Com-Pac Yacht Owners Association

Well one of the things that getting a few years under your belt does is to provide reference points for reflection. Sitting on our finger pier not long ago on a nice day that was bringing the boaters out of their winter hibernation, I was struck by the fact that there were no young folks. I know it was a pretty long hiatus from sailing we took but i distinctly remember many people our age then getting into sailing, having dreams of life aboard, etc. I am also sure that like us, many of those folks let sailing sit on the bench while they like us started careers, families, bought homes (in our case a farm, talk about setting ourselves up for work!), but in our case we NEVER let go of the desire to return to sailing. Now that we have I have noticed most of the folks are around our age. They either returned to sailing like us, never left, or are just now in a position to start. I get that, but what i am puzzled by is where are all the young folks like we used to be?

My recollections of the sailing community decades ago was of a more diverse and vibrant community. Folks in the business also report few newcomers, and that we are actually not typical as we are back into it and actually plan to sail. Where is the new generation? A disclaimer is that our marina is sail only and maybe the throb of a powerful motor floats younger folks boats. I know I will hope to pass this love to my son as we have done with snow sports, white water paddling, and the outdoors lifestyle we pursued closer to home in the time away from sailing.

Ok you young bucks, where are ya? You can even use your smart phones to navigate!

Happy Easter all. Truly a day of renewal.

This sounds like one of my wife's laments about sailing.  She says that people our age don't normally do this.  Blah blah blah blah blah.

Truly, I have been cruising for a while.  I haven't run into too many people my age.  I am not sure why but in the age where everything must happen instantly or people loose interest, I can see how many people don't understand it.

Keeping a boat up is a lot of work.  It can also get costly, depending on the boat, the budget, etc.  This is partly why I am in a Compac 23 versus my Catalina 30. 

When people ask me how long it takes to get somewhere they can't believe how long it takes.  Jimmy Buffet once said, in a song, "Go fast enough to get there but slow enough to see."  I think that statement sums it up well.  For a powerboater it seems to be about the destination but for a sailor the journey is as important as the destination.  Yeah, it is great to make a far off landfall, but the adventure of getting there is just as exciting. 

My first reaction was to say "right here"! But then I remembered I don't qualify as being of that age anymore.

I have seen some younger folks participating, but mostly in family groups and/or in things like Laser racing. 'Course that's just in my rather limited geographical area that I'm familiar with. Sailing in general has never been a big numbers game around here. It does continue at about the same level of participation though.

    i have to say that i really dont mind that younger people dont really seem to be drawn to sailing. in the age of smart phones (that so many seem to be "praying" to) and video games, sailing seems too slow. i for one wouldn't want my lake to be clogged with sailors. when we go during the week there is hardly another boat to be seen. and quiet---boy is it quiet.

I've thought about this question myself. I've come to believe that most young boaters haven't developed an appreciation for sailing. At 46 I'm no longer in the young category but many of my peers prefer wakeboarding or waterskiing. I stopped going to the Denver boat show because it has become the Denver 'wakeboard' boat show, not one sailboat on display. In  many cases young people have just never experienced sailing.

I enrolled my 14 year old nephew in the local sailing school last summer and he was bitten by the sailing bug. Now he's excited to come up and sail with me. I've also been brainwashing my kids to appreciate sailing over power boating. I'm hoping they keep the tradition going.

I'll tell you where they are...their kids are into sports, and they take up the whole weekend.  Plus, both parents are working, and life is busy.  I'm 56yo, and when I was younger I was into sports, but I may have at most 1 game on a weekend.  Now, there are weekend long tournaments.
Also, the kids now have video games, and that's what they love.
It's sad!
I have friends with 35 and 36 foot beautiful sailboats and the kids are not interested.  Go figure.
Another friend had a nice older 26 foot sailboat and sold it since there was no time to use it.
Rob

I'm 63.  This weekend we had about 50 folks participate in a kayakathon to raise money for the Boggy Creek Children's Camp in Lake County Florida.  The main trail was the Dora Canal -- a piece of old Florida that is slow, quiet, and full of wildlife. Most paddlers were younger than forty and some were teens.  I would hope their appreciation for nature will extend to sailing later on as opposed to the fastboat syndrome.  Oh, I failed to mention that free drinks at eight waterside establishments was involved!  If we had been sailing we might have made it to only two or three!

Also, the Lake Eustis Sailing Club has sailing lessons every Saturday morning and they regularly have 20 youngsters racing.  The Menges Scow winter nationals are held here every February and most of those folks are younger.

So, I'm a bit more encouraged.

It is good that younger folks spend time outside with no cell phones and the organized life of weekend soccer games. So little time to reflect when your life remains planned for you and you become uncomfortable with the prospect of being alone. We seem to encourage that "more is better."

"At sea, I learned how little a person needs, not how much."
-  Robin Lee Graham

Robin's book and voyage fundamentally changed my life as i became aware how less can be more. Too many helicopter parents insist upon a life predestined to be one of acquisition and stature. We allowed our son to pursue his dreams (not ours) and he has been grateful ever since. We homeschooled him and gave him his diploma with this written on it:

"The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him he's always doing both. "

Sailing is just such a path. We may lament the work our boats may need but all is forgotten when the wind fills your sails. Is it work when it is done with such little distinction between work and play, destination and voyage, knowing that we do not dictate the voyage but instead the wind and sea. This is difficult for many young folks who have their whole lives planned out for them. I am grateful for the opportunity to have sailing back in my life again. It's time to get those youngins out there as well! Lots of boats for the classroom, the sea is a great teacher, where are the students? I'm gunna find some!

Exellent post No Mas!!!!!!  Truly...


Have a 'karma' on me

Yep - great topic and uplifting insight by all. Spend a little money on a small boat for your son or daughter and maybe they will see there is a whole big world outside of iPhones and automobiles. Team sports is good, but nothing builds character like being in command of one's own vessel whether it's competing in Optimists or just out for a day sail. If your kids are grown then there is opportunity to share your experience with the grand kids, beats the hell out of taking them to Disney World.

Any reason why smart phones and sailboats don't mix?

Kids and families definitely have a lot of options today, like who knew about stand up paddle boarding ten years ago? Sailing is still more popular than wind surfing, but also requires a large time commitment.

Well....Jason has kind of answered that question!!!

Right on Jason! There is a private school down the road from our boat that has a sailing program and have personally met the instructor.. No doubt there are sailing programs where there is water. Our local public high school and the university here have rowing programs, quite good ones actually. It is also a fact that life demands much of young families and finances are always a factor but even more so for this new generation. My question still stands as the sailing schools have been there for generations, at least this one, many children are exposed to the art of sailing, it is at the point of independence from home and school where you hope the lessons carry on that seems the challenge. Part of the answer is sailing is no longer necessary as it used to be, our technology and information have removed much of a sense of mystery and wonder, and as already mentioned life is very demanding of this new generation (21-35yr. olds just for the sake of definition).

I see thousands of kids playing soccer. I see almost none continuing after high school and college. I am not talking about the career path of professional soccer, simply a life that has soccer as part of it. This is my question regarding sailing. It has always been the case that school sports give many lessons that continue for life but rarely does the sport itself continue to be pursued. Always exceptions but they are exceptions. If you go to a local basketball court you see all ages playing, but mostly younger. If you go to a marina you see few younger sailors. Maybe it just where we are on the Chesapeake, but if so then the industry is doing a horrible job of keeping track of and attracting  all those younger sailors because the numbers are just not there like they used to be a generation or so ago.

