Yachting as therapy: what to be prepared for?

Yachting and life

Yachting, in a sense, is like one big metaphor for our life. We overcome difficulties, learn from our own and others’ mistakes, discover new things and rediscover old ones. On board our yachts, in principle, that same life takes place. Some people prefer cruises on a charter boat, others prefer a personal yacht - it doesn’t matter at all. All that matters is how yachting affects us.

Yachting is real therapy. However, as in the case of going to a psychotherapist, you need to be prepared for this very therapy. Continuing the analogy with psychotherapy, it should also be pointed out that nothing happens by itself. Before going to the doctor, you have a goal - to be cured. To do this, you are ready for certain actions, sometimes restrictions. 

However, your desire to get well is the driver of the entire process. A psychotherapist cannot correct behavioral mechanisms without the help of the patient, and yachting does not have a therapeutic effect without the proper approach. There are several aspects to remember before going to sea.

Tolerance and respect on board a yacht

Over the past decade, the word “tolerance” has acquired a negative connotation among the broad masses. However, this word perfectly describes the process of life on board a yacht. If you're traveling with a crew, you know exactly what we're talking about.

A critical aspect of boat travel that many people underestimate is the limited space available on a yacht. Not only personal space will be limited, but also public space. Both pros and cons come from this. The main advantage of limited space is getting closer to crew members or crew. You can get to know a person better in a few weeks at sea than in a lifetime on land.

On the other hand, if conflict situations occur on board, it will be much more difficult to escape from them. Moreover, while at sea, it is basically impossible to escape from conflict situations. You will have to face disagreements head on and be able to find a way out of them.

The above does not mean that you will constantly quarrel with your loved ones, friends or crew on the yacht. It’s not at all necessary, but you need to be prepared for it. You should not go to sea if you still have unresolved issues and disagreements in the marina. Going to sea while in a quarrel with a crew member and hoping for a pleasant cruise is tantamount to a situation where a couple on the verge of separation is trying to have a child in the hope that “everything will work out on its own.” It won't get better. Solve problems immediately.

Codependency at sea

The sea, no matter how beautiful it may be, is a dangerous place that forces people to act together. Each crew member capable of doing at least something becomes a cog in the overall mechanism. And even if at first glance the gear may seem unimportant, in reality it turns out that without it the entire team works less effectively.

The crew aboard the boat are codependent. Even if there are people on the yacht who are just relaxing, their life and safety directly depend on the skipper. This direct codependency between crew members should become an obstacle to quarrels and disagreements.

Cooperation, team spirit, the desire to discover new things or a joint desire to get quality rest - all this should hold the team together. In exchange, everyone will receive a pleasant sailing experience.

Everything should be within reasonable limits

There is no need to overpower yourself and become an altruist while another crew member sits on your neck. If you realize that disagreement is starting to spoil the atmosphere on board too much, then seek help from other crew members. Tolerance and reconciliation are good, but within reasonable limits.

How to diversify the life of the team?

If sailing conditions allow, then spend joint culinary evenings, play board games, have intimate conversations and watch movies. If your sailing holiday is more active, then involve the crew in direct control of the yacht.

It is also useful to involve crew members in planning the route. Let them offer their ideas, voice their proposals regarding the next destination. The crew should take part in the cruise not only as hired deck workers.

What awaits us at sea?

Great, our imaginary psychotherapist is happy - we have settled the issues regarding the team and crew. We understood how codependency works on board, why you can’t escape from it, and how to keep the team’s mood in good shape. However, we have one more serious adventure ahead of us - a dive into the deepest jungle of our yachting life. You need to look into your own heart.

The boat is like a separate universe

A yacht is a separate system, which, although it is part of planet Earth, has extremely interesting processes going on inside. It has its own rules, its own traditions and a completely different style of life. The Apache Indians believed that every time a person crossed the threshold, a person died and was reborn. The same applies to boarding a yacht.

When you step on board, you leave behind your “earthly self”, which accompanies you on land. The “earthly self” gives way to the “sea self.” The “sea self” is more honest and simpler than the “earthly self” - on board you are who you are. Your “sea self” consists only of what you are and what you can do on board the boat, nothing more.

