why don't people sail.

finding41 · May 19, 2013

I got to take my family out today for the commodores sail past. We had a blast!
It was my 3rd time out this season that opened 1.5 weeks ago. Our boat was the 2nd on the lake (4 days after opening.) and by noon yesterday there were a total of 5 from our club in the water.
Today's sail was a smaller group for sure. Maybe 12 boats of a fleet of over 60!
Last year I was at the club and sailed at last 5 days / week. ( The maintenance guy mentioned that I was there more than him.)
I couldn't figure out then why people don't get out and sail there boats either. Still don't know. I do know that ware I sail it is a lost gem of a lake. Perfect because no one it using it.
Picks' 1; Squeaky and her mom.
2; Today's fleet.

centerline · May 19, 2013

everyone owns a boat for a different reason.... some people just like the idea of being able to say they own a "yacht" and its kept moored down at the marina....
others just want to be able to get away from the house and on the water for awhile, and it dont matter if the boat never leaves the dock....
and after a few years, the new wears off and they dont come down to the boat as much, but they wont sell the boat cuz they remember how much fun it used to be when they had time to relax on the boat... and they might want to do it again sometime.

I also think a lot of people like the boating idea in general, but are afraid of the wind. I have met many people who head for shelter at the first mention of 10kt winds.... if they see a white cap on the water, they douse the sail and head for the dock.

myself, i love to get on the boat and away from other people sometimes, but i also like to hang around the boat at the marina and meet new people and hear a few stories.... when i was moored near the boat ramp i got to see some interesting and stupid stuff.... and hear some new cuss words.

Ray Bowles · May 19, 2013

I live on an inland fresh water lake and am a trailer sailer. I also have taught at least 1 new sailer a year to sail. The main problem is finding small starter sailboat/trailer packages these people can afford.
The majority of the U.S. population does not live close to sailwater and do not have the money required to buy and dock a boat above 28 feet. If there was a good supply of 16 to 25 foot sailboats with either fresh water marina space or if these boats had trailers then there would be a good number of new sailors.
We have better than 40 sailboats where I sail, we out number the powerboats and very few of these used boats or boat/trailer packages cost over $10,000. New sails for a 30 foot boat cost more that most of these sailboat/trailer packages.
These are problems that I can see no solutions for unless these new interested persons have jobs that allow for these non-living expenses.
Just my ramblings on this questions.
Ray

njsail · May 20, 2013

People go through different phases of life. If they sail or not is their own choice and I'm sure there are a lot of different reasons. Owning a boat can provide a dream that one can contemplate every day on the water, in the office, or anywhere you happen to be. It occupies time and gives you something to look forward to. A boat may sit at a dock and be well used as a vacation home. A number of boats I know that are sitting at docks have been well travelled. Many owners have been on long journeys like migrating back and forth to florida/bahamas in the winter several times from the north east coast and just don't have the wanderlust to sail every weekend but yet they have travelled many more miles than any weekend sailor wondering the questions you ask. Some have crossed oceans and now sit at docks with the same happy owners. They are like old friends....just comfortable together. I just wanted to point out every boat and every owner has their own story as to why they are here. You might want to talk to more people and discover their story. This is where a little alcohol comes in handy. Tall tails and good stories can turn into new good friends. Sailors are all friendly people...give it a try.

Scott T-Bird · May 20, 2013

Did you ever hear of the concept of "working for a living"? For various reasons, it takes more work to keep one's head above water for most people. Many are working longer for less ... it's having an impact.

Tim R. · May 20, 2013

We live aboard and go out every chance we get. Usually every weekend. I get my weekday fix by crewing on a friends boat wed. night beer can racing.

I have found that most live-aboards choose this lifestyle as a cheap way to own their own place. We do it because we are preparing for long term cruising.

Stu Jackson · May 20, 2013

We had a C22 for a few years, a C25 for 12 years, and this boat for 15. I am consistent in my approach to disprove the theory that the "amount of use a boat gets is inversely proportional to its length." We go out at least once a week, try to avoid "crowded"

weekends, and anchor out at least one night - daysails are a thing of the past. And we started doing this years ago even when fully employed (compared to partially employed as Scott points out

).

RECESS · May 20, 2013

During the school year we go down on weekends. The boat is 3 hours away. If the weather is really snotty we still go down but do not leave the dock. It is nice just to have a change of scenery. We sail or motor as much as possible. I can, however, understand people that use their boat as a condo on the beach or lake.

It is good for the soul.

Jackdaw · May 20, 2013

campuscab said:
I bought my boat to sail it and I noticed that most of the boats at my marina do not move. There are 5 luve aboards, none have taking them out. I sail two to three times a week. I belong to a sail club and nost of the owners are just getting there boats in the water. As soon as the ice wice melted I was sailing.
They guys,hang out at the Marina and talk shop but do not sail. I just got a chance to wash mine today, the first time this year. I had to turn it to get both sides so I took it for a two hour turn around. I have a blast my 5 year old took the tiller yesterday. I can't go without her. It is in her blood already. The other ones will go but they don't love it like my youngest. That najes every penny I have,spent,and every hour I put in working on it worth while.

