I saw this ad today and I must say dang! This ad makes sailing look like so much fun perhaps other young people will start sailing. The real question will be whether or not they will want to own their own boats with maintenance and custimosation; or simply be a part of a coop type thing like this. So lets start a fun winter conversation. What do you think the future of recreational sailing will look like?
Based upon the young people sailing today on my coast, the future is here now! Not only are they integrated in the fabric of sailing in this world class sailing area, today's young adults have started sailing at a younger age, and it looks to me that their generation could be better sailors than the last.
I'll predict a few changes based on my area and young sailors that I know personally, about how they will sail (which could predict what boats they will and won't own).
Cruising, the lifestyle that started in the 60's, will continue to decline. I think that trend started a few decades ago before the new generation had any effect. Witness our Cruising Sailors forum. That used to be one of the most popular but today, 'Cruising' is taking a back seat to 'Sailing'. What happened to the popularity of cruising? The only thing I can think of is the 'back to the land' that drove so many baby boomers out of their parents living framework has lost it's steam. Sailing on the other hand has endured albeit still as an obscure pastime that will never be mainstream.
Chartering: I don't know enough about that industry to make a prediction. It's not the huge industry on the NE coast that it has become in the islands. I suppose it will always lure a few people into the sport. Will it start young people sailing? I hope so. But back in my reality, the young sailors I see started the same old way, they grew up sailing recreationally. Some hard core, most with families and friends.
Sailing Co-ops: Maybe in the cities, which is great. But I don't think Sailing Co-ops will spur a new phenomena of late start sailors around the world.
Finally, will they own their own boats? Heck yes! They already do in my neighborhood. But these are very young kids taking advantage of very cheap boats in a world they grew up in. Will the OP video drive a new wave of young boat buyers, like the past?
Heck no! Young people never were new boat buyers, that's where middle age comes in. Young people will buy old used boats, just like the last generation.
Outside of the latest phenomena, "I'm going to live aboard, what boat should I buy?" Large tired cruising boats will likely keep dropping in value. This sailboats becoming dwellings - phenomena, I don't think is sustainable(although we'll have a lot of boats to convert first).
Lighter (in maintenance, cost, footprint) used boats will likely be more popular. Good for sailing as a priority. And classic boats will endure, as they always do.
What does all this mean? Not a heck of a lot if you're looking for a new bell curve of the future of sailing. Not even Youtube will make sailing a mainstream rec.
I believe if nothing else,
sailing - which took the back seat during the cruising years of the boomer gen., will get a boost from the new gen. At least seeing what I see on my coast, I can hope.