How to boost participation in sailing

The Old Boat Sailor Facebook page asked the classic question, “What would you do to boost participation in sailboat racing? How do we get it back to where it was in the 80s and 90s?”

A lot has changed since then which can’t be undone. Modern boats are harder to sail and require greater skill. People are trying harder at their recreation which now consumes more time and money to excel. But there were some comments to consider:

Ron Baerwitz:
It is like any sport or activity. Most kids are influenced by their parents’ activities. Get them while they are young and don’t rely on phones for their primary activity!

Chris Watts:
Have races that include everyone, the wider the better. For example, San Francisco’s 3 Bridge Fiasco, all 3 bridges any direction any order and it’s a double handed pursuit race. Over 300 boats in recent years.

Bob Fossum:
Place more emphasis on “SAILBOATS” not foils! Star, Lightning, Thistles, 110s, 210s, L16s, QAs, Scows (A – E), 6M & 12Ms, Dinghies, Optimists, Blue Jays… all the classes that require a crew to sail them and are affordable to the masses….

Ira Perry:
I think more owners should reconsider older, smaller, classic(plastic) race boats instead of the newest latest and greatest. The cost of campaigning a bigger boat is astronomical today. Smaller boats (30′ and under) cost less, maintenance is less, sails are less and less crew to round up weekly. There’s not an easy answer to this question.