This Changing Life... better..? or worse..??

[AnchorageGuy]

We wrote a blog post back in 2009 on changes we saw on the ICW over a period of almost two decades. The observations still apply today, maybe more so. We have definitely seen big changes and continue to see them. This was published in one of the major boating magazine, I just can't remember which...The Trawler Beach House: Changes On The ICW . Chuck

[Hudson Force]

I think I understand Boatman's lament. In the 1970's, when we started cruising in our early twenties, it seemed that most other cruisers were our age. We were all new, excited and eager to support each other and share our joy. Strangely, now most new cruisers are again our age, but they are comming from another life long ashore. They seem to be entitled with the purchase of their new life and expecting technology to pilot them. There are exceptions and even the new aloof can come around with some time.

[SaltyMonkey]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Which one.. there have been so many...

[mbianka]

I do sometimes choose my anchorages to get away from people. But, I don't get bent out of shape if somebody comes by later and anchors nearby. Unless it looks like we may go bump in the night. I'll also lend a hand if I can. Which has it's benefits. Saw an old couple in Block Island get their prop wrapped around a mooring line. So I jump in with a snorkel mask to try and help. I was not successful as the line was wrapped pretty tight so a diver was called. Another boat came by as I was swimming back to my boat and gave me a bottle of wine for my efforts.

[Adventurebound]

I found boating people to be pretty friendly and eager to help. Launching my boat from a trailer single handed attracts lots of offers from strangers to help. I spent the last 36 years in and out of recreational aviation and that would never happen with strangers.

[Mike OReilly]

I'm not a full-timer (yet), but I do cruise more than 500 nm away from home at times. I can count on one hand the number of dickish cruisers I've run into. The vast majority of people cruising the Great Lakes that I've encountered have been the hearty wave and cockpit party kind of folks. Of course, we don't run into a lot of people in general, especially while cruising Lake Superior, so perhaps that's the difference.

I'm sure those who lament the changing times are correct. I suspect it has more to do with the cultural shift to "ME, ME, ME" than anything specific to cruisers. Fear, wealth, and technological developments have made the typical cruiser more insular and self-sufficient ... until all the fancy doodads break down of course .

[weavis]

Originally Posted by Adventurebound

I found boating people to be pretty friendly and eager to help. Launching my boat from a trailer single handed attracts lots of offers from strangers to help. I spent the last 36 years in and out of recreational aviation and that would never happen with strangers.

Of course not! Pushing aircraft in water is not really a good thing!

[weavis]

Society has changed.
It has to affect every facet of life.
I just take people as they are... love 'em or $%#k 'em.

[captain58sailin]

or *#$k em and feed em fish.

[AnchorageGuy]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

I'm not a full-timer (yet), but I do cruise more than 500 nm away from home at times. I can count on one hand the number of dickish cruisers I've run into. The vast majority of people cruising the Great Lakes that I've encountered have been the hearty wave and cockpit party kind of folks. Of course, we don't run into a lot of people in general, especially while cruising Lake Superior, so perhaps that's the difference.

I'm sure those who lament the changing times are correct. I suspect it has more to do with the cultural shift to "ME, ME, ME" than anything specific to cruisers. Fear, wealth, and technological developments have made the typical cruiser more insular and self-sufficient ... until all the fancy doodads break down of course .

Mike, I'm sure where you cruise has a direct influence on the kinds of boaters you will encounter. Cruising Lake Superior compared to say, South Florida or Miami will result in quite a different experience. Chuck

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by captain58sailin

or *#$k em and feed em fish.

jesus... where's the bread.??

[Hudson Force]

Originally Posted by AnchorageGuy

................ Cruising Lake Superior compared to say, South Florida or Miami will result in quite a different experience. Chuck

I know of those that you speak of in South Florida, but it a large crowd and not short of friendly cruisers too. For some reason the more difficult individuals are not really "cruisers". They spend a few weeks bringing their dock condo to South Florida in the fall along the ICW and then make the return trip in the spring. ....or they store their dock condo on the hard in North Florida and "cruise" on the ICW for a week or two to and from the "Tiki Bar" marina each year.

I must admit that I often use and like the Intracostal Waterway, but even though I am spending more time with family concerns while remaining in Florida this summer, Nancie and I are usually underway ten months of each year. In general, those that I know as cruisers are pretty friendly everywhere.

[MBLittle]

Originally Posted by CaptForce

I think I understand Boatman's lament. In the 1970's, when we started cruising in our early twenties, it seemed that most other cruisers were our age. We were all new, excited and eager to support each other and share our joy. Strangely, now most new cruisers are again our age, but they are comming from another life long ashore. They seem to be entitled with the purchase of their new life and expecting technology to pilot them. There are exceptions and even the new aloof can come around with some time.

From some observations (personally and through blogs) it seems the older crowd is a little hostile or bitter to the younger crowd.

Perhaps it's those second life cruisers you speak of being bent out of shape that a 30something can afford to cruise and they had to wait until retirement.

Perhaps it's the old salts being bent out of shape at newbies who like technology and couldn't possibly be as great as them.

Most likely a combination, but there is animosity against younger cruisers, even from those who have been doing it since their 30s as well.

Sent from my LG-E980 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[sailorboy1]

why would a 30s cruiser want to hang out with a 60s cruiser, isn't one trying to get away from their parents and the other trying to get away from their kids?

[weavis]

Originally Posted by MBLittle

From some observations (personally and through blogs) it seems the older crowd is a little hostile or bitter to the younger crowd.

Perhaps it's those second life cruisers you speak of being bent out of shape that a 30something can afford to cruise and they had to wait until retirement.

Perhaps it's the old salts being bent out of shape at newbies who like technology and couldn't possibly be as great as them.

Most likely a combination, but there is animosity against younger cruisers, even from those who have been doing it since their 30s as well.

Sent from my LG-E980 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

naah.
There is just a lot more tossers in the world now.
Age is not the difference. Lot of older people on here that others of same age do not want to be associated with.
Manners, attitude and politeness have all changed.
Few people observe yachting niceties anymore..... no more observing protocol, just a "me first' attitude.
NOt easy to trust anymore.
Im always wary WHOMEVER I meet. Looking for the shoe to drop......
ITs the way it is. People in my clinic making up diseases to get drugs prescribed.......
lots of whack jobs on the water too now.
ITs not the same. We have to be more careful. Its just trickled into this part of our world too.