Fall and winter seem like good times to look at boats. Most of us are doing little or no sailing this time of year, but the boat shows are everywhere. And if you subscribe to any of the slick national boating magazines, you'll see a proliferation of ads for "daysailors" in the 35-45 ft range that sell for $350k up to a million bucks. That seems like a lot of bread for a daysailor, some of which are only fit for two people, may have little or no standing headroom, and lack other features associated with boats in this size and price range. Yet... these boats sure are sleek and beautiful. Can you imagine yourself at the helm of an Alerion 38, Morris 36, Bruckman 42, or the Hinckley 42, to name just a few, as you sail around your home waters? Nice to look at, but would you want one -- assuming you could afford one? Are they just "eye candy?" How do you feel about this trend in boat design? Is it good or bad? Do these boats make sense? Tell us how you feel about big and expensive daysailors, then take the Quick Quiz on the homepage. (Discussion topic and quiz by Warren Milberg)
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Tooooo Much
I'll be the first to crack the nut on this one. First, I would like to say if you can afford it and you have worked hard for the money, I guess you are entitled. However, there are tons of boat for sale under $50K that will take wherever you want to go. You still have plenty of money left over to have the boat totally maintained by someone else. Or.....buy a new Jaguar to drive to the less expensive boat.
I'll be the first to crack the nut on this one. First, I would like to say if you can afford it and you have worked hard for the money, I guess you are entitled. However, there are tons of boat for sale under $50K that will take wherever you want to go. You still have plenty of money left over to have the boat totally maintained by someone else. Or.....buy a new Jaguar to drive to the less expensive boat.
She's got blisters on her but, she's pretty ...
Yeah <sigh>. Boat shows. I alway leave them feeling glum. Feeling sorry for myself at being such a poor slob. But I still love them. The sales people are sooooo pretentious - it makes me laugh. All in all, it makes me apreciate what I've got. A Mac 25, and I love her so!
Yeah <sigh>. Boat shows. I alway leave them feeling glum. Feeling sorry for myself at being such a poor slob. But I still love them. The sales people are sooooo pretentious - it makes me laugh. All in all, it makes me apreciate what I've got. A Mac 25, and I love her so!
Daysailer
I put them in the same catagory as cigarette boats, not very practical and a means for the owner to show off how much money they have. Some do not have lifelines. To me that is a safety issue. Having all control lines led to the cockpit does not mean you NEVER have to go forward. If I had that kind of money to burn, I can think of several practical boats to buy.
I put them in the same catagory as cigarette boats, not very practical and a means for the owner to show off how much money they have. Some do not have lifelines. To me that is a safety issue. Having all control lines led to the cockpit does not mean you NEVER have to go forward. If I had that kind of money to burn, I can think of several practical boats to buy.
VERY VERY IMPRACTICAL...
BOATING is such awesome fun, including watching folks that dont know their "SPENDING LIMITS". If folks want to spend their retirement funds, Kid's college funds, Grandkids inheritance, etc., I suppose its okay if they have NO ability to be PRACTICAL. I've noticed that it doesnt stop with boats, has anyone seen some of the MANSIONS, VEHICLES, and other TOYS some IMPRACTICAL folks are buying these days. Summed up in one word: "IMPRACTICAL" What makes the issue real funny, its the same folks that complain about fuel prices. HA !
BOATING is such awesome fun, including watching folks that dont know their "SPENDING LIMITS". If folks want to spend their retirement funds, Kid's college funds, Grandkids inheritance, etc., I suppose its okay if they have NO ability to be PRACTICAL. I've noticed that it doesnt stop with boats, has anyone seen some of the MANSIONS, VEHICLES, and other TOYS some IMPRACTICAL folks are buying these days. Summed up in one word: "IMPRACTICAL" What makes the issue real funny, its the same folks that complain about fuel prices. HA !
Interesting trend.....