I vote to put Jason and a recent newcomer from NC who just got a CP16 (great post on the lounge as well) in charge of getting the word out! It should also be noted that Clarke Mills deserves a nod here as they both are sailing his designs! Both e CP16 and the Optimus pram have been responsible for many getting into sailing, including myself. Gotta go, the boat is calling.

Our sail club adopted a new process a few years ago, for several reasons:  It created a fleet program.  So a sailor at any level could join the club, take lessons on a club boat, get checked out on a club boat, then sign up to use one of the boats for almost no cost.

It helped in several ways:
We were running out of open slips for new people.
We had several members either die, move away, or quit sailing due to whatever, and they either gave or cheaply sold their boats to the club.
It allowed new people to learn and actually use a boat without dropping all the $$ to buy one, then find out they didn't like sailing.

Seemed to be a great idea, and allowed newbees to check out a boat like you would rent a car, only cheaper.

It did require some investment ($$) to acquire and fix up the boats, one or more members to be the fleet master, and some effort to make it successful.  It worked well for several years, then the fleet master moved, and it's so-so now.

Ron

Is it a matter of not having a population of young sailors, or are the boats they sail going by our old people boats so fast we simply don't see them. Seriously however, it may have something to do with the higher adrenaline levels of younger people and so they only return to sailing as an interest when the athletic requirement catches up with them. So I think we have at least two categories of sailors, those who are bitten by the bug and passion drives their sailing through their entire life, and those who enjoy it as the time is available. Some folks could spend months cruising in their boats on the ocean and others happy with a occasional week on a charter boat in the Bahamas. It takes real passion to spend such a large amount of one's time and money to pursue sailing as a life long avocation. 

I started sailing in my teens and at that time had a lot friends the same age who also sailed.  I'm 69 now and not one of those friends I sailed with are still sailing.  Many are still on the water, but have all moved to power more than likely for the convenience and ease.  My three sons all sailed when they were young and went through Yacht Club summer sailing programs learning from fairly good teachers (the youth program was run by a woman who was an Olympic sailor) and while they seemed to enjoy it at the time, it didn't stick at least at this point in their very busy lives with careers and families. 

Who knows?  Our extended family has vacationed in the same place on the Florida pan handle for 40 years.  Up to about 12 years ago, they rented Hobie Cats on the beach.  Then they were replaced with Jet skis.  I was told the Hobies just weren't renting any more.

I'll just keep going until I can't.

Sail on Brackish - we can lead them to the water but we can't make them sail. Maybe I should just plan to be buried in my boat or given a Viking's funeral, no point in seeing a good boat go to waste.

    im hoping to put the 9 year old granddaughter at the helm next week. im thinking we better take something for her to play with in the cabin. too cold to swim.

Young people, in general, are all about environmentally conscious and sustainable activities.  The powers that be in sailing need to emphasize that aspect of sailing when marketing to young people.  I share the lament about youngsters glued to smart phones, but trying to divorce them from their phones is a losing battle.  A better idea for attracting young people is to integrate smart phones, tablets, etc, into the experience.  Using them for chart plotting, youtube how to videos, etc, should be encouraged.  I find that pretending to be ignorant (very little acting involved) and letting the youngster be the hero by using their smart phone to solve a problem works well for getting them engaged.  Just some ideas.

NCBoater,

Yeah, you're right we shouldn't be hypocrites and try to discourage technology in sailing - how many of you use a GPS and wind instruments - raise your hand.

I think you are right about the youngsters being more environmentally conscience, I know my girls are. I think they may have learned some of that appreciation of nature by spending much time around the water as kids.

Ron

Every weekend was spent with my parents on a schooner out of Belmont Harbor, Chicago, or I was racing a Rhodes 19 keel as spinnaker man, and dad had a salvaged Star boat, and I found a Rhodes Penguin to buy ... made my own trailer for it, and all along we spent about every weekend on the houseboats on two rivers through the years, the Wisconsin River and later the Illinois River ... even down to New Orleans in one of them and back to Starved Rock on the Illinois. Even had a letter waiting for me as we locked back up river from my H.S. gf. with only a crayola drawing of the houseboat on the envelope addressed "To Master Craig Weis some where on the Mississippi River." The lock master laughed as he passed the letter to my mom as she held the bow line in the Sampson post welded to the bow with a smile.  

And every once in a while on Friday afternoon in high school the P's would toss me the keys to the houseboat and say, " Get your buddies and go houseboating. Be sure to fill the water tank, the fuel tank and vacuum the inside. Have fun. " Friday night we'd motor up river to Seneca, Illinois and go girl hunting at their Marina. We'd get dates to take boating on Saturday and Sunday and over to Bull's Island to go swimming while their parents kind of followed in their Chris Craft cabin cruiser.

In college my girlfriends would go boating ...  usually end up sleeping on the roof of the houseboat with my P's down below. Funny story, we got caught in a huuuuuuuge [thanx Trump] down pore and by the time we went below, her white one piece swimming suit that she was in was drenched and went opaque and my dad asked if she had paid a lot for that suit ... she answers, " Not really." He says, " Good 'cause you didn't get a lot. And mom would say, "Ohhh, O'Lee, stop". My dad was always teasing my girlfriends.

Thinking about it, with the exception of dropping a few quarters into a Pac-Man game and having my butt beat'en badly at Calamity Jane's, a bar in Glenview, I never have played any electronic games. I never liked games. And I'm a proud owner of a dumb O' flip phone. I don't smart phone. My CP-19 is my first boat with any electronics on board [Rayathon 435i chart plotter and a Rayathon ST-40 Bi data unit],  ... even the houseboats had zero electronics 'cept for a radio ... and never a phone. Dad shoved off to get away from the phone or office on base.

Kids today are worthless ... but then again so am I. I don't have any kids.  

craig.

Quote
Kids today are worthless ... but then again so am I.

LOL.  I'm reminded of a story, which I may have shared before, but I'm getting old, so aren't I allowed to repeat myself?

A business owner had a crew of teenagers building pre-fab construction units, and complained that kids just aren't motivated today.  A consultant came in to observe the work--the young crew moved like snails stuck in molasses.  The business owner appeared to be right.

A while later, the bell rang indicating the lunch break had begun.  The crew suddenly became energized, running at full speed to the far end of the warehouse where they played basketball.  They played with enthusiasm, excited about the competition.  Once the lunch break was over, they quickly ran back and resumed the sluggish pace of work.

The kids were motivated, although the work didn't have the appeal of the competitive basketball game.  By changing the perspective of work, making it competitive with teams like the basketball game they found fun, the business owner easily increased the crew's productivity.

There are many in the next generation, and like the teenagers building construction units, they are motivated.  The may have different needs to make sailing something fun they want to do over and over.

tmw,

Thanks for that, the positive approach always seems to be the real solution.

Just for amusement: I once spotted a bumper sticker that read - Hire A Teenager While They Still Know Everything.

PCB:
   My father in law had a hand painted sign in his shop; "Teenagers are people who will someday grow up to be as stupid as they think their parents are".

Well since i started this topic figured i better be working on the answer to the question. Just got back from a productive three day stay with the boat where PeterG who is now sans boats was the best as he helped me rig No Mas for the first time in her new home. He said he's been sailing for 26 years and was done. I pointed out that he had started about the same time we had quit 26 years ago and now we are starting and he has quit! This may contain some of the answer to the question.

