Is boating in a death spiral?

[Fr J Hackett]

I once saw a motorboat in the Solent called "Thanks Mum", and I used to berth near a yacht called "Gratuity". The latter owned, I think, by an ex-WRNS officer with a sense of humour.

There was a woman in North Staffs that used to drive around in a pink convertible Reg 69 0K iirc she was done for owning / running a brothel.

 

[Poignard]

We are all thankful that you have no offspring that might result in your extending you miserable earthly existence.

Stop pussyfooting around and say what you really think of him.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Stop pussyfooting around and say what you really think of him.

I have enjoyed a prolonged period off the beach it would be a shame to spoil it especially as I don't like sand between my toes.

 

[Poignard]

I have enjoyed a prolonged period off the beach it would be a shame to spoil it especially as I don't like sand between my toes.

There's a worse place for sand to find its way into.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

There's a worse place for sand to find its way into.

You've been talking to Shan again.

 

[Frogmogman]

I used to berth near a yacht called "Gratuity". The latter owned, I think, by an ex-WRNS officer with a sense of humour.

We once encountered some policemen from the Met in Cherbourg who were very kind and helpful to us after a particularly difficult Cervantes Trophy race in the 80s. Their boat (bought with their overtime pay from the miners strike) was called King Arthur in honour of Mr Scargill.

 

[Baggywrinkle]

There was a woman in North Staffs that used to drive around in a pink convertible Reg 69 0K iirc she was done for owning / running a brothel.

She didn't happen to keep a boat in Croatia did she? ....

 

[Egret]

Fill in the RYA Reflections on Water Survey on 'Boating in Decline' - but is it declining or is it just changing? - more paddleboards - would you put in different questions - survey is for anyone, not just RYA members - link on Yachts and Yachting.

 

[Baggywrinkle]

Came across this description in Bristows circa 1970 something .... check out the stats and guess the boat.



... how times have changed. People simply expect more today than they did in the '70s.

 

[Lucky Duck]

Contessa 32

 

[Sea Change]

Contessa 32

Possibly one of the few boats from that era that is worth substantially more today than it was when new.

 

[Mark-1]

Came across this description in Bristows circa 1970 something .... check out the stats and guess the boat.

View attachment 201901

... how times have changed. People simply expect more today than they did in the '70s.

From the LOA and LWL I'm going to guess Nic 32.

 

[Sea Change]

From the LOA and LWL I'm going to guess Nic 32.

Would the Nic 32 have been described as a cruiser racer?

 

[Baggywrinkle]

From the LOA and LWL I'm going to guess Nic 32.

Close, but post #310 got it.

 

[Mark-1]

Would the Nic 32 have been described as a cruiser racer?

An owner once told me that it wasn't designed as such but at the time many people regarded it that way. I have no idea of that's true or not.

Mind you, 6'1 headroom doesn't sound right from my memory.

Anyway, it would be no fun if everyone guessed C32, so I'm sticking with Nic 32.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

... how times have changed. People simply expect more today than they did in the '70s.

How times have changed indeed, £275000 Ex VAT in 2022 (£313947 adjusted for inflation at September 2025), compared to £7800 inflation adjusted 1970 price of £107603 at September 2025

https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/monetary-policy/inflation/inflation-calculator
Pretty Tough: the Contessa 32 at 50 - Yachting World

 

[RunAgroundHard]

British Boatyards: Why is UK Losing it's Maritime Heritage?

We Brits have been losing much of our maritime heritage to the Mediterranean for years. Now our classics like the 3-masted barque Kaskelot, one of the largest wooden ships still in commission, are simply crossing the Channel into more appreciative hands where the boats are cherished not only by their new owners, but by the regional ports they reside in. That’s because they are seen as positive marketing tools. Countries like France also have the skilled workforce and cost-effective facilities to maintain them.

 

[dunedin]

There was a Spirit 46 for sale in Turkey a few years ago that I was sorely tempted by. It had started out called SKI IV (an acronym for Spending the Kids Inheritance 4)


Thankfully I resisted, but I always thought it a great name for a boat.

There was a sizeable new motor yacht in Largs proudly proclaiming the name Sorry Kids!

 

[obmij]

Close, but post #310 got it.

View attachment 201902

That is a really expensive boat.

The average house price in 1970 was around £4.5K. Today it is around £275K

So on that basis it's £500K plus for a fairly basic 31fter.

I don't think inflation calculators work very well with boats, or cars for that matter.

 

[Baggywrinkle]

That is a really expensive boat.

The average house price in 1970 was around £4.5K. Today it is around £275K

So on that basis it's £500K plus for a fairly basic 31fter.

I don't think inflation calculators work very well with boats, or cars for that matter.

My parents bought a semi detached house in Perth, Scotland in 1972 .... for £3,5K .... so it was eye wateringly expensive.

The modern equivalent is probably something like a HR 340 and a '24 model, from stock, is €500K ... get one built, add delivery and commissioning, and it is not far off double the average house price today - difference is you get a lot more boat for your money than in the 70s.

https://www.boot24.com/boot/2024-hallberg--rassy-340-9517528/