Last weekend, a new Scout 530 LXF pulled into our Loggerhead Marina in St. Pete, Fla. Shiny black hull, quad Mercs, black hardtop, matching black outriggers and two satellite domes — also black, of course.

“Oh, to have that boat,” I said to my wife, envy obviously written all over my face.

“It’s a beauty, alright,” she responded, “but we wouldn’t want it. You see those two satellite domes up there? They tell me those people are always connected to the world. For me, that would totally defeat the true benefit of being out on our boat — being disconnected.” After I thought about it, I realized she was right on.

I guess that’s why we all we have aboard our Pursuit is a Garmin GPS/fishfinder. One of the greatest joys of fishing or cruising offshore in the Gulf of Mexico is that we leave our computers, bills and hectic daily lives behind every time we cast off from the dock. Why when we’re about 10 miles out, even our cellphones quit working. There’s a feeling of release in it all.

For us, being connected only to the water and family is what owning a boat is all about. We are average boaters who have been drawn by the realization that our boat means being connected live and in person to each other, and connection is the product every salesperson in a dealership should be emphasizing.

Check this out: The average person reportedly spends more than eight hours a day looking at a cellphone, computer and television. Teenagers now text and receive an average of 75 or more messages daily. More than half of U.S. teens spend an average of seven hours and 22 minutes of screen time daily. Ever find yourself sitting in front of the television with your laptop going? I do. Is that multitasking?

The very devices that have so improved our lives, increased our knowledge, accelerated our communications, and brought us news about the follies in Washington are also the connection to the rat race from which we all want — perhaps need — to escape.

I’m not knocking the owner of that Scout, mind you. I’d love to own a boat like that, minus certain equipment. I’ve always believed the choice of boat is a reflection of the owner. It’s a personal choice. It’s why we have so many brands and models in this industry.

If the Scout owner needs to be connected, I respect that. However, my guess is that most boater are more like me, drawn to boating because it disconnects us from the rat race and, in turn, connects us with family and friends in an experiential way. Moreover, it doesn’t matter if it’s a ski boat, cruiser, pontoon or auxiliary. Every boat provides the same opportunity to disconnect, if even for a few hours.

Studies have documented that time spent on the water leaves participants feeling happier and less pressured. Indeed, a day anchored up with a fishing line over the side, feet up, a cool beverage in-hand and time to simply slow down and think about good things can put a lot of today’s complexities into reasonable focus. I recall when growing up that my parents were concerned about how much TV time was too much. Welcome to the modern-day version of that problem.

I imagine there are many people who relish the idea of disconnecting and enjoying some peaceful family relaxation. Everyone in every dealership can genuinely claim: We don’t sell boats; we sell the great escape.