We did not live near large bodies of water when we started sailing but both of us had been exposed to boats and the marine community through our families as kids. My father's family was on Cape Cod, my wife's from the mountains but her dad had a boat (not sail) on the OBX. Thus both of us had imprinted being on boats.

We both are of the age where fiberglass revolutionized the boating industry about the time we were becoming of age as well. Nobody would have considered a wooden boat that just sat at a marina while they did other things in their lives. The sailing community by the wooden construction of the boats was small, near the water, and entire families participated. Heck the Chesapeake Skipjacks plied the water of the the bay doing the job that power boats now accomplish, and this was just a generation ago. Fiberglass changed all of that.

We are also of the age where even TV did not provide instant information and the internet, PC's, smart phones, etc. were tucked into the brains of the Steve Jobs and Bill Gates of the world. If you wanted something to do it usually involved other people face to face and many times were outside. The information age was just beginning and the wonder and mystery of the world was still palpable with every National Geographic i read. Robin Lee Graham's voyage was covered over a few issues and I was with him on board Dove the entire time. All this contributed to a culture of "get out and do something"!

In our case it was: Exposure to boats at an early age + boats being more viable (fiberglass) + a spark (Voyage of Dove) = sailing
Also in our case:    Starting careers (not near boat) + starting family (had small boat) + buying farm (lots of work) = selling boat
Finally in our case: Staying exposed to boats + lots of boats now available + a spark (getting older) - career (now retired) - family (parents all
                            gone, kids all grown up) = getting a boat again.

We only sailed for a few years (8) when young then for the reasons above we stopped, however the desire never left probably also for the reasons above. I can see that we have a culture that says go to school + get good grades = get a good job. Success is now somewhat defined by position and income. Success is simply the attainment of a goal nothing else, but unfortunately we have narrowed what is considered successful by society. They are still out there but generally the Robin Lee Grahams now go to college not to sea. If you scroll back throughout posts you will find the wording on our son's diploma, it remains our belief. Now get out here and adopt a young sailor!!!

No Mas that is an interesting reflection on the subject.  However, I have to say that while I was certainly interested in the concept, the physics associated with the pastime, and being on the water in a quiet manner, I observed that non-sailing girls way back at the time I started sailing seemed to be impressed with those who sailed, interested in being asked along, and there were those nice Islands to sail to and...........

It, of course, was risky business.  As you well know, a sailing trip can end up anywhere on the continuum, from delightful to wretched depending on wind, weather, and the soundness of the craft.  My BIL for instance, partner in my early boats, had one of his dates never speak to him again after a particularly trying trip which involved doldrums, fog, and ultimately dumping her over the side in shallow water about a quarter mile from shore so she could wade up and catch her ride back to school, while we waited out the fog to make our way to the marina.  This of course was the pre GPS and cell phone era.

So maybe therein lies the key to rekindling interest in the sailing with the young.  Sell the concept to the fairer sex and provide the proper motivation.

I can say this, I am 34, and have been working my tail off since I started working at 15 years old.
I have lived on my own since late 16 years old, paying rent. Long story all that is.

I got into sailing after almost getting killed being struck by lightning. I worked for that marina almost 20 years, and didnt start sailing till the last few years. Why? Well, it is kinda expensive to have a boat, but in all reality, it is relative to what ever one is interested in overall.

Most guys my age here are drinking their money away, or drugs. They dont have the motivation to do things and maintain it.

Recently I have been going through some issues relating to the boat we own. We have it up for sale, but I really hate to sell it off cause it is truly enjoyable to sail. But, WE just dont have the time, our jobs feel like they own us, and frankly, it seems like they do. Working around 60 to 70 hours a week, salary, not including drive time is getting tiresome.

I was lucky enough to pick up a new hobby, which luckily doesnt have the same setup time as sailing. This has helped get me by the stress loads and such, but nothing compares to sailing in my eyes........ Oh, and I drink a lot more too, which doesnt seem to make the problems go away, but makes my brain stop for short bursts.

So where are all the young people at? Well, drinking due to long hours at their jobs, or the kids games, and the fast pace of buy this now lifestyles that dont allow the time it takes to sail, camp, etc.

Just my 2 cents. I am positive there are some other variables to this, but I need to go clean my guns, and my bottle of crown calls my name ever so sweetly, as work is in the horizon where I need to add yet another day to my rotations to prepare for inventory a few weeks away.......... (and by the way, I am able to sleep in my back seat of my car, which is a good thing, cause we work everyday up to inventory soon....)

Mac

Found some!

A young couple painting the stripes on the hull of a boat they inherited. They are pretty excited about getting her out. Also found out the the fellow knows many of the musicians we play with her in the center of the known universe.

Another young couple trying to raise the sail on a new boat to them on the hard on a VERY windy day. Actually rocked the jack stands before they could get it under control.  Lesson learned! The fact the couples were out and excited about being on the water was putting a smile on my face. :)

Finally met a gentleman and his son (23) who were out looking at boats. He was getting ready to return to sailing after 25yrs. (my exact time frame) and hoping to get his son on board. The young man looked pretty into it! Same plan for our son, who shed tears when we had our little boat trailer away to a new owner 25 years ago.

Thing is, it's not just sailing that's not super high on kids' agendas these days.  Have you perhaps noticed how driving seems nowhere near as "mission critical" for those coming up now?  When I was 15 my entire focus was on getting that learner's permit, getting through the test and getting behind the wheel.  I am not the only parent of a teenager I know who has noticed that their kid seems happy enough to take it or leave it.  I expect that in my own kid's case it could have something to do with his eternal quest to obtain the Sacred Dental Floss of Mordor from the Realm of the Unmentionables of Mylanta, or whatever the hell it is he's up to online.  When the abstract world blends with the "real" one priorities will get shifted around, and understandably so.  Freedom and self-determination and true "personhood" for me in, say, 1976, meant getting me and my coworkers to the Jack-in-the-Box under our own steam to ask the clown for soggy cat food tacos after a shift at the mall.  How exactly could you expect that to match up to being fresh from battle with the Haxxoids of Nebulon Gamma Prime. emerging resplendently from the fray in your bejeweled battle flip-flops? Eh?

If you think it's lonely now out on the waves, just wait 'til Virtual Reality, that perennial "next big thing", finally really gets in gear with adequate processor speeds and tactile feedback gear.  Never mind those tumbleweeds in the marina lot.  If you're an oldster still reading that last newspaper, it may well have a handy how-to article titled something like "How can I get my kid to poop in the porcelain, when I can't get him off the Planet of Drunken Dental Hygienist Taylor Swift Clones".  See you out there sooner than you think, Waterworld.

(http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--_5ktLSGu--/gsbdxaypowjtfbagqg1v.jpg)

I don't know about the rest of the country,  but I sail in the Boston area and at Community Boating we pump through about 2,000 kids every summer.
I was on the hook in Situate last July and I had to wait an hour to get to the fuel dock because the kids would take turns sailing to the fuel dock to get their  freeze pops.  I also had a lot of fun watching the kids weaving between the large yachts and its amazing how coordinated  those 10 year olds are .
So things don't look so bad here.

Brian

Bilgemaster, That picture of a guy staring in to the matrix while sipping soylent green scares the hell out of me!

I have two lifelong passions, sailing and amateur astronomy, and they are both suffering and I think for the same reason.

When I was in my twenties, trying to scrape out a living in an endless string of blue collar jobs, chasing women and going to school, I still had the free time and resources and enthusiasm to own a trailerable sailboat, and a small telescope.  As I got older, and a bit more affluent, and had more free time (I was happily married and no longer chasing skirts) I got a bigger telescope and bigger boat.  That's when I noticed the overhead. 

