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How to Date a Sailor
by Contributing Writer
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Overview
Sailing is analogous to a relationship: you need to be flexible, you need to communicate, and, if the wind is just right, you can end up going somewhere great. Sailors are free-spirited, adventurous and exciting people to be in relationships with. Whether or not you've skippered yourself, with a few easy tips you can snag yourself a captain--and after that, it's smooth sailing.
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Step 1
Decide what kind of sailor you want to date. Sailors differ drastically amongst themselves. There are many kinds of boats and many different kinds of people on them. Do you fancy yourself sipping champagne on a yacht while cruising around Caribbean islands? Or do you prefer a rugged little boat where your dinner is whatever you can catch over the side? Do you want to date a day sailor who takes boats out for a few hours as a leisure activity or someone who goes out on trips where, for months at a time, there's only sky and sea visible in every direction?
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Step 2
Learn the ropes. Read a book like David Seidman's "The Complete Sailor"; watch a movie that familiarizes you with life on the water, from "The Old Man and the Sea" to "Pirates of the Carribean." Add words like "starboard" and "port" to your vocabulary. You want to know what your new lover means when he tells you he's "coming about."
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Step 3
Figure out where the sailors you want are. Yacht clubs and sailing schools often have events such as BBQs and cocktail parties where their members can mix and mingle. Get yourself on the mailing list for the events; meet someone who's a member and can invite you as their plus-one. A lot of cities also have sailing clubs; search on-line and see what you can find in your area.
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Step 4
Dress the part. If you're going for a fancy yacht, think St. Tropez chic--silky tunics, leather sandals, designer sunglasses. If you want the more rugged sailor, get some good deck sneakers (you don't want to scuff their beloved boat) and cultivate a more natural look.
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- Remember, while dating sailors can have it's perks (travel to exotic locations, experiences you can't get on land), it can also have it's drawbacks: sailors are generally fairly independent people. After all, it's the solitude and peacefulness of connecting with nature on the water that appeals to them most. If you tend to be more needy in relationships, dating a sailor might not be for you.
- Remember, while dating sailors can have it's perks (travel to exotic locations, experiences you can't get on land), it can also have it's drawbacks: sailors are generally fairly independent people. After all, it's the solitude and peacefulness of connecting with nature on the water that appeals to them most. If you tend to be more needy in relationships, dating a sailor might not be for you.
- Always wear a life jacket. You want a backup plan in case you fall too deep--in romance and on the water.
- Always wear a life jacket. You want a backup plan in case you fall too deep--in romance and on the water.
