Tim and others:
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<br>Having lived in Europe I can say with absolute confidence that sailing gets better media coverage there than it ever has or will here. With the exception of Italy there really is no PRO BASKETBALL, no US RULES FOOTBALL, anywhere, No PRO BASEBALL. There is some hockey in Eastern and Northern Europe. Of course there is the all dominating sport of soccer and rugby and cricket are played in a few countries but there is room for sailing.
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<br>It's also VERY*** hard to get a permit to operate a motor vessel of any sort in most of Europe and impossible and frankly rude to even suggest a PWC on an inland lake.
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<br>It's also very political to get water usage in many countries so lake use permits for even sailing can be difficult to obtain if you are not sailing the right kind of boat.
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<br>People still want to get on the water and sailboats are an avenue to do this in Europe.
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<br>Their work schedules are also a little different over there. In the US you are lucky to get a whole week vacation if you are new at a firm and "MAYBE" two weeks after a decade of service at a single firm. In Europe, much of the continent takes of "AUGUST." Yes, the whole month.
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<br>There are certainly cultural differences but the ability to have a catamaran club on the beach with full facilities in Holland all summer where there is no trailering, the water is close and the enthusiasm for sailing is intoxicating when the air temp hits 60'F. (A warm day there in the Spring, late Spring).
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<br>Again, I think it is more about available time and water access than anything else.
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<br>Just my $328.08 worth
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<br>Mark A. Michaelsen ~MM~
<br>SPS Website:
http://www.sailingproshop.com<br>Small Craft Advisories Sailing Centers
<br>1244 Pacific Coast Highway
<br>Seal Beach, Ca 90740
<br>(562) 594-8749 Voice
<br>(562) 594-0208 FAX
<br>(800) 354-7245 Order Line
<br>(714) 238-0925 International Voice Mail/Pager
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<br><br><br>Mark Michaelsen
<br>www.sailingproshop.com
<br>(800) 354-7245