The more complex and fulfilling an activity, the more time and effort goes into maintaining that effort.  Bigger and bigger boats require more maintenance and repair, certainly more expense, and they're tied up with docking fees, insurance, finding crew and all the other administrative crap.  With the astronomy, it usually means driving further and further into the wilderness to find a sky dark enough to see the faint fuzzies your big new scope is capable of revealing.

Eventually, laziness takes over.  You come to resent spending more time in travel, set-up, clean-up and put-away than in execution.  A boat capable of doing overnights and weekends, and even extended coastal cruising, is simply too much trouble to take out for just an afternoon.  And afternoons just don't seem to cut it any more. Driving two hours just to get far out enough to find a really dark sky is frustrating when half the time it is overcast when you get there.

If you have a companion who shares your passion, a spouse or child or friend, maybe its worth it.  But I never could keep one for long.  My wife gladly joined me, but I could tell she didn't have the same love for sea or sky I did.  It was just something she put up with for my sake. It broke my heart, but I just couldn't make her come along, no matter how much she pretended she was having a good time.  And unless you can share what you love with someone else, it just doesn't seem worth the hassle, especially as you get older and slower, and everything seems to be more and more of an aggravation.

I don't believe the "I don't have the time anymore" excuse.  It is an excuse, and it is used to hide the real truth from us, a truth I have been forced to accept, whether I want to or not. I have learned that the older and more settled I get, the more free time I have, and the more I can compartmentalize my time and resources.  But I have also learned that I am no longer willing to spend the time and effort dealing with the overhead.   I've gotten lazy. Maybe if I lived in a house by the water with its own dock and access to blue water, or had a backyard observatory behind my mountaintop Arizona home.  But I don't.  And it was never likely I'd have either, certainly not both.

Its easy blaming today's young people, but maybe they've learned by watching us. As for those of you who have learned or worked your way around this dilemma, I salute you, and I envy you.

http://i.imgur.com/3ehMD3L.jpg

Artwork courtesy of Mr Fritz Seegers.

Brian, glad to hear that Community Boating is going strong. That organization, for a dollar a summer, gave me an introduction to sailing that I probably never would have found despite my love of the water.  That I could learn and sail was beyond my 14 year old perception.  There is one part of the sport that I do care to see grow, that's youth sailing programs. Catch kids when they still have broad imaginations and give them a chance for some challenge, some adventure, some chance to be competent at something real.  Give them some basic skills, put them in command of a small boat  and stand back. Maybe they will stay with it or come back to it like many of us but more importantly they will have the chance discover important things about themselves and what they are capable of doing. 

In the town where I live there is an active free youth sailing program that runs daily for two weeks each summer. I don't know how it was started but the annual budget is small and its staffed largely by volunteers. The kids keep coming back and many help with the younger ones. 

They are out there.  Look here:  www.sailinganarchy.com.  Check out the videos and links to other sites.   The Fort to Battery race last weekend will open some eyes. 

The youngsters are into going fast.  Foiling kite boards, foiling moths, and foiling cats.  The foiling tech is trickling down from the America's Cup races a couple of years ago.   

They are drawn to the quick setup, ease of storage, and it is relatively inexpensive to start out (you can carry your equipment around in a SUV with a small trailer), and fun.   Just like my Sunfish was when I was 15 and my Hobie was when I was in my early twenties. 

Philb has it exactly right.  Get them young, like they do at Lake Geneva and many other lakes in the midwest.  Inland racing is still very popular because it is family oriented, fairly cheap to start out and lots of fun.  Some will stay with it, some not. 


Fair winds, sail on,


Vectordirector

Quote from: Jim23 on April 12, 2016, 10:24:53 AM
Bilgemaster, That picture of a guy staring in to the matrix while sipping soylent green scares the hell out of me!

Oh yeah?  Well, don't you worry, Jimmy.  I mean, haven't you ever wondered what on earth could be going on any given nondescript Tuesday morning when you happen to call for some technical assistance or something, and a recording assures you that "Your call is very important to us" and further that "We are experiencing higher than normal call volume, but our representatives will be with you shortly.  Please remain on the line," whereupon you're then treated to just shy of an hour of Opus No. 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6g4dkBF5anU)?  Catchy tune, right?  Well, our man here and his cohort, you see, they're all goggled up just waiting patiently for their guy to score that Sacred Floss from the Dental Hygiene Fairies of Gummerygoo.  So, just relax and enjoy the music.  because, although you may not realize it, you're already well "acculturated", and after all...Your call is very important to "Them."

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My, we have opened a larger issue that less younger sailboaters may be a symptom of. I use my cell phone as my backup electronic chart but just received the updated paper charts and am on the trail of that sextant! I love the digital age but with it comes much need to balance such. We didn't need gyms when lives involved more physical activity. Even more reason to encourage younger folks who may confuse virtual lives form real ones! Can't think of a more contemplative, in the moment, physically active activity as sailing.

First let me say that we are the proud new owners of a beautiful older Sun Cat.  Love the line, love the fact that it was designed by the guy who designed the first boat that I sailed (opti).  Cat boats are cooler as I grow older.  The first boat I owned was a beetlecat so I'm kind of coming back home a bit.
     I believe that the future of the sport lies in community sailing programs.  The growth in our area is huge.  Kids can get into the sport for next to nothing.  Around here we have a huge program in New Bedford, Fall River, programs on Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, Pleasant Bay in Orleans, and most of the towns have programs that cater to as many as 700 kids per summer, like the program in the Town of Yarmouth.  Sail Cape Cod caters to all including special needs.  Leave the porch bunnies and martini drinkers to the yacht clubs.  The next generation of sailors will come from the many wonderful community programs around us. 

Darn kids and their phones.....

(http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l594/CPYOA/Mobile%20Uploads/image_2.jpeg) (http://s1125.photobucket.com/user/CPYOA/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_2.jpeg.html)

I like your humor, Jason and it's true. Everyone everywhere seems to be worshipping their phones. The most fun I have with mine is leaving it in the car! "Bad phone-stay!"
Bob23

Quote from: Bob23 on April 16, 2016, 07:03:23 AM
I like your humor, Jason and it's true. Everyone everywhere seems to be worshipping their phones. The most fun I have with mine is leaving it in the car! "Bad phone-stay!"
Bob23

Yup, just went for a good block of time (days not long ago) with no phone, or for that matter any connection with the digital age. Ah.......:)

Also just attended our first yacht club event, (we got talked into it) and no youngsters there! Cant really blame them. The bloodies and mimosas were good though and blessing of the fleet kinda neat. Not many people really understand we have a 23 foot boat though! We did run into a couple our age from the same hometown that keep their Precision 23 at the same marina. Yea....for small boats!

Just got back from Annapolis and in 'the sailboat capital of the world' we truly got a chance to see a multitude of boots and sailors. The Wednesday night races brought out all ages and hitting 'The Boatyard' restaurant/bar afterwards there was a definite skew to the older sailor but a healthy mix of many ages. It was also a midweek night and we remember what having kids in school, and jobs does to mid-week events! Overall in such a location you are immersed in the boating community. Heck having the Naval Academy certainly puts a bunch of young boaters nearby!

There are many reasons anyone into sailing should go to Annapolis at least once (have been many times) but there are other reasons to avoid it.......found myself on a few boats thinking........

Apparently, my youngest son has gone over to the "dark side". He just "acquired" a 2002 SeaRay 210. Prior to that, he had been dreaming about a 42 foot cat to sail the Caribbean. Now he'll have a real "hole in the ocean" to pour his money into.

