I live in upstate NY and I agree and disagree with some of this discussion. I sympathize with your access problem on the coast but there are lots of lakes between those coasts that don't have that limitation. If I had to pay $1400. (or even considerably less than that) to keep my boat at the water I would probably not own my own boat. I would crew.
<br>Anyhoo, I belong to a racing oriented fleet, we still have lots of social things going and just about any a fleeter will take a new guy or gal out even if they just walk up to us while were rigging, even on our thurs night race!
<br>Despite all this, our fleet was still declining untill recently, I am at a loss as to why it was in decline, but we make an effort with newbies and it showes now.
<br>as to money, I don't know anybody who wouldn't buy a new boat if they could afford it(I can't). but we try to tell new people that an old boat might be a good idea at first anyway,
<br>you won't cry when you scratch it and any-way in c and b fleet (new guys) you don't need a perfect new boat to do well, so you beat the crap out of an old boat and when you realize you can do better but the boat is holding you back, not the nut on the tiller, then you get a new or newer boat! like me!
<br>as to how to increase participation? bring someone sailing who hasen't sailed before, this sport is addicting, if you hook them, they will find away to sail.
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<br>for example, My crew (chong of course) never set foot on a sailboat in his life, I bought my first H16 going on four years ago,(after a 10 year absence) and informed him he was my crew, he agreed to give it a try, the first day it was blowing 20kts and he's never looked back. Check out the websight he has made just about us fleet 204 and our sailing adventures. www.bulletshot.com
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<br>sorry for the ramble
<br>cheech
<br>fleet 204
<br>H16<br><br>