It doesn't seem like a new trend!
In my small corner of the world, slip prices are going up significantly and availability is pretty slim (especially for slips large enough to accommodate my 27' sailboat). It's not sailboats that are driving up the prices, that's for sure! In fact, I asked about getting a slip for my sailboat at the marina where I keep my ski boat. They said, "N0! - you're kidding - you don't look like one of those guys - we're trying to get rid of sailboats - they're a pain in the ass - they don't want to spend any money for our services". This is in a marina that has a significant number of sailboats (but has nothing to offer sailors in their showroom). Next year they won't have my ski boat there, but I'm sure they don't care. The market for the ski boats they sell for $35 to $60 grand has exploded and they need slips to put their customers in.At the marina I have my sailboat stored for the winter, the slips that would accommodate my sailboat are priced at $4,600 for the season (not including winter storage). For that price you get shore power, fresh water, security, and a much friendlier attitude that goes with their superior service. Unfortunately, the waiting list never moves because the current customers never give up their slips. I was told that a slip reservation was even been passed along in a will on one occasion! There wasn't a single sailboat in their marina during the summer, but they do service a few over the winter.I've noticed on our lake, which has a significant number of small cruisng sailboats, and a very active racing scene for dingys, scows and catamarans, there are very few new sailboats. I've seen only a handful of new catamarans and Hunter daysailors that can be bought from only one small store in the area. New powerboats and fishing boats are commonplace and are sold at numerous marinas all around the lake.IMHO, it isn't a lack of wealth or a poor economy that is making it harder for individuals to pursue this esoteric activity. Contrarily, obscene wealth and a desire to flaunt it seems to be on the upswing. I think sailors have a more gentle nature (except for you racing enthusiasts), and we are simply being pushed aside by the more aggressive, Type "A" personalities that obtain wealth more readily and gravitate towards recreational activities that primarily involve a throttle and not much more.It's a competitive world and we can't hope to escape it in a sailboat.