... before the advent of mass produced fiberlass boats, sailing was the sport of kings and rich people. Fiberglass made sailing inexpensive enough for all of us to participate. Now the trend seems to be going back to the "old days." The average size boat keeps getting bigger and bigger,and more and more expensive. A 38 -footer is now a mid-size boat. A quarter million dollars is a pretty common price tag these days. Who can relate to any of the boats that the national sailing mags focus on? Not me. My sense of this can be described in one word: Bizarre.
... before the advent of mass produced fiberlass boats, sailing was the sport of kings and rich people. Fiberglass made sailing inexpensive enough for all of us to participate. Now the trend seems to be going back to the "old days." The average size boat keeps getting bigger and bigger,and more and more expensive. A 38 -footer is now a mid-size boat. A quarter million dollars is a pretty common price tag these days. Who can relate to any of the boats that the national sailing mags focus on? Not me. My sense of this can be described in one word: Bizarre.
Price vs. Value
Last fall at the Annapolis boat show I was snubbed by the sale person on one of those pretty boats. Not that I was in the market or anything (I guess he could tell, I didn't make an appointment). Anyways, who buys these vessels? Do they really know how to sail? We regular folk who play on our boats and learn all that there is to, are the true sailors. You can't buy experience and a true understanding of what it takes to sail a boat. There is a saying."They know the price of everything, and the value of nothing" Cheers
Last fall at the Annapolis boat show I was snubbed by the sale person on one of those pretty boats. Not that I was in the market or anything (I guess he could tell, I didn't make an appointment). Anyways, who buys these vessels? Do they really know how to sail? We regular folk who play on our boats and learn all that there is to, are the true sailors. You can't buy experience and a true understanding of what it takes to sail a boat. There is a saying."They know the price of everything, and the value of nothing" Cheers
Easy
Take it easy guys. This is not a rich thing or intitlement thing. It is a supply and demand thing. There are people out there with money and companies are building a product that they can afford and will buy. Myself, I live within my means just as the rich ususlaly do. It is just that their means is more expansive (spell right) than mine. As far as the big expensive sailboats, well, my new used boat, with a huge depriciation, has to come from somewhere. I love to look at the pictures of new boats just like I look at the new cars. But, I love my Used Catalina.
Take it easy guys. This is not a rich thing or intitlement thing. It is a supply and demand thing. There are people out there with money and companies are building a product that they can afford and will buy. Myself, I live within my means just as the rich ususlaly do. It is just that their means is more expansive (spell right) than mine. As far as the big expensive sailboats, well, my new used boat, with a huge depriciation, has to come from somewhere. I love to look at the pictures of new boats just like I look at the new cars. But, I love my Used Catalina.
I agree on the sailing mags comment
Pete from Cheapeak Bay: I agree that the major sailing mags leave us folks who can't afford a quarter million $ plus boat on the fringes of focus in their articles. It's why I don't subscribe to any of them. Why would I care to read about a boat I can never afford and can only fantasize over? If they ever start to write stuff about older 28 foot O'days and other boats of that stripe then maybe I'll give 'em a look-see. Mike
Pete from Cheapeak Bay: I agree that the major sailing mags leave us folks who can't afford a quarter million $ plus boat on the fringes of focus in their articles. It's why I don't subscribe to any of them. Why would I care to read about a boat I can never afford and can only fantasize over? If they ever start to write stuff about older 28 foot O'days and other boats of that stripe then maybe I'll give 'em a look-see. Mike
Same thing happened to motorcycles
