Is sailing dying out?

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Leafing through the latest mobo rags, I was struck by just how many sailboat builders are making motor boats these days - Bavaria, Beneteau, Jeanneau, Oyster for example - and even the dealer who sells Folkboats is planning to sell mobos as well; his traditional customers must be choking on their hairshirts about that one. How many mobo builders have recently started making sailboats? A big zero on that one methinks. Then, the mobo rags regularly feature articles on ex yotties who've seen the light and got themselves a proper boat. Anyone know anyone whose gone the other way?
I remember London Boat Shows many years ago when mobos were apologetically shunted off into one corner so as not to get in the way of the massed ranks of sailboats. Now, the situation is reversed. Excel and SIBS this year seemed to have far more mobos than sailboats
Its 100yrs since the automobile displaced the horse and cart. Are we finally seeing the same thing happening in boating?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[ontheplane]

I have sometimes wondered if I had the money whether I would go huge mobo, or have a huge sailboat, with a big rib or jetski on the back for watersports...?? I don't know!

<hr width=100% size=1>Why can't we work 2 days a week and boat the other 5????

 

[BarryH]

Dunno how many mobo makers have started producing sail boats. But didn't Seamaster venture into that territory a good few years ago?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Dave_Snelson]

Maybe its the sign of the times? There are definately more converts to Mobo than the other way round. A long time sailing committee member of our club is putting his substantial yacht on the market and planning on buying a Mobo. The reason he states is that "he doesn't have time in his life to sail" and also "he spends 90% of his time with the motor on". He has come to his own conclusion that he enjoys being on the water and that a Mobo would be more appropriate.

It all happened when I took him and his wife for a trip last Feb, in lovely winter sunshine with a flat calm sea. His wife sat in the navigators chair with a permanent grin...it was all down hill for rag & stick thereafter!

<hr width=100% size=1>Madoc Yacht Club
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk>http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk</A>

 

[Bejasus]

yes indeed. See <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.seamasterclub.co.uk/>here</A>

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[ChrisE]

I think you'll find that it is more like a sign of old age. Plenty of my raggie friends have gone over to the dark side once their physical fitness started to fall off as they increased in years.

It might also have something to do with the churn of boats, I surveyor was telling me that raggies typically keep theirs for around seven years, whereas stinkies it is about 18 months. Must be when the ashtrays are full.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[BarryH]

Out of intrest.....if you intrested.....If that seamaster 30 on the front page is the one I think it is. I did a load of work on that. Lovely old boat, very roomy. It was based at the Middle Thames Yacht club a few years ago.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Talbot]

Fairey made a raggie (the atlanta) , but is the only example I can think.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Bejasus]

Probably selling mine in the spring and contrary to this post, I am looking at a sailyboat type thing.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[BarryH]

Didn't Fairy do a sailing dinghy too......so that makes 2....or one and a half.

.......h00......sailing won't suit you. You talk freely to too many people have a friendly disposition and I bet you can't resist the urge to "nod and wave" at other passing stinkies......you'll be outta your depth! Oh and I'm not pulling you of any mud banks.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Bejasus]

'You talk freely'

Funnily enough...........................

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[longjohnsilver]

Getting bored now are you Mike just lazing around in the sun admiring the naked totty or are you back in the land of the almost living "enjoying" proper weather!



<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Dave_Snelson]

18 months will be when the supply of Gin runs out! Seriously though, when I say a sign of the times, I mean it as a sad endictment of the way we live today. Rush, rush, rush! I certainly would not like to see sailing "dying out" (it never will anyway). Its all a matter of horses for courses. If I ever wanted to do blue watwer stuff, it would be in a yacht, for obvious reasons.

<hr width=100% size=1>Madoc Yacht Club
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk>http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk</A>

 

[Talbot]

AFAIK, they actually made 4 different sailing craft from a 20ft up to 31ft boat, (all cruisers) and I think there was a special tender made to fit the atalanta that may also have been a sailing boat.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[ChrisE]

Dave,

Funnily enough, I was going to reflect on the faster pace of life but thought that I might start sounding more mildrew-ish than I do already.

Once was invited to a stinkie with at least six filing cabinets, yes, filing cabinets, in the saloon. Each one was filled with booze. That's what I call style. Mine you on Rival Spirit we usually have at least half a dozen cases of wine on board.

Chris

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[bob_tyler]

A bit more than that, Talbot.

How about Albacore, Duckling, Falcon, Firefly, Fox, and Jollyboat. All beautifully moulded by Fairey Marine. All under 20ft.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[tcm]

Re: rival Spirit

aha, i wonder if this is the origin of the name of your vessel hm?. Anyway, if it is, i bet i have got 6 cases of wine on board as well! And some gin and whiskey, probably. Aklthough not in filing cabinets. Was it all filed in alphanumeric sequuence, with index cards cross-referenced according to grape variety?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[ChrisE]

Re: rival Spirit

Nah, just read, white, pink and fizz. On your flattop I thought that you would measure booze storage by the barrel.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[mickshep]

Fairey built a number of dinghies, for example, Duckling, Firefly, Albacore, Swordfish as well as the larger cruising Atlanta. (there could be a few more but I can't recall). Mike.

<hr width=100% size=1>My Mum say's I'm not a fat b@st@rd, just heavy boned.

 

[PhilF]

with global warming, more like drying out,
I think sailers sail more than we MOBO, and when the price of you know what increases perhaps the trend towards MOBO will change

<hr width=100% size=1>