Media prefers the posh narrative

Historically associated with the wealthy, sailing has been portrayed as a high-society hobby. And why not, as clubs are private and often exclusive. As a founding sport for the Summer Olympics, there was such worry about the perceived elitist connotation that the 2000 Games changed the name from yachting to sailing.

For sure, Sailing can be ridiculously expensive, but if you are a member of the OPB (Other People’s Boats) Club, a local day of racing doesn’t require much more than sunscreen and should get you lunch. But the mainstream media prefers the posh narrative, with the BroBible lifestyle website ranking Sailing as #2 (behind auto racing) on their Most Expensive Sports In The World list:

It should go without saying but anything involving boats is expensive. Especially sailing at the America’s Cup level and other competitive Sailing done in bays and oceans where the boats are under constant attack from corrosive saltwater.

At the entry level, sailing can cost up to $5K/year and at the highest levels, a 2013 America’s Cup winner was believed to have spent $300 MILLION on the boat, team, and competition. Even at the mid-level, sailing vessels often exceed $100,000.

So, as far as barriers to entry goes, Sailing is up there with any of the most expensive sports in the world. And that’s not including having a docking slip, trailer, travel, team costs, logistics, constant repairs, etc.