Times Change, not always for the better
Would you say there has been a change in boat design to emphasize leisure and entertainment rather than performance models in the market?
(Big Sigh...)
Yes indeed.
And that change started, incrementally, in the late 70's.
I live far enough north to experience distinct boating seasons - and there's a lot less boating in the mid winter part of it. So we have big boat shows instead.
What I have observed, from working a few boat shows, is that most sailboat designs became oriented to being sold inside of large heated buildings, in January. No water anywhere near.
Next, at least one of the people needed to sign off on the contract was seldom very interested in "sailing." So, travelers and their associated "mess of ropy things" had to be gotten out of the cockpit as much as possible.
Then, to add insult to injury, all the builders and dealers changed the
terminology of the industry to call boats that were designed to be actively sailed "RACING" boats and the burgeoning ranks of dockside party craft/second homes were labeled "Cruising" boats. (insert Bigger Sigh....)
So here we are now... with a generation of buyers befuddled by misleading terminology. The owners that do take an interest in really leaving the dock and sailing find little help from the "sailing industry", either. Forums like this and some others help, but a lot of that "help" is opinionated and occasionally rather snarky.
The large fleets of one-design dinghies and small ballasted boats in the 70's and 80's - that produced legions of sailing families wanting to move up to actual "performance cruisers" (i.e. racer/cruisers) -- has stayed static or withered.
Some blame the current recession, with good reason. But the decline dates from much further back. I just hope that there is always a core group of future buyers - Sailors! -to buy up the
real sailboats when the present generation gets ready to sell due to age or changing lifestyles.
Hmmmm. Perhaps I need to dial down the "rant-ometer" a bit! Sorry.
Fair winds,
Loren