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Secret Ways Anyone Can Get On A Boat This Summer

Ever stared longingly at a sailboat bobbing in a lake or at a yacht slowly meandering along the horizon and wondered, “How do I make that happen for me?” Yeah, we have too. There’s something soothing about being on the water, feeling the push and pull of the tide and the slow rise and fall of the waves. (A six-pack of White Claw on hand doesn’t hurt either.) But have no fear—just because you don’t own a mega yacht, that doesn’t mean a day at sea is out of reach. We’ve chatted with all our sailor friends and found 6 secret ways you can get out on the water this summer without having to be a billionaire.

Rent a houseboat

There’s no better way to experience a stunningly beautiful body of water than by houseboat. Forget zipping around on a speedboat or cruising via pontoon: By renting a houseboat, you get the benefits of hotel-like accommodation without having to leave the water (or even the dock—many houseboats are moored in place). For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, stay in one of America’s most famous—and most historic—houseboat communities in Sausalito, just north of San Francisco, where you’ll temporarily be part of a tight-knit community built around a group of quirky, colorful homes on the water.

Sign up for sailing school

Sailing in Minneapolis might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the Twin Cities. But Minnesota is the Land of 10,000 Lakes, so sailing is just one of the many things you can do in the warmer months. Lake Harriet, in the charming Linden Hills neighborhood, is a beautiful lake free from loud motorboats and filled instead with sail boats moored in the shallows.

Rent a boat for the day

Captain your own pontoon on the scenic waterways around Hilton Head Island, South Carolina—no captain’s license required! Before setting sail, you’ll receive a professional orientation on navigating the area, along with recommendations on the best things to see and do. Be sure to keep an eye out for bottlenose dolphins as you meander along Broad Creek and anchor up near the famous sandbar in the May River.

Go underwater

For just $50 per person, book time aboard (and below!) a mighty vessel called Ocean Expeditions. We’re certain this is a ship unlike any you’ve seen before. You’ll sail around pretty Catalina Island, right off the coast of Southern California, but rather than taking in the sights from above, you’ll go down to the lower decks.

Go fish

If fishing doesn’t come to mind when you think of the Lone Star State, it should! Texas’s long Gulf Coast is full of great catches. Spend the day fishing near the coastal town of Kemah, just southeast of Houston, for the chance to reel in redfish, flounder, and bay snapper on this 4-hour guided fishing tour.

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