Interesting conversation re: demographics

[Stichill_imp]

pdedse, you're in a good boating situation and you've beaten the game by buying a quality used boat. For me, a decent fresh lake water suitable for powerboating is 1-1/2 hours away. I can get onto the Ohio River in about 45 minutes, but it's a just big muddy ditch with who knows what floating in it. I like to go for a swim when the weather is warm. Boating is similar to motorcycling in that you have a sense of freedom to go where you want and linger where you want. It's a different experience than being in a car...it's that sense of outdoor motion. Boats lean into a turn just like a motorcycle. There's nothing better than being out on a dead flat calm lake in the morning or evening and just cutting arcs through the still water.

Oh, I don't know, being on a yacht tacking into a steady 15 knot breeze would beat it. But, that's just my opinion.

Oh, I don't know, being on a yacht tacking into a steady 15 knot breeze would beat it. But, that's just my opinion.
I guess I was referring to the zenith of the power boating avocation. Every leisure pursuit has that pinnacle moment that you strive for...

Well this conversation has taken an interesting turn.

For me no boating based event can top floating down a river while surrounded by a forest and being outnumbered by bald eagles (although many prefer the scenery offered by the rivers nestled within the arid canyons out east of here). My one man inflatable pontoon boat fits in the back of my truck and gets me to places that I simply can't access by foot. For me, spending a day on/in the river spey fishing (fly fishing) for steelhead is perhaps the ultimate activity. If I had to choose between fishing and motorcycling, well I suppose I already have as nothing has eaten into my motorcycling time more than fly fishing has. Ironically I took up fishing late in life, starting not too long before launching this forum.

However, to keep things somewhat on point, I can draw a few parallels between spey fishing and motorcycling. Key amongst them would be these things:
- Both are capable of offering intense moments fueled by adrenaline (be it pushing your riding skills on a challenging road (or dodging motorists in traffic) or running rapids between spots where you can stop to fish).
- Both require that you deal with certain "discomforts" (exposure to the elements, donning lots of gear, etc. — when it comes to riding and fishing, I've done both year round).
- Both activities demand that you truly engage yourself in the process (couch potatoes need not apply).
- Most people that I've met, currently know or might meet in the future will never engage in either pursuit.

Well said, Guth. Truth is, great experiences require at least some modicum of effort to prepare for and execute, not the least of which is hours of education and skills training, regardless of the pursuit.