Marty K.

Well as we come up on a year since we returned to the world of boats and sailing I reread this thread while sitting on Interlude and thought more about the discussions that were tenured. In Particular Henry C's comments about the trouble with the time and effort involved in a task have resonated with what has happened in this past year. We have gone through three boats in 11 months. Currently have two, a 31 and a 16. In a nutshell we put 26 years of no boats into one and as a result have arrived at a point that feels right. The 31 is our home away from home and dream maker while the 16 is our low overhead, no hassle, get out and sail boat. It was the acquisition of the 16 that reminded me of why we got into sailing when young. It was affordable, simple, few hassles, just the act of sailing with dreams of more someday. The only difference is that now that dream of cruising more is something we can touch and actually begin to do.

Henry's comments about how when he was younger and had simpler things (boats and telescopes) it was easier to just do them may explain much about the "Where is the Next Generation". We have always known that less is more but sometimes forget. Kids now, compliments of many parents, are exposed to and given more not less and thus become less inclined to take less and thus give it more. I am more excited about the 16 for bringing my son and grandson into sailing than the 31. Heck I am almost more excited about the 16 than the 31 for myself because of the less is more understanding that has finally returned. Don't get me wrong though, we love our 31 too! Just gunna use the little boat to stoke the dreams of our younger generation and keep ours fired up.

Now wondering if we really should keep the farm!

It has already happened! During a musician's session last night with close friends and a 35 year span in years (guess who is on the upper end!) it became known we got Mas. Her description and cost has peaked the interest of one of the folks at the session (age 31) to get a sailboat!

This forum and group is the best. Wonderful, approachable boats with folks having the same qualities!

Go out and get one! (boat and/or younger sailor  :))

That is awesome.  I am glad that we are getting new people involved.

Spent most of last week on the boat and met two young couples who just went in together on a very used sloop. They know little about sailing but are very excited. Just listening to them talk about their plans sure put a smile on my face. :)

They're out there, we just have to nurture them.

Last weekend was invited to be "rail meat" on a Hunter 27. Met a number of young sailors in their twenties. There is some hope. Oh BTW we managed to hit 2.1 knots. Not a lot of air. And, full disclosure... came in last (actually threw in the towel and decided to have some fun!).

Marty K.

Quote from: Mas on October 21, 2016, 09:16:27 PM
Spent most of last week on the boat and met two young couples who just went in together on a very used sloop. They know little about sailing but are very excited. Just listening to them talk about their plans sure put a smile on my face. :)

They're out there, we just have to nurture them.

The 'dudes' of the two couples were just coming in from a full day out with huge smiles pasted across their faces. They saw me on our boat and insisted i come over for some cheese and crackers and a cold one. They couldn't wait to tell me about their trip that day to a place we had suggested. "This has been the best thing i have ever done" was one of the fellow's comments about getting their boat. Yup they're out there!

Well while down at the bay for CBMWG 2.0 ran into the above mentioned dudes who were sitting in the cockpit of their boat on a gorgeous day having cold beers. The wind was up and so asked them if they were going out......"nope we came down to work on the boat" Hmmm.....when asked about the seemingly little work being done and the obvious beer drinking, they replied "oh this is our planning session!" I'd say that this particular example of a New Generation of sailors seems to be fitting in quite well already thank you!   :)

I would take some sailors closer to my age.  My wife complains about not having people my age sail!

I think that people will pick it up later on.  Honestly age is but a number.  It really doesn't matter where you work, what you do, how old you are, or any of that stuff because when you sail you are just part of the family.

Quote from: HeaveToo on February 15, 2017, 08:45:13 PM
I would take some sailors closer to my age.  My wife complains about not having people my age sail!

I think that people will pick it up later on.  Honestly age is but a number.  It really doesn't matter where you work, what you do, how old you are, or any of that stuff because when you sail you are just part of the family.

Agreed! We play music out here every Thursday and the sessions span 40 years in age. One of my best friends has a father my age. It just doesn't matter. I am always asking what people are going to do when they grow up because frankly i am looking for good ideas!

Most of my friends are older anyway.  The love out the outdoors knows no age.  Young or old, if you love the outdoors then you get along with other people who love it.  I love fly fishing and sailing and I will sail or fish with anyone that likes to do those things.

Music is the same way.  I always want to learn the acoustical guitar but I have too many hobbies already!

Well, it's time to revive his topic as another potential future sailor was encountered this past week. I had gone down to our boat(s) with the intention of some sailing but ended up doing some major cleaning, misc. maintenance and lots of kayaking with the light and variable winds and nice temps we had.

On one such trip this week met a young man who I had seen around our little marina, usually with headphones on and never engaging in any conversation with anyone, but he was bringing one of the marina's kayaks back and engaged in a conversation with me. It became obvious why he rarely engages anyone, as he is a severe stutterer. In spite of that, as i patiently listened, he talked about how he dreams someday of having a sailboat and living aboard, though he had NEVER EVER been on a boat. I offered to let him see our boat and he asks, "is that permitted?". He rents one of the little apartments there and was under the impression he was not allowed on the docks. Will spread the word to the little sailing community there to embrace him and stoke that dream. He viewed us (boat owners) as an unapproachable group so far removed from his daily grind that if it had not been us having to chat so we could put the kayaks away, he still would believe he was "not allowed".

Those of you all who have been down to our little marina know for a fact it is far from that perception. It does speak to a widening gap between younger folks and their hopes and desires and what we felt to be doable goals and dreams decades ago. I saw him as I was leaving today and instead of walking looking down he looked over smiled and waved. One small step for a man......one giant leap for his kind.

The future of sailing is in community boating.  Yacht clubs exclude and press the party atmosphere.  Access for all. 

Well time to dust off this thread.

As some folks are aware, my skiing and boarding season ended rather abruptly last month on my 20th day on the snow with season ending injuries that have left me with much time unable to do much, such as walk or drive, and thus started investigating the many You Tube sailing channels that are out there. Most start modestly and the quality improves until many are quite well edited and produced. What finally occurred to me after finding a few that were noteworthy and binge watching the episodes, is that they are mostly my son's age, Millennials that are either frustrated with a world that has left them with many of our traditional life paths less accessible than for us or as the navel architect W.I.B. Crealock (who designed our boat) decided to do, retire early and pursue those dreams and then work late in life.

If you have some time to kill, as clearly I do, watch some of them. Currently binge watching 'Sailing Uma'. By and large most of these channels are not 'trustafarians' out there consuming the bread of life on daddy's dough but are clearly self funded by utilizing crowd funding sites such as Patreon, getting sponsorships, much DIY, and stopping to work when needed.

Yup, there they are! The next generation out there documenting their adventures as only the new generation can!

included a link to the current channel that I am watching:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAye0mf2A8g&list=PLx_mGFQfb39FRLFgmfdJhD9gAzlim5NPR

Sailing Uma is great. Youtube has a great variety of young sailors. We're currently subscribed to Tula's Endless Summer, Sailing Ruby Rose(Gen X age), Sailing Soulianas, SV Delos, The Adventures of Tarka, Sampson Boat Co, and older but great Distant Shores. Distant Shores just posted a video with Delos. It was interesting to hear how intrusive filming their adventures can be to make these great videos. I can barely remember to take short videos at celebrations, let alone taking videos all day, everyday of what seems like nothing. Like you said, "as only the new generation can."

Keep us posted on any other channels you find.

