You've touched on an interesting question, Tim. What, exactly has led us to believe that this sport is "dying"? I know that NEW boat sales are down, and jetski sales far outstretch cat sales (except in my family. in the past 4 years I've bought 3 cats while my brother has only managed to buy 2 PWC's), but does that really mean that the SPORT is dying? From what I can see, USED boats are changing hands plenty frequently, which is generally a case of someone GROWing out of their old boat either in skill or size for one reason or another.



Fundamentally, I think that the sport is in sailors, not the factories.



yeah, yeah, I know we need someone to make the boats we all love to sail, but personally I wouldn't really shed a tear if push came to shove and some boat company folded. the othes would hopefully learn the lesson and spend more energy "growing the sport" in some of the many ways described on this board.



the manufacturers are hurting? good. let 'em hurt. damned boats are too expensive anyway. while they're busy hurting and figuring out the next way to hurt their competition, I'll be here having a blast sailing (and repairing) my 15 year old boat.



-Haas