With the money being passed around and the numbers that are talked about(our national deficit)are just astronomical. This makes my motorcycles(panhead and shovelhead) and my 1983 31ft sailboat worth more today than it was yesterday.Thank you! I'm not going to buy a "new" sailboat for one simple reason, they don't make them like they use too.I love my boat and have from the moment I laid my hand on her wheel.As for the experience of sailing?They'll never know it. It's a life style that few know anything about.You can have the sleek new yachts but you can't have mine or my free and laid back life style.When someone with all the money wants to be like me, I concider it to be a compliment.Just keep the waters clean and healthy for all to enjoy.As for the new mega-yachts their just great. Now we will need more marinas to handle them. We all win.If it weren't for the yuppies buying the latest, where would we be? Sit back and enjoy all the new money coming your way ,ie, new slips ,fingers ,breakwaters . Maybe even a few new anchorages.Maybe even a invention or two!A little dreging wouldn't hurt either.So I for one welcome all these new and latest creations for they only enhance my life style.And I'm happy now . Thanks All! Keep it up, Ctskip
With the money being passed around and the numbers that are talked about(our national deficit)are just astronomical. This makes my motorcycles(panhead and shovelhead) and my 1983 31ft sailboat worth more today than it was yesterday.Thank you! I'm not going to buy a "new" sailboat for one simple reason, they don't make them like they use too.I love my boat and have from the moment I laid my hand on her wheel.As for the experience of sailing?They'll never know it. It's a life style that few know anything about.You can have the sleek new yachts but you can't have mine or my free and laid back life style.When someone with all the money wants to be like me, I concider it to be a compliment.Just keep the waters clean and healthy for all to enjoy.As for the new mega-yachts their just great. Now we will need more marinas to handle them. We all win.If it weren't for the yuppies buying the latest, where would we be? Sit back and enjoy all the new money coming your way ,ie, new slips ,fingers ,breakwaters . Maybe even a few new anchorages.Maybe even a invention or two!A little dreging wouldn't hurt either.So I for one welcome all these new and latest creations for they only enhance my life style.And I'm happy now . Thanks All! Keep it up, Ctskip
I would love to have one of those expensive Scandi
Scandinavian boats... Regina, Hallberg Rassy, Malo. Sail it around the block and admire it....just like looking at an attractive woman. Yeah, I'll buy one if I had the money to throw away.
Scandinavian boats... Regina, Hallberg Rassy, Malo. Sail it around the block and admire it....just like looking at an attractive woman. Yeah, I'll buy one if I had the money to throw away.
Works of art
I regard them as beautiful works of art in a medium I find very attractive. I go the museum to see Rembrandts, but I don't own one, probably wouldn't even if I could afford it. I love to see those graceful boats on the water or at the dock, just like I love to see the tall ships and wooden schooners. I thank the owners for spending their money to my benefit as an observer. But I can't imagine having enough cash to spend it that way.
I regard them as beautiful works of art in a medium I find very attractive. I go the museum to see Rembrandts, but I don't own one, probably wouldn't even if I could afford it. I love to see those graceful boats on the water or at the dock, just like I love to see the tall ships and wooden schooners. I thank the owners for spending their money to my benefit as an observer. But I can't imagine having enough cash to spend it that way.
Somebody Has To Do It1
Somebody needs to buy those things. Otherwise, I might not have a chance to buy it, 20 years from now.
Somebody needs to buy those things. Otherwise, I might not have a chance to buy it, 20 years from now.
Bad for the Sport
Those expensive daysailers just reinforce the impression that all yacht owners are rich. Makes politicians positively salivate at the prospect of taxing all those "rich yacht owners", IMHO. That being said, I would sure like to own one! Rodney S/V Sashay SF Bay
Those expensive daysailers just reinforce the impression that all yacht owners are rich. Makes politicians positively salivate at the prospect of taxing all those "rich yacht owners", IMHO. That being said, I would sure like to own one! Rodney S/V Sashay SF Bay
To each their own
It seems that many "crusing boats" never leave their slip or mooring. If you could afford and expensive day sailor and keep it park in back of your very expensive house in the harbor and could jump in and sail it around for a few hours after work, then more power to you. I am sure it fills a niche, unfortunately I am not in it.
It seems that many "crusing boats" never leave their slip or mooring. If you could afford and expensive day sailor and keep it park in back of your very expensive house in the harbor and could jump in and sail it around for a few hours after work, then more power to you. I am sure it fills a niche, unfortunately I am not in it.
