Capable and carless

My son Ian, 24, is a free spirit. He graduated from college in 2007. Since then, he has worked on an organic farm and in my husband's business, Red Oak Renovations. He is en route as we speak to the Bahamas for four months to live simply by the ocean and surf until spring, when he will likely return here for a few months until it's planting season.

What sets Ian apart from most of his friends: he owns a sailboat -- but not a car or a house or condominium. David, who invited him down to the Bahamas last winter, inherited an extra 24-foot sailboat from a friend who died. David gave the boat to Ian because he likes Ian.

Like his surfboard, Ian's sailboat has zero carbon emissions.

Ian manages without a car even though it's inconvenient and unpredictable. He has to ask others for rides and to borrow their car. Even though it's a hassle to consider him when making plans for my car -- which I share with my husband -- I'm glad he hasn't caved in yet and bought a car. I'm willing to help him out so he can remain car-less for now.

Selfishly, the car would be parked in my driveway for the four months while he's in the Bahamas. So I'm grateful.

There are benefits. He has more money to save for other things. He sees his friends more often because he depends on them for rides to get places. He is not encumbered by the hassle of owning a car. If he had a car payment, he might not be as free to take off for the Bahamas for the winter.

I loaned him a copy of "How to Live Well without a Car," by Chris Balish.

"At first I thought I didn't need it," Ian said. "But when I read it, it reinforced my decision and gave me new ideas on how I manage without a car."

Most of the book is geared towards tips for car-free urban dwellers. We live in a small town in Central Massachusetts, 2 miles from the small shopping area and commuter rail to Boston. It's not an ideal place to live without a car.

Ian proves that it is possible to avoid car ownership. Ian demonstrates how much fun it is to opt for sailboat ownership over car ownership, and that it's possible.

When he stopped by Sonus, where his brother works as a computer engineer to drop off a bit of holiday cheer [using my car], the other engineers said, "Get out of here fast before we get too jealous that you're headed for the Bahamas."