The sea, in principle, very skillfully tears off the masks from people, exposing their soul. The hardships and difficulties that the elements prepare for us reveal everything that we would like to hide and forget, hide from others and ourselves.

Let the sea reveal people

It is on board the boat that people open up. If you take a closer look at the crew at sea, you will notice how different they are from the people they were on land. The changes may be subtle, especially at evening anchorage, but they are there.

Everyone who goes to sea at least for a short time will have a meeting with the “sea self”. The only difference is how exactly people will meet their “sea self”. Some will be glad to taste real sea freedom, some will be wary of this, and some are tied to land - and their freedom lies in the wild steppes, mountains, lowlands and river mouths.

Everyone has their own path, but everyone should try their luck and meet their marine alter ego. At least once and for a little while. Who knows, maybe the endless expanses of the sea will become a real home?

Wildlife is within us

And the “sea self” allows us to take a break from ourselves. No more masks, no more daily routine. Only a boat, trusted people and the sea. For many, yachting is a way to get away from the hustle and bustle and feel free. However, in reality, a boat holiday is much more than just a way of relaxation.

Going out to sea on a yacht is a moment of unity with nature. Yachting is about slow and measured cruises. Yachting is a fight against the elements at regattas. Yachting is thinking about the surface of the water. Yachting is always about connecting with nature.

Steer your boat, but let it guide you through the boundaries of nature. Lead the boat on its course, but follow it yourself - and you will be surprised how beneficial proximity to nature will affect you.

People have recently left the wild prairies and dank caves; our animal insides require unity with wild nature and its power. Don’t run away from this desire - enjoy the beautiful views of coastlines, cliffs, and uninhabited islands in silence. Swimming on the open sea will be especially impressive. Yachting gives you the opportunity to touch the elements - water, wind, sun. Thanks to this, you will again feel the long-lost sense of wonder and amazement.

Comfort zone

You've probably heard more than once or twice that you need to get out of your comfort zone. In general, the statement is correct, but this must be done consciously. Rushing to cross the Atlantic without experience is not the best way to get out of your comfort zone.

However, yachting offers many other options for safely leaving your comfort zone. In principle, even a short cruise along the coast is a way out, especially if you mainly work in an office.

Open your mind

This is not about the opening of consciousness in an esoteric or religious sense. Not at all! Opening your consciousness is a direct and honest dialogue with yourself. The sea offers a unique chance for quiet, solitary reflection and self-awareness. Even if there are four other people on board with you, you will find the time you need alone.

At sea you get the opportunity to explore yourself. No matter how old you are, it is never too early or too late to delve into the depths of your “I”. Rest, gain strength. Open the secret lockers of your heart and mind.

As the wise master Oogway said from the cartoon “Kung Fu Panda”: “Clarity disappears in excitement, but if you let the waves calm down, the answer will become obvious.” Let the real sea, outwardly stormy and wild, calm the waves within you. And all the answers will come by themselves.

Take a break from social roles

In life, we are pursued by roles and role models - this is normal, this is how society works. On land, we are parents, friends, partners, specialists... For many, unfortunately, these roles become cells within which a person’s entire personality is built. However, we are much larger and stronger than any role.

One of the options to get rid of your usual roles for a while is yachting. Everyone is equal at sea. Indeed, there is a skipper or captain on board, but he also has tasks and responsibilities - often much more than the crew. On board the yacht, everyone is busy with something, and everyone contributes to the common cause.

Discover a brave new world

Yachting can be described with a good phrase: “Easy to learn, difficult to master” (Easy to learn, difficult to master). You can learn how to sail a yacht, just like how to play chess, in a week. In a week you will be able to moor on your own, go out to sea, and communicate with the coast guard.

However, even three lives are not enough to master yachting. When you step on board a yacht, you must admit to yourself that this is a journey of a lifetime. This is a journey into a brave new world of adventures, difficulties, successes and problems. And we’re not just talking about bad weather and headwinds.

However, it's all worth it.

Based on an essay by Renzo Crovo on yachting.com.

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18.05.2024