SAILING NEWS – February 28, 2015 –
For the past decade the number of U.S. residents who sail at least once and seven times a year has remained unchanged at around 4 million to 1.2 million people respectively.
Once the dream to buy a sailboat and to sail off into the sunset, the aging Baby Boomers have changed their interest to less physically demanding powerboats for their ease of use.
The Millennials have been enjoying the broader appeal of less costly leisure options, such as kayaks. They have been turned off by sailing due in part to the high dockage and insurance costs.
The most recent industry survey presented by Sailing World magazine highlights the hurdles. In 2014, sailboat brokers in North America reported sales roughly flat, at $463 million.
No one expects a quick return to the heady days of the 1970s, when 12 million Americans sailed at least once a year. Families worked shorter hours, commuted less, had fewer child-only activities and could afford to take three hours on a weekend afternoon for a family sail, said Nick Hayes, author of “Saving Sailing.”