5 Boating Facts that may surprise you

Boating has been around for approximately 8,000 years, and as you can imagine there are some fascinating boating facts floating around! From the Stone Age dugouts to today’s tight knit boating community, life on the water is full of surprising moments. Check out a few of our favorite fun facts from all those years in between:

A couple stands at the rear of a boat, embracing the boating lifestyle, a testament to Dockshare's rich maritime heritage.
1. 14-year-old Laura Dekker was the youngest person to solo sail around the world
Dekker announced her goal of sailing around the world in 2009 and set off on her journey in 2010 at just fourteen years old. Over the course of 518 days, she navigated the globe aboard her 40-foot sailboat, Guppy, completing the voyage in 2012 at the age of sixteen. Throughout the journey, her father remained a constant source of support and encouragement.
2. The English word “quarantine” comes from 17th century boating terminology
After spending time in quarantine over the past year, it’s fascinating to realize that sailors were experiencing something similar centuries ago. The term quaranta giorni—Italian for “forty days”—refers to the period sailors were required to remain aboard their ships after arriving in port, before they could step onto land. This practice was used to prevent the spread of plagues and other contagious diseases.
3. Ship speeds are measured in knots– literally!

One knot is equal to one nautical mile per hour. The term “knots” dates back to the 17th century, when sailors measured their ship’s speed using a tool called a “common log.” This was a rope with evenly spaced knots, which they would let trail behind the ship for a set amount of time. By counting how many knots passed through their hands, sailors could estimate the vessel’s speed.

4. Sailing has been in the Olympics since 1900

The Olympic games have long featured sailing as one of its core sports, with the event making it’s debut in 1900. Since then, it has only been omitted once, during the 1904 Olympic games. Sailing is also unique in that it is one of the few sports where men and women compete together. Great Britain holds the record for the most gold medals in sailing, a reflection of the country’s deep roots in the sport. Close behind is the USA, with other frequent medalists including Norway, Spain, and France. 

5. The COVID-19 pandemic created a boom in boat sales

As people spent more time at home, many recognized the benefits of owning boats and watercrafts to safely enjoy the outdoors. In 2020, an estimated $47 billion was spent on boat purchases in the U.S. With boat sales continuing to soar, this trend is expected to carry into 2021. As more boaters take to the waterways, we’re here to connect them with private dock owners, offering a convenient way for dock owners to rent out their spaces while earning extra income.

The world of boating has so much rich history and we are looking forward to the future. Visit us next month for more boating facts. 

We hope to make private docksharing a part of every boater’s life, just like a common log in the 17th century. Let’s make history together! Happy boating!