People's incomes are not going up as fast as boat prices, that is why racing sailboats is on the decline I think. The middle class is being outsourced, so I expect you will see more downward pressure on middle class incomes.

OR, maybe it's that for the $19,000 of an A2 cat you could buy two $8,000 jet ski's, a trailer and have $2,000 gas money left over.

OR, as my son would prefer: two $6,000 Motocross bikes, a trailer and have $6,000 left for gear and spare parts!

OR, four $4,000 four wheelers, a trailer and gear for the whole family to ride.


OR, you could buy an Airplane!
http://www.barnstormers.com/

click on Search, type in "Pietenpol"

Of course all those things are going to cost you more after the purchase, just because they need gas to operate, and more in maintenance, but then you have to buy new sails if you are going to race, right?

There are lots of other things you can do with that kind of money, that the rest of the family could actually participate in, and you can do them even if there is no wind. Except for the airplane, they are quicker to learn, much faster than racing an A cat or Inter 20.

As boat prices continue to climb, I don't think you will see more people sailing, probably less, unless the price of gas goes so high that the motorized sports are just too expensive for the average family of 4, which could happen this summer if we get a couple more hurricanes in the Gulf!