What does the next generation want?

by Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt Sailing News
Improving participation in sailing is frequent topic. There is no greater attraction to anything than a strong community, because everyone enjoys being a part of something. However, improving equipment tends to get more attention.

Unlike other sports, such as basketball that defines the size of the ball, court, and hoops, sailing equipment continues to evolve. No doubt, boats keep going through the water at greater pace, but will this improve participation? SKAW LAB hopes so.

“In recent years, we started from the observation that leisure boating has not evolved much and still remains far removed from what exists in offshore racing—namely foiling boats and scows (rounded bows),” noted Benoît Marie, a professional skipper and French engineer.

“Sailing competition should bring something better to the greatest number of people.

“Based on this principle, we founded SKAW LAB, a naval architecture design office that imagines, develops, and refines the technology of tomorrow’s boats. I’m thinking of foils, hull shapes, structures, onboard systems, autopilots, data analysis, hydrodynamics, and of course construction.”

Now in my 60s, leisure boating for me is more about ice cubes and beverages, and not foiling and automation. Is this what the next generation wants? Standing by.