Where are all the next generation of sailboaters?

[Mas]

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.

[MKBLK]

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.

[Mas]

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!

[Mas]

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!   

[HeaveToo]

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.

[Mas]

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!

[HeaveToo]

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!

[Mas]

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.

[jdklaser]

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

[Mas]

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

[Reighnman]

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.

[greg988]

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.   

[Jim in TC]

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.

[Floridagent]

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

[philb Junkie19]

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.