Have you ever dreamed of sailing away? Of course it would be on a brilliant sunny day with a light breeze of 12-15 knots and a perfectly clear azure sky.

Your yacht's bow would part the turquoise sea and you would relax to the sounds of the soft splashes against your hull. You would listen to a caressing wind pushing your taut sail or your small child gleefully singing out, `are we there yet?' for the 5th time in half an hour.

Maybe you aren't into sailing. Perhaps you'd like to jump into your motorboat and cruise away with the family for a day or the weekend. And you want to be there in a few hours? Bermuda offers many enchanting places to drop anchor.

Most of these can be read about in the `Yachtsman's Guide to Bermuda.' However, if you don't want to go offshore, the Great Sound near Dockyard is hard to beat. This is particularly true if you have the type of vessel to afford you the luxury of sleeping and camping out with your family.

After a day's frolic of fishing, swimming, picnicking, and putting about you may long for a tranquil floating dock and a hot shower? And late afternoon you might start thinking about an ice cold beer or a chilled fruit punch with a nice dinner? Now is the time to drift into Dockyard.

There you can find the Dockyard Marina managed by Mark Osinga.

It is located within the confines of the century old Royal Naval Dockyard breakwater, at the intersection of the North, South, and Dundonald shipping channels. The deep water port allows easy accommodation for a comfortable berth.

Berth rates for the day include fresh water: $16 per day for 20 ft.

$24 per day for 30 ft.

$32 per day for 40 ft.

$44.50 per day for 50 ft. You will find dockside electricity (110v/30A & 220v /50A) for $4 daily.

Mr. Osinga is a competent and knowledgeable manager. A certified accountant, he is fair and friendly in all his dealings. He is popular with all the boat people.

He goes out and about the marina splicing and repairing ropes, checking the lines and docks for safety. If your water pump or bilge pump should falter, chances are he can fix them.

If a storm comes up you can bet Mark's out to the marina making sure boats and residents are okay. The Convenience store, completed in 1849, is ran by Linda Lightbourne, Manager's Assistant. The building was originally constructed as housing for civilian officers and their families.

It is a charming, old-fashioned store stocked with cold juices and drinks, snacks and sandwiches, yachting and boating books, buoys and rope, teak oil, postcards, film, etc.

People are always popping in to ask questions. The store is near the ferry stop so tourists and newcomers have questions they direct to Mrs. Lightbourne.

Mrs. Lightbourne is a friendly and helpful person with many talents from boat repairs to cooking curried chicken or fish cakes. All the residents have a chat with `Miss Linda' at least once a week. When Miss Linda was asked what she enjoys most about her job, she responded, meeting new and interesting people.

Neighbourhood builds in a marina Most folks go to the store in the morning for The Royal Gazette , a sweet bun and coffee or a bag of ice for the day. The yachties are always needing a bolt or piece for this or that. The kids like popping in after school for ice cream or a bag of chips.

If you are looking for a resident who isn't aboard, chances are Miss Linda might know the story as everyone checks in and out with her on a regular basis. A real plus about staying at the Dockyard Marina is that it is quiet, relaxing and there is a safe family feeling to the place. There are several families who have opted for lifestyle changes and live year round with families and pets aboard their vessels.

On a calm night you might hear one of the yachtsmen playing his dulcimer.

Another chap plays the guitar. As long as they don't sing you will welcome the melodies.

There are gangway gates for security. The residents have keys. Isabella, a well known Boston terrier on C-Dock, is ever vigilant. She usually sits in the pilot house of Yacht Sea-Clusion where she sees most of the wondering foot travel of tourists and locals. If a stranger approaches, you will definitely hear her bark until she doesn't feel threatened. Chances are she threatened the stranger.

You have four fine restaurants to choose from with varying foods such as seafood, pizza, burgers, soups and chowders.

The kids will enjoy the Bermuda Maritime Museum and the snorkel park.

You can stroll around with your family and visit the artists. Clocktower shopping mall is opened until 5pm.

You can bring out your old Bermuda shorts and favourite shirt, poke around, read the historical markers, or throw out a fishing line at the point.

Do yourself a favour, before you have an early night, look at the glow of the island lights in the far distance. Take a few moments to smell the sea and reflect upon all the beauty the area provides.

In the morning when you awake, appreciate the serenity. Savour your favourite breakfast beverage on the bow or stern of your boat as it gently sways in light breezes.

For some reason, breakfast is wonderful on a boat during the weekend. Maybe it's because you are unhurried and can "sit off''.

The smell of coffee brewing, buttered toast and bacon cooking, makes the boat homey and a cozy place to be. The aroma will arouse all persons from sleep.

After your tribe devours breakfast throw some bread overboard; the fishes will entertain you with their jumps and splashy feedings.

You may feel reluctant to leave. Chances are, you and your family will remember drifting into Dockyard for years to come.

THE NAME SAYS IT ALL -- Boat owners who choose to live on their vessels call all the world's oceans their home. And Boston Terrier Isabella, the family dog on Sea-Clusion is known as "the best little watchdog on Dockyard docks''.

Graphic file name: BATTY LIVING THE GOOD LIFE -- Long-time Dockyard Marina resident Terry Tucker is smiling because he doesn't have any grass to mow.

Graphic file name: HAPPY