From the Boathouse: A view of boating’s past and future

Ahoy!

New Year’s Day is next Thursday, and I want to wish everyone a very happy and prosperous new year.

As you leap into 2015, take a moment to reflect on your past boating experiences and what lies ahead for nautical enjoyment. Additionally, make a resolution to introduce someone new to the boating lifestyle.

I shared my annual poem in my last column, so now it is time for my annual captain’s log, from the past to the future.

Time — 00:01 on Jan.1, 2015.

I just finished checking the navigational equipment, including the GPS and radars, onboard a newly built yacht that is under my command. As we deliver the yacht to its new homeport, I scan the horizon for other boats and traffic and see that we are all alone on this moonless night.

The yacht effortlessly slices through the small ocean swells, and we maintain our course during the final leg of a long voyage. From the bridge with the security monitors, I can see that nearly all of my crew members are cheering in the new year.

I know the onboard celebration will not disturb anyone while we are cruising miles off the coast, the stars reflecting off the glassy smooth waters. But all of a sudden, out of nowhere, a nameless ghostly looking ship sides in on a very close parallel course.

A little startled and very curious, I come alongside its beam to take a closer look. I step out on the bridge wing, where I can faintly see celebrations onboard the dark, shadowy ship. It looks like a reflection of New Year’s past aboard an ancient wooden schooner.

I can see the helmsman trying to steer a large wooden wheel as he fights to keep the boat on course while looking at an ancient binnacle. His is reading a crudely drawn chart that appears to be a worn treasure map. Below him on the deck, the crew is cheering in the new year with mugs of rum being scooped from wooden barrels, and a fiddler is playing a lively tune.

Oops, we almost bump beams with a passing swell. I correct my course and check my electronics, but I do not have any targets on my radar, not even this ship from the past.

As I correct my bearings, I glance out to spot another vessel that has appeared alongside from nowhere. I notice a futuristic, sleek-looking yacht that appears to be effortlessly skimming the waters.

I glance through a large porthole to see what looks like New Year’s future with the yacht’s interior better than a five-star hotel. Now, the helmsman is using voice recognition and touch screens to control the vessel.

The charts are virtual images floating in the air, and the head’s-up displays are detailing vital information about the yacht for a safe voyage.

No fiddler is in sight, but the crew is watching the Boathouse TV show while selecting dinner from the evening’s specially prepared menu. I like the listing for the chef’s special, which is always my favorite and can be a real treat.

Hey, is that a — oops, I am suddenly awakened from a nap by the beeping warning signal from the GPS chart plotter, alerting us that the harbor entrance buoy is nearing. I glance from the bridge’s soft leather couch to see my first officer standing his watch. I know we are getting close to the harbor when I glance out the bridge windows and can see the faint lights on shore.

As I rise to take the conns to enter the harbor, I cannot help but scan the displays and the horizon for those two boats — or was it just a dream?

All safe, yacht is securely moored at home slip.

End captain’s log:

Happy New Year!

As always, just keep an eye to the weather for any changes. Please be boat smart and boat safe. Lastly, please boat responsibly and look behind you before you turn the wheel at the helm.

The original boating program, “Boathouse TV & Radio Shows,” has stretched from coast to coast for more than two decades. See the details at https://www.boathousetv.com, https://www.facebook.com/boathouseradio and https://www.twitter.com/boathouseradio.

Safe voyages!

MIKE WHITEHEAD is a boating columnist for the Daily Pilot. Send marine-related thoughts and story suggestions to mike@boathousetv.com or go to https://www.boathousetv.com.