I agree with community boating being the key.  I grew up on Lake Erie and my parents sent me to a summer camp where we got to sail on Hobie Cats on a small lake.  That's where I got the sailing bug and being near Lake Erie, I spent my summer's renting various small sailboats to learn how to sail single hull and various versions of Cats.  I'm in my 40's now and that camp, along with the boat rental place is gone, out of business.  The only way to get experience in sailing now in that same area is to know someone with a boat, charter a boat, or buy a boat.  About five years ago, I searched for similar summer camps all along Lake Erie for my kids and none of them had any boating options aside from canoes and row boats.

I now no longer live close to the Great Lakes (about 3 hours south) so I bought my Compac 16 two summers ago and am introducing sailing to my three daughters.  So far they like it, although two are in their teens now, so its hard to compete with smart phones, friends, and summer sports/activities.  I never force them to go, but always offer the option.  My youngest has gleefully taken me up on the offer every time. 

I believe that is the key, you really don't know what you're missing until you experience it and unfortunately, those opportunities to experience sailing as few and far between.   

In Traverse City there is a Community Sailing organization that teaches kids especially, but also families, how to sail. The little kids start in prams and have a riot once they get comfortable. They "graduate" to sporty little Bic boats and on to Lasers, 420's and Interlakes. There are also several others craft in the fleet, including some "family" boats. It is great fun to watch the kids sporting around the lake and lots of young folk are learning and appreciating sailing. A couple pix attached to illustrate.

On Lake Eustis in central Florida the Lake Eustis Youth Sailing Foundation has been teaching youth and adults since 2004.  "The Lake Eustis Youth Sailing Foundation is a small but growing and vibrant 501 (c) (3) organization dedicated to teaching young people the lifelong sport of sailing. LEYSF provides affordable access to quality sailing instruction for Central Florida's youth. Our mission is to provide an environment that stresses safety, good sportsmanship, honesty, loyalty, courage, respect for authority and respect for the environment and the community."

They are very busy most Saturdays almost all year.  The Lake Eustis Sailing Club has an active competitive schedule in February as well for MC Scows, Lasers, and Flying Scots (including National level championships).  Also, regattas are held in March and April on Lake Dora and Lake Weir nearby.

So, the sailing experience is still available and occurring!

//Bob

I'm encouraged by two things. Kayaks and community sailing programs. While they may not be sailing, many young people and families are getting into kayaking. They also can experience the quiet joy of being on the water.  Working in a gig economy and paying off student loans a good kayak is still within a young person's reach and skills can be learned as you go.

For those of us who thought sailing was out of our reach or for someone else, community sailing programs bridge that gap.  At 14 and from a working class family for a buck a summer I was in sailboats and loving what I could not have imagined. I'm very encouraged to see those efforts continue, including the one in our harbor.

Speaking of age and communiy sailing, I have a freind who has entered her junk rigged boat in this year's Race to Alaska,  750 miles from Port Townsend to Ketchican. Her one crew mate began sailing at age 60 when she saw community program boats on the Hudson River and said I want to do that. Their goal is to finish the race. They know that the 10,000 dollar first prize is far beyond them  They are not even hoping for second prize, a set of steak knives.

Our previous sail club at Grand Lake, Oklahoma, solved a couple of problems with some creative thinking.  First, the club membership was getting old.  Being mid 60's, we were some of the younger ones.  Next, most of the slips were occupied, so there wasn't a lot of room for newer boats.  The club recognized that recruiting new members needed to be a priority, or in 15 years, the club would be DEAD. 

Several families of members who had died either donated or sold cheaply the boats their aging parents had sailed to the club.

The club set up a group that would maintain those boats, provide instruction for prospective members that wanted to learn to sail them.  Those folks joined the club and for a nomial fee, were able to checkout a fleet boat much like you would rent a car. 

We've been away for a couple years, so don't know the current status, but the first couple of years, it was very popular, and let people know if sailing was for them or not, without spending a ton of $$$$.
Ron

     My wife and I are 31 and are completely hooked on sailing. We had taken two private two hour lessons last summer and were immediately hooked. We purchased a Hunter 170 as it was very similar to the Hunter 180 and American 18 we took lessons on and sailed at least once a week last year. We sold it this past November and after months of research purchased an 81 C16 in good condition. I know we will continue to sail for many, many years to come.

      I would love to see other young families pick up sailing, we are always talking it up to our friends and family. If you go on youtube there seems to be a lot of young people and couples in their 20's & 30's picking up sailing and documenting their journeys on the internet. Although, most of these people seem to be going right into the "cruising life style" on a 30+ foot boat with no experience. For now, we are more than content sailing a salty little trailerable pocket cruiser. 

Locally we have a maritime museum that builds a row boat  as a school STEM project.  Great idea.  My question to them was why a rowboat.  Why not build a small sailboat, like an opti. Their response.  We don't teach sailing and they would be too hard to get rid of and sell.  My response to that was well, why not just pass it on and work with local community boating programs to continue the STEM teaching while the students are learning how to sail.  Local business could be involved by donating the funds need to build an optimist.  Very short money.  Boats could be built and wrap advertising could be used on the hull and sail.  A win for the local business who gets their name out on the water for a couple of seasons.  A win for the students who have an expanded STEM experience AND learn a new sport.  Imagine a half dozen optimist prams, perhaps cold molded for longer life, all with business logos on the hull and sails.  Beautiful.  Easily done.  Thoughts and another tip of the hat to Clark Mills

There are many great programs out there for young men and women. There just aren't as many continuing to stay in boating, more than likely due to the cost once they are on their own. My generation had it easier in many ways as far as cost of life than folks currently in their 20's. and 30's. Our little 16 "Mas" will not splash at all this year secondary to both my injury (even less stable on a little moving deck!) and little used last year as was mostly taking "Interlude" out, along with helping a friend new to sailing at age 60, with a new to her 16, learn the ropes. She is now crewing in the weekend races here. Railmeat at first but gaining skills. "Mas" will have her day again in the not too distant future to teach my grandson how to trick the wind into moving his boat. He already refers to her as "our" boat. I'm definitely planting the seeds for him.

I'm a year one millennial (1982). Just turned 37 and I've been sailing for 9 years now. I live in Miami and the big thing among people my age is paddling. Almost everyone I know owns a canoe, kayak or SUP. When I bring up sailing, everyone is always excited by the prospect of it, but it seems like it was never even on their radar before I brought it up. I think perceived cost is a big factor. They see a boat as a big expensive investment as opposed to their kayaks. And most millennials, especially in super expensive city like Miami, tend to have less expendable income. Most are surprised to learn than they could get a nice trailer sailor for just a little more than they paid for their kayaks.

Yacht clubs are elitist and push the sport as such.  Community sailing is not elitist and is open to everyone. There's your growth.   

Quote from: jdklaser on June 22, 2019, 10:03:09 AM
Yacht clubs are elitist and push the sport as such.  Community sailing is not elitist and is open to everyone. There's your growth.

I would respectfully disagree.  There are five yacht clubs on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.  I was a member of the Gulfport Yacht Club.  They have a summer youth sailing program that is open to all members families and to ANY kid sponsored by a member.  I think the other clubs have the same policy.  The GYC program was inexpensive and very good.  When I was a member, it was run by a young woman who was an Olympic sailor. 

Ironically when I applied for membership there was a waiting list.  Strings were pulled and I was moved up.  When I asked why the answer " you have a sailboat, you actually sail it, you're not going to just sit in the bar trying to soak up prestige, you represent sailing well and that is what we want at this club".

