Every Thanksgiving Day we gather with family and friends to acknowledge, celebrate, and express gratitude for those special things that make our lives worth living.
And, as boaters, we experience a literal boatload of blessings to be thankful for that most other people only daydream about.
Here are our top seven reasons to be celebrate in gratitude this Thanksgiving Day:
Every day on the water presents a rich celebration for the senses.
The sharp tang of sea air in our nostrils. The warm embrace of sunlight and seawater on our skin. The riot of blues from azure to aquamarine to turquoise to cobalt, everywhere we look. The cries of gulls, the explosions of dive-bombing pelicans, the chuckling of water under the hull while sitting at anchor. The taste of salt spray on our tongue as we laugh out loud with joy. In the boat, on the water, all of our senses seem sharper.
Sunrises and sunsets on the water gift us with profound moments of solitude and serenity.
Watching the sun rise over the first morning coffee becomes an almost worshipful event, as we see the world awaken moment by moment with the shifting angles of light and gradually intensifying color. And there’s nothing quite so romantic as holding hands with a loved one, sharing the anticipation as the last rays of sunshine disappear over the horizon, and toasting the end of another perfect day on the water.
Every day out on the boat is a day away from the stress of the urgent.
Although we can choose to stay connected via email and cell phone, why would we? Being out on the boat allows us to totally disconnect from gut-wrenching traffic, ringing phones, pinging messenger apps, constant emails, and seemingly “urgent” interruptions. Unplug. Check out for the day (or the weekend). Breathe. Be. As Henry Thoreau put it so profoundly, “When I sit here by the sea and listen to the sound of waves, I feel free from all obligations and people of this world.”
We get the chance to play outside and be kids again.
Swan diving off the bow, skinny-dipping from the swim step, wakeboarding, water skiing, snorkeling, SCUBA diving, or just sitting in an innertube or silly inflatable unicorn with a cold beer requires you to move the body, relax the mind, and act like a kid for a change. Move. Jump. Stretch. Sweat. Laugh. Spend the day at a sand bar or secluded anchorage, celebrate, and be grateful for your ability to play.
Nothing tastes better than seafood you’ve caught and cooked yourself.
Whether it’s wahoo or bonefish, crab or conch, dorado or lobster, when you catch it yourself, grill it perfectly or chop it for ceviche, seafood served within moments of the catch is like magic in your mouth. And if you can share the experience of that special catch with friends or family, pair it with the perfect beverage, and serve it in the open air out on deck, you are a ritual participant in the ocean’s bounty.
Boating gives us the chance to learn something new every time we throw off the lines.
Learning something new every day engages our minds and bodies and keeps us young. Whether it’s a new knot, a new anchorage, or a new fishing technique, we’re always grateful for new information that helps us be better boaters.
We love and are grateful for our boating community.
Boaters represent a diverse, thriving community. Whether you’re a doctor, lawyer, accountant, teacher, firefighter, salesperson, nuclear physicist, actor, nurse, or retail worker, boats are great equalizers that help us realize how much we have in common as human beings. If you’re the master of a 70-foot yacht, a 21-foot flats boat, or anything in between, we’re grateful for everything we’ve shared -- from recipes to anchorages to maintenance tips to spare parts. We’re grateful for the dock parties, the raft-ups, the potlucks, and the friendships we’ve formed while sharing information and solving problems together.
Everyone here at Intermarine Boats is extremely grateful to you for your business. We extend our warmest wishes to you and yours for a safe and happy Thanksgiving, whether you’re spending it on your boat or at the traditional family table.
If there’s Intermarine Boats can do to make your boating experience more enjoyable, we’re more than happy to be of service. Please don’t hesitate to reach out by calling or dropping by in person at any of our South Florida locations.
May you experience all the warmth and joy of the upcoming Holiday season.
November 28, 2019
