Boats in Boston Harbor

When I was 15 or 16, my father and I had one of our major fallouts over a boat trip. My parents were divorced, and he was supposed to take my sister and me on vacation for a week each summer. That year, he picked us up for a surprise trip. After a long drive from NJ to Maine, we arrived at a dock to board a small sailing ship for a week cruise.

I am not a good traveler. I had been and continue to be sick in cars, planes and especially on boats. It is possible that my father didn't know of my situation since we didn't spend much time together, but I would figure that he had experienced some of my episodes during my childhood. Anyway, I was not going on that boat! After a very uncomfortable ride back, we ended up back at my mom's in NJ the next day.

In my 40s, I am still a reluctant boater. I have been willing to ride a quick ferry across the Hudson river; a catamaran cruse on my honeymoon remains a sickening but funny memory; and I have come to enjoy occasional canoeing or peddle boating on small lakes or rivers. Thus, I am very surprised how prominently boats figure in my Massachusetts life.

My son has discovered a love of sailing. I attend his races, and recently he took me out for a sunfish sail on our local lake. I'm OK with him on the water if he doesn't tilt the boat too far, and he agrees to return me to shore immediately if I don't feel well. I can reach into the water to put cool water on my face and neck when panic causes me to overheat.

Last Thursday, however, I willingly arranged a boat trip for our family. Granted, it was a quick ferry trip, but I loved it. We sped from the Boston pier to the Harbor Islands. We could see city skyline views as well as busy life on the water. The ride was not more that 30 minutes. But that's a start for me.

Boarding our ferry. The top level provided a shady and breezy ride.


There's lots to see in all directions.


A multi-sailed ship.


We saw this old-fashioned, brown-sailed ship from the shore.


A lobster boat is surrounded by a flock of eager seagulls.


Tankers and tiny sailboats share the sea.


Don't dump your wastes in this water.


A catamaran under a bridge.


This guy's enjoying his boat even when it's not moving. He's reading BoatUS magazine.


The variety and beauty of boats on the water was amazing. There is so much commerce and recreation happening here.