The family that sails together ...makes memories to last a lifetime: SouthFlorida.com

The first time we took our son boating, we couldn't pry his 8-year-old hands off the wheel. Close supervision was called for, but we could relax in the sea breeze while he learned to steer a steady course. By the end of the day he also knew how to steer on a range and he was learning to hold a compass course. Most amazing of all, he followed orders in a snap. We hardly recognized the kid!

Whether you're already a skipper or want to learn the ropes, Southwest Cruising Yachts in North Fort Myers has a plan for you. For those who already know boating basics, the company offers a large range of power and sailboats that are available for "bareboat" charter. That means you're captain, cook and crew.

If you're not yet qualified, Vic and Barb Hansen are 20-year veterans at providing just the right training for you. Youngsters are welcome and you'll have a family vacation like no other - one that requires you all to pull together to get where you're going. Best of all, the boating is done in the protected, picturesque waters of Pine Island Sound, which is peppered with pretty islands.

First decide whether you want to learn sailing or take a powerboat course. Choose from a variety of studies starting with basic sailing or a first-mate course and ending with Advanced Coastal Cruising. If you want certification that allows you to "bareboat" worldwide (including one of the Hansens' large yachts), take the course in bareboat charters.

OK, it is school with books and charts and even some tests, but it's also ferocious fun for everyone. Jump over the side for a swim. Stop on remote sand spits to look for seashells. Watch for dolphins off the bow. Go ashore on historic islands such as Useppa, which has a museum, or Cabbage Key, a favorite for belly-busting breakfast platters. Let the waves rock you to sleep in a cozy bunk. Teach the kids to tie knots, "flemish" a line, make an eye splice and swab a deck. Ashore they're chores; on a boat they're teamwork.

Rates depend on the course, type and size of the boat and time of year. Each student can bring one non-enrolled spouse or child at 50 percent off. The boat is your floating home. You sleep in a comfortable cabin and cook your own provisions in a galley furnished with all the basics.