Define voyaging.....

[Frank]

Been thinking.....

What is voyaging?

Distance between ports?
Number of ports or county's visited?
Time spent away from home?

Or.....a state of mind?

On one hand you have, amung many, amazing people like Bernard Mottessier who, although already sailing nearly all the way around, passing all the capes and on the final leg to win the race.....gave it all up to keep on sailing to 'save his soul"
There are so many that have amazing offshore adventures!

On the other hand, there are incredible sailors like Charles Stock who, during the coarse of over 40yrs put close to 80,000 documented nautical miles on his home finished little 16ft gaff cutter. His wife early on telling him he could sail anywhere he wanted....just be home for work monday. He sailed with his wife Joy and/or his children, but mostly solo. Worthy of note...without and engine.

So...the question is.....define voyaging.
Both the above were amazing sailors! Both knew the water better than 99.9990%  ever will. Both put tens of thousands of miles on.

Yet both on totally different terms..

What is your definition of voyaging?

[Bubba the Pirate]

I am a big fan of Motessier, the philosopher and the sailor.

For me, firstly, I would not want to impose my definition of 'voyaging' on another sailor.  But I think Motessier was on to something when he left the race and continued sailing. So, despite my impulse:

You are just sailing if you are only in it to win a race or to impress someone; if you are a stickler for nautical terminology or think you are better than the next rag picker.

If you sail because it is like going to church or because you like to share it with others; you love the way the stars or the sunrise change the texture of the sea or because sailing makes you feel connected to the ocean, the whales and the fish and the universe - then you are voyaging; whether you are out for an afternoon or a decade, across a pond or across *the* pond.

[CharlieJ]

really can't say. I've never really considered myself a "Voyager"  but instead, a "cruiser". I feel a voyager is someone who drops the lines, says goodbye to home port, and takes off into the world. Eric and Susan Hiscock come to mind. The Pardey's, Evans Starzinger and his wife Beth Leonard. James Baldwin on Atom.

Used to think that's what I'd do, and built my tri with blue water in mind always. Caribbean, Panama Canal, South Seas and keep heading west. That was 35 years ago though. Didn't happen.


I always leave with at least a vague destination in mind. The cruise may be open ended, but I generally know about where I'm planning to visit. Not that there is any time table involved ya unnerstand :)

[Frank]

Great reply Bubba
Grog to Ya!!  ;)

Edit:
Just read your reply again...
Heck....have another grog!!

[cap-couillon]

1. Go somewhere
2. Make enough money to leave
3. Leave

Repeat as required  ;D

[lance on cloud nine]

voyaging, I think, is not so much about distance or "blue water"....but about observing with more of your heart and less of your brain. no accessory will add more to the trip than the right partner.....not even close.

[CharlieJ]

voyaging, I think, is not so much about distance or "blue water"....but about observing with more of your heart and less of your brain. no accessory will add more to the trip than the right partner.....not even close.

Absolutely!! MUCH more pleasure with two

[SailorTom]

My short definition of "Cruiser" these days is, getting drunk in different ports with other cruisers.

A "Voyager" in my book is going someplace to explore the local culture, history, flora and fauna.

Not sure if a non-stop circumnavigation fits either, maybe "Explorer", but isn't the world pretty much completely explored already?  :o