Yesterday I received my new Cruising World, its their annual Boat of the Year issue. As I was skimming over all the beautiful winners, I remembered something I just read in Sailing Magazine. It is no secret that the numbers of sailors are in decline and boat builders are struggling. At our upcoming annual boat show there will be an area called the “Affordability Pavilion” in an effort to show how boat ownership can be comparable to other leisure activities. They are showcasing boats up to $25,000 in this pavilion.
Back to the BOTY winners, we have selections ranging on the low side, a J/95 at $175,000 to the Oyster 655 at a whopping $3,500,000. They are both beautiful sailboats and I would love to have either one of them, but it seems to me that if only 1% of our population is considered to be wealthy and according to statistics from the National Sporting Goods Association that indicate only about .8% of our US population sails, it seems to me that perhaps we need some more affordable sailboats that families would be interested in. I always get a chuckle when I read about a new sailboat in the $115,000 range that is referred to as “a good starter sailboat for a young family.” Maybe the young millionaire family, but not most young families. I know there are sailboats that are less than $25,000 from searching for our own sailboat, a Precision 18, but I’m talking about sailboats a family could realistically spend a weekend on. A 18 or 22 foot sailboat just isn’t going to be large enough for the modern family to be comfortable on for more than a day sail. Jumping to the next size up, 25 feet, now we’re at $45,000 and the new sailboats I’ve been on in this category feel like a big bath tub down below. I just can’t see enjoying my time lounging in the salon surrounded by all that white fiberglass.
Somehow, boat manufactures need to figure out a way to bring the cost of quality down so that it can be more affordable, in my opinion, if sailing is going to be something we preserve as a life pastime. I read recently that sailing youth numbers are up, but that when those youths leave college, they leave sailing as well. Looking at the prices of even small daysailors, it is no wonder to me, with the high cost of tuition, many graduates can’t even afford to live on their own let alone buy a sailboat. While the used market remains strong, I don’t think that helps the boat manufactures much. As middle aged empty nesters, we are looking at 25 to 35 year old boats that we consider affordable. Luckily we both prefer the designs of those eras. Many people do not however, and if your family wants modern conveniences afforded by newer designs, then you are looking at a lot of money. 100,000 dollars and up is not what most people consider affordable for a leisure activity. Yes, you can get a twenty year mortgage on your new yacht, but a 20% down payment is still beyond the reach of most families I know. Not to mention the fact that you will pay an additional 64,500 dollars in interest to the bank over the course of the loan for that 100k boat at todays rates.
I have a candy bar theory that I will share with you. When I was a teenager in the early 80’s I could buy a candy bar for 25 cents. I made $5.00 per hour at my part-time job. Today that same candy bar, which seems smaller, costs one dollar at the convenience store. By my reasoning that same part-time job should pay 20 dollars per hour. Not happening is it? Eight dollars per hour seams to be the going rate where I live. So back to boats, same problem, boats cost way more and wages have not kept pace. At least not for the typical family. So in my opinion, either sailboat prices need to come down or wages need to go up. The alternative, which seems most likely, is that fewer and fewer people will experience the joys of sailing. I hope this isn’t the case.
I get the same feeling every year when the BOTY issue comes out. Especially in these economic times, it’s hard to see that a lot of people are going to spring for a boat that costs a half million bucks or more.
Pat’s and my retirement plan is to sell the house in Albuquerque and buy a boat with the proceeds. We’re a long way from retiring yet, but when we do, we won’t be looking an new boats — there are a lot of good used ones out there.
Well said! I’d be interested in posting this Sailing Crisis blog on my blog as well as linking to it from The Cruising Compass. Interested?
Also, why not add The Cruising Compass to your Other Sites list? http://www.cruisingcompass.com. Heck, I know you’ll like it!
Well said! I’d be interested in posting this Sailing Crisis blog on my blog as well as linking to it from The Cruising Compass. Interested?
Nancy, I would be honored to have you post this article on your site. I’ve added a link to The Cruising Compass and Blue Water Sailing as well. Thanks for the feedback. I am glad I am not alone with this view point.
Carol Anne, Sounds like our two families are on similar tacks! Honey Bunny and I have a ten to twelve year plan to do the same thing, keeping our fingers crossed and all. Now all we have to do is find that perfect sailboat. Oh, and learn to sail better, navigate, etc., etc., etc.
I’ve just put a link to this article on http://www.sailmonster.com as well to stir some comments from my friends there. It’s downright scary how much most things cost. And it stinks that sailing could be pricing itself out of an audience. Many already see it as an “elitist” hobby. My boat is 40 years old (holding up nicely, thanks), and I don’t ever see myself owning a new yacht.
The smaller the boat the bigger the fun.
Mark, Thanks for adding a link to your site. No new boats in Capt. Puffy’s future either I’m afraid. Part of me sort of likes the “elitist” aspect of sailing, but the non-ego stroking side of me is with you 100%.
Tillerman, I agree with you too. One of the things we are deciding is whether or not to keep our present boat after we get a cruiser down the road, or perhaps trade the Precision 18 for a Laser or two, perish the thought.
I researched a lot before buying a 1988 beneteau first 235
My family of 4 is beginning to outgrow her, so I am looking for alternatives
They are hard to find
Neal, I feel your pain.
Walton, Thank you for the complement, yes it’s a free theme called Atahualpa. It is very customizable.