Is There a Caste System in Sailing?

[zboss]

Even during the shopping experience! I have been told by brokers that they didn't want to bother showing me a 60K boat because they have better things to do on a saturday. In this case, the broker was quite happy to point out that he was planning on showing a 600K boat instead. That's fine... BUT HE WAS THE LISTING BROKER!

Last time I was at the boat show, I wanted to talk to the gentleman about a port-a-boat display he was showing but he was with another customer at the moment (even though it sounded more to be a buddy of his) and I said "I'll come right back", his answer was "not likely!".

The list goes on and on...

[zeehag]

the caste system is more obvious back east, where it originated. wealthy shipping magnates owned boats. regular folk hadnt the time nor financing to so do.
wealth was the be all in yachting for decades. is only recently that boats have been created for the lesser privileged soul.
caste designation---designer of boat, age of boat, what yard constructed boat....
who was first owner....into what family was the owner born ...all meant something until boats didnt cost as much and yacht clubs took in the new era of boaters --now it means nothing more than snob factor at happy hour....

[model 10]

Originally Posted by zeehag

the caste system is more obvious back east, where it originated. wealthy shipping magnates owned boats. regular folk hadnt the time nor financing to so do.
wealth was the be all in yachting for decades. is only recently that boats have been created for the lesser privileged soul.
caste designation---designer of boat, age of boat, what yard constructed boat....
who was first owner....into what family was the owner born ...all meant something until boats didnt cost as much and yacht clubs took in the new era of boaters --now it means nothing more than snob factor at happy hour....

By back east do you mean India?

[boatman61]

In the UK for damn sure....

[zeehag]

back east is where i grew up and learned to sail..in ny upstate and new england. and uk......
india is far east.

[Capt Phil]

Originally Posted by rebel heart

That's what I've seen as well. They put all the rules and contracts in so they can pull the trigger on problem boats, but if you act courteous and respectful they will bend over backwards to help you out.

My experience, completely, rebel heart... We became great pals with the marina manager even though there were some in our little marina who hated him like the plague! He evicted one guy who went out on a mooring and used to sneak in during the dead of night and steal anything that wasn't nailed down or locked up. The Harbor Patrol finally caught him in the act, I recall.
Hope you're enjoying the Mexican waters... cheers, Phil

[model 10]

Originally Posted by zeehag

back east is where i grew up and learned to sail..in ny upstate and new england. and uk......
india is far east.

Well if that is what you believe but I do think we are all somewhere between latrine cleaners and gods.

[zeehag]

guy--i grew up in it--i KNOW about it.....lol and now i laugh at it as it is soooo irrelevant.... but it is part of the history of yachting.

[conachair]

Originally Posted by Allio

I..... in a rugged but well founded Vega 27 all wind torn from a 2500 mile solo transat, barefoot in a hawaiian shirt and a pear of jeans I'd hacked off at the knees.....

Ignoring the corporate big bucks side of things, but if you did that there would be few skippers would wouldn't give a nod of genuine respect as the chain rattled, from multi million yachts to local fishermen. And those who didn't really don't matter and should be ignored.

(My last boat was a Vega )

[Kenomac]

Welcome to capitalism... supply and demand.

If you prefer the alternative.... berth your tub down in Venezuela, let us know how that works out.

[model 10]

Originally Posted by zeehag

guy--i grew up in it--i KNOW about it.....lol and now i laugh at it as it is soooo irrelevant.... but it is part of the history of yachting.

I've tried to be as subtle as possible. The caste system does not come from New England, more like India. It has very little to do with yachting more like an entire social structure from top to bottom.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Guy

The caste system does not come from New England, more like India.

Don't be crazy! Next you'll be telling us they walk around with dots on their heads to show what caste they are!

[boatman61]

The Two Ronnies - 2000 Today - YouTube

[model 10]

Originally Posted by boatman61

The Two Ronnies - 2000 Today - YouTube

British humor is damn funny. "The sun shines out of my trousers".

[Captain Bill]

megayacht......not megayacht. I once made the mistake of going into a megayacht marina in Ft Lauderdale. There was a big sign that said open for business but I couldn't see over the berm and shrubs from my helm which is only 10 feet above the water. When I got around the corner it was obvious that it was not a marina catering to 44 foot boats. The dockmaster was so upset that we were in his marina he threatened to have us arrested for trespassing. Clearly if I had a proper boat it would have been obvious that the smallest boat in the place was probably 100 feet and the bridge 25 or 30 feet off the water. We were obviously not in the proper caste.