Here's to quality!
Without another critique of rich sailors. The actual task of creating, and building boats that are superb quality should be commended. Alas, I may never be able to buy a new one, I possibly will be able to get one of these years after. So to quality, I say "bravo"
Without another critique of rich sailors. The actual task of creating, and building boats that are superb quality should be commended. Alas, I may never be able to buy a new one, I possibly will be able to get one of these years after. So to quality, I say "bravo"
Functional Works of Art
I think the new, big daysailors are functional works of art. They are beautiful almost beyond belief, and if the reviews are to be believed they are sweet sailing machines too. Unlike the majority of the posters here, I think they are practical (sort of) too: no matter what our dreams are or how much money we have or how big our boats, the fact is that most of us use our boats as daysailers most of the time. These new boats are great daysailers: big cockpits, minimal (although the word minimal is admittedly relative) accomodations, big wow factors. Why spend all that money for a boat with refrigeration, two heads and accomodations for 6 if you are only going to sail around your home waters during the day? If I had that kind of money, I'd rather have a gorgeous boat that fit my sailing plans than a more conventional boat with features that I'd never use. In fact, I spoke with the designer of the new Alerion 38 at the Newport Boat Show. He was quite proud of the design and its concept: if you can afford one of these boats, you (and the Admiral) are probably of the age where you would rather spend your evenings ashore at nice restaurants and fine hotels, not cooking and cleaning in a cramped galley and sleeping on 2 inches of foam. This makes sense to me; it clearly goes against the self-image we all have of the self-sufficient and frugal sailor, but it does ring true. I know it is the case with my wife, and I'll bet there are as many sailors who value their luxury comforts as there are who love the traditional, more bare-bones cruising life-style.
I think the new, big daysailors are functional works of art. They are beautiful almost beyond belief, and if the reviews are to be believed they are sweet sailing machines too. Unlike the majority of the posters here, I think they are practical (sort of) too: no matter what our dreams are or how much money we have or how big our boats, the fact is that most of us use our boats as daysailers most of the time. These new boats are great daysailers: big cockpits, minimal (although the word minimal is admittedly relative) accomodations, big wow factors. Why spend all that money for a boat with refrigeration, two heads and accomodations for 6 if you are only going to sail around your home waters during the day? If I had that kind of money, I'd rather have a gorgeous boat that fit my sailing plans than a more conventional boat with features that I'd never use. In fact, I spoke with the designer of the new Alerion 38 at the Newport Boat Show. He was quite proud of the design and its concept: if you can afford one of these boats, you (and the Admiral) are probably of the age where you would rather spend your evenings ashore at nice restaurants and fine hotels, not cooking and cleaning in a cramped galley and sleeping on 2 inches of foam. This makes sense to me; it clearly goes against the self-image we all have of the self-sufficient and frugal sailor, but it does ring true. I know it is the case with my wife, and I'll bet there are as many sailors who value their luxury comforts as there are who love the traditional, more bare-bones cruising life-style.
You Think Thats Crazy!
If you think that these expensive daysailers are a bit extravagant, check out the canoes at wind song canoes in south carolina. $150,000.00 for a canoe! I doubt that the buyers of these canoes actually paddle them. Just as I imagine that these daysailers spend more time at the dock than on the water.
If you think that these expensive daysailers are a bit extravagant, check out the canoes at wind song canoes in south carolina. $150,000.00 for a canoe! I doubt that the buyers of these canoes actually paddle them. Just as I imagine that these daysailers spend more time at the dock than on the water.
If Only!
If only I had that sort of disposable cash, I'd probably own one. However, I don't! So I look, grin with a small bit of envy, and feel good about the fact that my 30' sailboat was very desirable, once......
If only I had that sort of disposable cash, I'd probably own one. However, I don't! So I look, grin with a small bit of envy, and feel good about the fact that my 30' sailboat was very desirable, once......
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