Quote from: jdklaser on June 22, 2019, 10:03:09 AM
Yacht clubs are elitist and push the sport as such.  Community sailing is not elitist and is open to everyone. There's your growth.

Some yacht clubs are elitists, some extremely so, but some a quite affordable.

Cape Cod has always been big on sailing though we too are gradually being inundated by retirees, somewhat wealthy summer-only residents and increasing housing costs.  In terms of youth access to sailing the Outer Cape (near the Atlantic) remains a bright spot.

We have three yacht clubs and one community boating site within 5 miles of my house.  If you expand the radius to 20-30 miles there are a lot of yacht clubs and a few more community boating sites.  I'm most familiar with two of the yacht clubs and the nearest community boating.

The least expensive yacht club is $250/year but only open in summer.  They have an excellent youth sailing program.  I'm not a member but served on race committee and volunteered in other roles.  Another is $600/year and open year round and I'm a member there.  The community boating serves tourists who show up and want "a lesson" (introductory, and somewhat useless) or sign kids up at last minute.  The community boating offers lessons by the hour with late booking while the yacht clubs don't.

Those who are not first time tourinsts mostly go to one of the yacht clubs where a week of lessons is in most cases cheaper and better (all instructors US Sailing certified) but require minimum one week signup and fill up months in advance so you can't just show up and decide to look for sailing lessons.  These youth programs don't require club membership.  There are also scholarships to make free sailing available to local kids that wouldn't otherwise be able to afford the lessons.  We have a $150,000 endowment to support those scholarships mostly raised in the last three years and all of our social events raise some funds for that purpose.  Our yacht club has about 200 kids each summer (I think) with about 40 scholarships awarded each year.  Some kids sign up for the full 8 week program.  Though the whole summer can get expensive it is cheaper than most day camps.  We also host two youth racing teams (opti and c420) and the regional high school sailing team.

We also have adult sailing lessons which start in April (classroom) and run to September.  These lessons are free to members.

Our club is on good terms with the local community boating.  One of our past commodores was director there until last year.  They refer kids to our program quite a bit as theirs is more introductory.  Our program is so far having a good year with sailing weeks to mid-July mostly filled to capacity (depending on instruction level) and highest booking so far for this time of year.

The problem is that the kids get older most lose interest.  US Sailing has been looking into this and trying to figure out how to address it.  It seems that after 12-14 years old sailing programs lose a lot of kids.

In 2015 a father and his two daughters, age 14 and 12, won the daysailer north american championship - fairly serious sailing - so there are exceptions.  There was also a grandfather-grandson team in that same 3 days of racing.

At our YC we are trying to encourage younger people to sail.  In the past few years we've had a few sailers in the 18-21 age range race in our club races or regattas and a few father-daughter, father-son, and mother-son racing with the younger of the two in age range of about 6-25.  All of our adult racing is daysailer or sunfish and few member boats used in racing are purchased (all used) for more than $3-$4,000.  Our regatta entry fees are mostly is the $40-50 per boat range which covers food and awards.  Our neighboring club runs a free regatta (bring your own lunch, the club pays for awards).  From that standpoint sailing a com-pac is elitist.

If you have thousands of dollars for a boat and a place to keep it, the money to keep is up, etc, that in itself is a bit elitist.  Some yacht clubs are very expensive to join or to participate in their youth programs and so you could call those even more elitist (one not far away is $25,000/year to be a member), but not all are much more elitist than owning a small boat at all.

Curtis

Curtis and Brackish.  I would respectfully disagree with your disagreement.  I say they are elitist.  You disagree, but then agree that many are elitist.  So in that respect I appreciate that you agree with me.  I am familiar with the situation on the Cape of Cod.  Time does not permit me to address the issue further now, but perhaps in an evening or two I will hash it out with you.  For me this is an important topic.  I will respond again soon.  Be well, JK     

Brackish,  Okay,  back from a week of moving family student in for the summer in NYC  and teacher to a new job from NH to MA.  Tired just thinking about it.  The gulf coast is nice, the people are nicer.  Had the opportunity to coach a local public h.s. in the national champs back in '94 in Biloxi.  Not much wind but the hospitality was great.  Words like "sponsored by, "  "pulled some strings" and "waiting list" are not usually vocab words used a lot in community sailing.    I guess my point is that with community boating you cast a wider net and give more folks a taste of the sport and bringing many to the upper levels of the sport.    As I used to tell the kids, sailing can be a life long activity.  You can make it as wild or calm as you wish.   

Curtisv,  Pleasant Bay Community Boating  makes my point.  As they say right on their website "16,000 lessons"  John Dickson and Greg Kelley have done an incredible job down there.  Not to say that OYC hasn't done a great job promoting the sport also.  Town cove is the perfect place for h.s. sailing on Cape Cod.  I coached Nauset back in 2013 and was impressed with the folks and their support.  High school sailing in the northeast should be primarily a fall sport.  I'd much rather be sailing in 70 degree water and balmy temps than a typical spring 38 degree water and spring storms. IMHO dry suits suck and the cost is prohibitive for many.   If you want to engage the kids give them an opportunity to explore the sport with windsurfing, foiling, kite sailing and stuff like that.  Nantucket Community Boating is doing it and growing in leaps and bounds.   As I said in my last post, cast a wider net with community boating.  Keep the cost lower for all and more will take part.  Outfits like Pleasant Bay, Sail Cape Cod, Nantucket Community Boating and Sail MV are exposing more people to the activity than the local YCs.  JK 

Quote from: jdklaser on July 01, 2019, 09:35:06 AM
Brackish,  Okay,  back from a week of moving family student in for the summer in NYC  and teacher to a new job from NH to MA.  Tired just thinking about it.  The gulf coast is nice, the people are nicer.  Had the opportunity to coach a local public h.s. in the national champs back in '94 in Biloxi.  Not much wind but the hospitality was great.  Words like "sponsored by, "  "pulled some strings" and "waiting list" are not usually vocab words used a lot in community sailing.    I guess my point is that with community boating you cast a wider net and give more folks a taste of the sport and bringing many to the upper levels of the sport.    As I used to tell the kids, sailing can be a life long activity.  You can make it as wild or calm as you wish.   

It would be helpful for me at least, for you to define more clearly "community" sailing.  Every place I've lived or been, educational sailing has been club sailing.  For instance, I knew that when I paid my dues part of that investment was for the purchase and maintenance of whatever one design boats were being used for youth sailing programs.  Outside of club sailing either yacht clubs or sailing clubs there has been no other opportunities any place I've been.  It is an expensive sport and not conducive to general taxpayer support in any place that I've lived or visited.  As a scout leader I have done sailing merit badge for the local troop, but I can assure you that does not cast a "wider net" and if I did not volunteer my time and boat that might not happen, and it still requires "membership" to take advantage of it.