View attachment 64446

How long have you been sailing? I'm guessing not a long time.

Its new, its great, you are having fun. But longer term your life will seek and find a balance, a level of sailing that works withing your changing personal, social, and work life. And crap happens, health, unemployment, child and senior care can drastically effect how often someone gets out. Stick at it long enough, and you'll see! ;^)

Stu Jackson · May 20, 2013

Jack is right about health. I broke my leg skiing a few years ago, and spent the first three months of recovery figuring out how to get on the boat with crutches!

When I finally got back to the boat, that concept, which I spent hours daily working out, step-by-step, really worked - except that I forgot the bloody winch was right where I was gonna sit my butt!!!

Oh well, at least I didn't fall in. Plus, it made recovering so much fun 'cuz I was thinking: BOATING - all that time.

LuzSD · May 20, 2013

As others have said, people own boats for different reasons, we are all at different stages of learning and living, and each has its own enlightenments and limitations.
I would give you one bit of advise, and that is to revel within and sail for yourself, not for any other reason. Too many seem to keep score on how often they go out and their dock mates do not, as if it makes them better or more dedicated. I have a friend who go out very rarely, though it eats him up inside that he is not more brave. So, each time he does go, or sometimes just when he plans to go, I hear about it. I really don't care, I wish he would just sail because he wants to in the worst way. I would consider him extremely successful at sailing and mastering his fears if he sailed however often, but did it all for himself and not to add to the scorecard. I'm not saying that you do this, in fact I hear that you are just in love with sailing and can't understand why others are held back. Just assume everyone is doing the best that they can, with the circumstances they have and continue to stay in your groove as long as you can.

BTW, I'm right there with you and sail 3 times a week and wish it could be more. Most nights, if I have trouble falling asleep, I put myself behind the wheel with 8-10 knots of wind and sail until I fall asleep. It is most definitely my happy place.

JK_Boston_Catalina310 · May 20, 2013

Stu Jackson said:
We had a C22 for a few years, a C25 for 12 years, and this boat for 15. I am consistent in my approach to disprove the theory that the "amount of use a boat gets is inversely proportional to its length." We go out at least once a week, try to avoid "crowded" weekends, and anchor out at least one night - daysails are a thing of the past. And we started doing this years ago even when fully employed (compared to partially employed as Scott points out ).

I think Stu brings up another good point. When we had our 24 footer, day sailing was much more attractive. Now we leave the dock to go someplace and only really day sail if we have friends visiting or if the weather is really nice.

We also live aboard most of the year and get a lot of use out of the boat. So going out for a day sail on a busy weekend with all the drunken power boat idiots loses its appeal.

sailaway78 · May 20, 2013

A lot of reasons

A lot of reasons given, but it is the same everywhere. I have a neighbor who has a 50 f00t Bernny. He is a engineer at NASA, and it is obvious to me from what I see, that he has the money and the time, but his boat sails three or four times a year, for the day. He decorates and sails the Mardi Gras parade, the Christmas Parade, and sometimes St. Paddy's day. HE might go out one more time a year, but it is rare.

shemandr · May 20, 2013

I think Stu is on track. A lot of boat owners buy the boat of their dreams rather than the one that they can use easily. I'm downsizing. I'll miss much about the 356 but look forward to new opportunities. I have learned a small boat is much easier to use. I've been sailing with a buddy on his Seafarer 23 and it's so easy to push off the dock, motor a few minutes, hoist and go.

Indysailor · May 20, 2013

I see a sailing club in transition at our marina. From what I understand, the place started with nearly everyone owning a Thistle, Highlander, Flying Scot, etc. As they got older, they bought bigger boats until now when many of them are in their 70s and sailing much less. Yet, they still launch their cruisers and come to the social events, but they usually only sail if they have a crew of young mates.

Our sailing camp is very strong, teaching dozens of kids to sail each year. It's a good strategy because they will nag their parents to get a boat, bringing new families to the club. I try to get as many of my friends sailing as possible, hoping one or two will want to pursue it. Yesterday was a busy day; I saw many boats launching, but in their midst I noticed a few small ones- dads with sons and daughters, a Thistle(!) getting a tow after the wind died. Perhaps the cycle is starting again.

Calif. Ted · May 20, 2013

Not all of us are hairy handed sailormens like you, some of us are just old posers with checkbooks and boats bigger than yours.

srhummer · May 20, 2013

jumpin in - both feet first - I live/work 90 minutes from boat - dog has broken leg
been out this year but on only friend boat since I have not been able to get over enough to have mine ready since it went in - March - what with visits to the vet and the fact that the only time it makes sense to go is the weekends. Hard to drive 3 hours after work for 2 hours aboard. Worse when you figure it would be dark.

rpwillia · May 20, 2013

Stu, Them's big numbers!

Stu Jackson said:
We had a C22 for a few years, a C25 for 12 years, and this boat for 15.

I started counting and ran out of fingers and toes.

why don't people sail.

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