What is community sailing?  From Clearwater Florida 
"Mission:The Mission of the Clearwater Community Sailing Center is to provide safe, enriching and affordable sailing opportunities to local residents and visitors, including youth, seniors and the disabled for the enjoyment and benefit of our entire community.
The Clearwater Community Sailing Association is a 501 – c (3) organization.
Vision: The Vision of CCSC is to become the region's most comprehensive, premier, all-year round sailing center. Traverse Area Community Sailing's mission is to provide sailing opportunities for the Grand Traverse Region by:

1. Increasing participation in sailing by community youth
2. Providing affordable sailing opportunities for community youth
3. Promoting respect and safety on the water while having fun
4. Providing a participatory activity which utilizes the unique environment indigenous       to this area
5. Promoting life-long skills and life-long recreational opportunities
6. Providing opportunities for positive involvement and instruction for community             youth during the summer
7. Promoting sailing's Corinthian Spirit of Fair Play

We strive to keep our programs affordable, due greatly to a tremendous amount of volunteers and donations. Parents are welcome to get involved, and we can always use extra help -- no experience necessary! Informal board meetings are held each Friday @noon in Traverse City. Monthly Board Meetings are held the third Monday of each month at the Grand Traverse Yacht Club. If you'd like to be involved contact us at volunteers@tacs.com
From Boston Community Boating:  The mission of community
Boating, Inc. is to enable "Sailing for All". We offer sailing and other water sports to people of all ages, abilities, and means in the greater Boston area. We promote an accessible and welcoming environment that encourages learning, volunteerism, and community spirit.
 
From TACS: 

They are everywhere that people who care about promoting the sport for all are found. 

  From US Sailing: 
Promoting & Supporting Community Sailing in the United States
The US Sailing Community Sailing Committee is committed to achieving greater diversity throughout the sport and fostering an environment that is more inclusive. Under the direction of the committee, US Sailing provides grants, accreditation and resources to support the growth of Community Sailing.

Well thanks for full disclosure.  It is a "membership club".  The facilities are nicer than all of the "yacht clubs" on my coast and far nicer than the sailing clubs I was familiar with in other places.  There are membership fees.  They are as high or higher than many of the sailing clubs and it is in Clearwater a fairly large and somewhat affluent metro area.  It looks like a very nice place but while you mentioned "Sponsored" youth participation, even though they are not required to be members, as  being a bad thing the following quote might be relevant. 

"All youth sailors must be annual members of CCSC."

You, of course are entitled to your opinion regarding "Yacht Clubs" and their elitist attitude particularly in the context that they are not doing anything for youth sailing.  I've not found that at least in my small part of world and would continue to respectfully disagree.  I'm sure Community Sailing is a very good alternative.  I'm also sure there is room for both venues, particularly in smaller towns. I support the existence of both but not one at the exclusion of the other.

Ok boys, bury the sword. As the OP of this thread i would remind everyone that the topic is "Where are all the new generation of sailboaters" not debating which way is best. I just helped a Millennial couple buy a boat at our marina, where the private yacht club with a $85 fee annually is open to anyone. It is not community boating nor elitist and frankly who cares what is is if it gets folks on the water. Join forces, not divide them as the more diverse the different venues are the more than likely we bring on a new generation. Meanwhile slip those lines with someone new to sailing. We all have much to learn.

Peace,
Mas

Amen to that.  Brackish, now you are aware of  community boating.  I'm surprised since
it's been around for a bit longer than you and I
have been on the hard. There are a lot of great
ideas coming out of community boating sites that do a ton for the idea of
access for all without limitations, which is the focus of community boating. 16,000 lessons since 2004 at Pleasant Bay Community Boating.  That's a lot of new folks that may not have had the opportunity or means to enjoy the activity.  My point is simple.  The question;  where are all the new generation of sailboaters coming from.  My answer.  Community boating. 

" My point is simple.  The question;  where are all the new generation of sailboaters coming from.  My answer.  Community boating. "

Hey jdk, guess the word "all" doesn't go with "coming from". Truly my friend there are sooo...many ways folks get exposed to sailing. If you look at the backgrounds of most of the sailing vlogggers, many simply had a dream to cruise, got a boat and made it happen. Those channels influence many others to do the same. It was the National Geographic series of articles by Robin Lee Graham and his boat Dove that did it for me. The Millennial couple i mentioned got hooked because a friend took them sailing a few times. There are many different ways. Community soccer influences thousands of young men and women, but most never continue past high school. It mostly takes a special and personal connection to have anyone continue in any endeavor. I applaud your commitment to community programs but I wouldn't be concerned about which way is best, go take someone sailing! I'm going to next week. My signature phrase says it all, "The big thing is to just do it!"

.....on a side note, since i am a Boomer and have been retired for many years, we rarely go to our marina and go sailing on weekends just cuz! Lately circumstances have had us there on weekends more often and lo and behold, there are the younger sailors! Dooh, they are still working Monday through Friday! Hmmm....maybe I should learn to look for someone when they are there!

Sorry.  sometimes I get a bit pointed.  Been sailing since 1959, start up municipal sailing  programs in 2 towns 1973 and 1993, and helping with another community boating more recently 2015, coaching public h.s. sailing for a couple of schools here 1993 to'95 and 2013 , sold everything from windsurfers to trawlers, taught sailing and windsurfing extensively, sales manager for a couple of marinas.  My point is I've seen a lot of stuff over the years and have seen what works and what doesn't. Sorry if I offended anyone.  I just think it is really cool that I found a Sun Cat for my wife and I to sail.  What a cool boat.  And the line -- it's perfect.   And the best part is that the designer is the person who has had the greatest impact in the sport with his design of a slightly smaller boat, and the story is even better.   Now, that's grass roots.  It's all good.  JK   

Quote from: Mas on March 27, 2016, 09:33:07 PM
It is good that younger folks spend time outside with no cell phones and the organized life of weekend soccer games. So little time to reflect when your life remains planned for you and you become uncomfortable with the prospect of being alone. We seem to encourage that "more is better."

"At sea, I learned how little a person needs, not how much."
-  Robin Lee Graham

Robin's book and voyage fundamentally changed my life as i became aware how less can be more. Too many helicopter parents insist upon a life predestined to be one of acquisition and stature. We allowed our son to pursue his dreams (not ours) and he has been grateful ever since. We homeschooled him and gave him his diploma with this written on it:

"The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him he's always doing both. "

Sailing is just such a path. We may lament the work our boats may need but all is forgotten when the wind fills your sails. Is it work when it is done with such little distinction between work and play, destination and voyage, knowing that we do not dictate the voyage but instead the wind and sea. This is difficult for many young folks who have their whole lives planned out for them. I am grateful for the opportunity to have sailing back in my life again. It's time to get those youngins out there as well! Lots of boats for the classroom, the sea is a great teacher, where are the students? I'm gunna find some!

I am grateful and impressed so many have found this topic worthy of discussion. I figured it was time to quote my post from years ago when this thread first started as it is still my belief as to what is happening not just for sailing but many other endeavors that require being outside and in touch with your surroundings. I do acknowledge there are many that do have an outdoors lifestyle but am convinced it is in decline as our digital world and the distractions and commitments it brings takes the place of simply being outside. As I type this I am sitting on our porch looking at our mountains planning our work outside today. It is so easy to sit and look at it but not actually go do something. With that said heading out before the rain arrives. Heavy rains forecast, may have to dust off the whitewater kayaks!

Take a look at the cool things that Nantucket Community Boating is doing to keep the kids in the game.  Check out the "Star" twin sailboard they are building, the intro to kite boarding, and foiling lessons on Waspz.  It's all on their website and facebook page.  A well run operation.  Had an opportunity to sail in their fundraising regatta last summer in the Lasers.  Hadn't been in a boat for 15 years, (ACL) overweight, old, but it was well run and fun.  Wind wasn't to my liking and the seas were lumpy gravy.  I was fat, but the pictures will prove the boat was powered up and flat.   The kiteboarding pics were spectacular.  These kids will be sailing for quite a while.  JK

Check this out.  Get more kids into the sport.


https://www.ussailing.org/education/youth/siebel-sailors-program/