What will we be sailing in 50 years

[roger.waite]

Kite sailing, for those that can afford petrochemicals or biosynthetic sails.
Canting keels (for fuddy-duddy traditionalists that still use masts) or catamarans.
Stiff, fast, lightweight hulls ... as big as you can afford ...

Virtual sailing, for those that can buy energy. Virtual (solar) day-sailing for those that can't. Both will offer a richer, synthetic experience than the real thing. Virtual night watches can be done during daylight hours. And of course virtual partners will always be as idyllic as the virtual seas we sail.

Whatever. The future is richer and more varied than most pundits can predict.

[hummingway]

In 50 years petrochemicals may have become to expensive to be considered for nonessentials. Perhaps our boats will be built of processed cellulose?

[imagine2frolic]

50 yrs from now? I'll be 110 yrs old, and happy to sail anything available........i2f

[Doodles]

Originally Posted by imagine2frolic

50 yrs from now? I'll be 110 yrs old, and happy to sail anything available........i2f

Same here ... maybe we could schedule a raft-up somewhere?

[NoAgenda]

In 50 years, I know I'll be sailing gossamer wings, but...... with Kevlar being the new fiberglass replacement, will there be another? Remember the Star Trek with clear aluminum. Would that be an option? But, that was 40 years ago. How about a hull material with permanent growth protection, and perhaps some kind of water repellancy (sp) to make your boat skim like a water bug with reduced friction from water contact. What will happen with the space/speed compromise? I see a hydrogen power plant which burns the water the boat sits in, expelling CO2, or even fresher water as a by product.
Comments?

[Mark Johnson]

In 50 years, like many of us, I won't be here. Boats (the oceans too), will be very different indeed. HOW different is something that humankind is determining right now. My plan is to enjoy cruising and life now, "tread lightly" as much as possible, and in my own small way, at least "try" to be part of the solution, rather than the problem.

M.



State Of The Ocean: 'Shocking' Report Warns Of Mass Extinction From Current Rate Of Marine Distress
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/0..._n_880656.html

[virginia boy]

In 50 years I will be 100. I plan to be sailing until age 120 or so. Just as boat building materials will benefit from exponential increases in scientific development, so shall medicine. 50 years from now ray kurzweils singularity will be well on track and a child born at that time could reasonably expect to live to a few hundred years or more. We are currently witnessing the genesis of immortality. Centenarian sailors will be a dime a dozen 50 years from now. Heck, 30 years from now maybe. Can we make it 30 more years to benefit from these advances?

Turning on Immortality: The Debate Over Telomerase Activation - Life Extension

[stevewrye]

I can't even guess what 50 years will bring in boat design for cruisers. But with so many ocean going cruising boats getting to be over 30 years old and most of the companies long gone I think we will see the next evolution in companies making new cruising boats. What design factors will take the lead in this new boom in the industry may go in a couple of directions. One will be the Northern European, French and Danish designs, Aluminum and newer composites hopefully not as expensive as they are now. The other direction will be the way the Kiwis and some Aussies like to cruise on quick well built light displacement boats between 32 and 40 feet. Done in steel, aluminum and composites and most important affordable.
I bet in not too many years companies like Hallberg Rassy will have all new designs maybe even a design or two that will be well built but a cheaper made cruising boat than they make now because the market will be there. Maybe Hunter, Bavaria will see the need to build a cruising designed boat if they see there is a demand for them. Those companies have the money to change their ways and will if the demand is there. But whatever the designs will be I'm sure we are just entering a new era in cruising boat companies to come. 50 years from now those boats will be on their death beds and creation will start all over again.

[zeehag]

hail in 50 yrs most of us will be sailcruising tombstones and our kids will be wondering what allada fuss was about......boats like my formosa , with their solid hulls will still be around.....
the waterworld movie was a helluva lot better and more enjoyable movie than that horrid dead calm ever thunka being..LOL....

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Doodles

Same here ... maybe we could schedule a raft-up somewhere?

I'm not rafting up with you old buggers. I'll only be 101.

[zeehag]

my ghost will come and keelhaul the lot of ye..LOL--just let me know where is the raft up and we will see some fun!!!!!

[hummingway]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

I'm not rafting up with you old buggers. I'll only be 101.

Come on now ... someone's going to have to change the diapers!

[boasun]

Originally Posted by imagine2frolic

50 yrs from now? I'll be 110 yrs old, and happy to sail anything available........i2f

And I will be a mere 120 years old. Lets party!!

[David_Old_Jersey]

Maybe in 50 years time someone will be posting on CF about how to build a boat using the bones of long dead Members..........

[avb3]

50 Years from now:

• Boat design will be much like now; physics of sailing performance does not change.
• Fiberglass will still be material of choice for hulls/decks. Wood will still be material of choice for interior.
• Sails may be made out of a stronger, lighter weight, UV resistant material for longevity.
• Electrical motorized propulsion will be enabled due to advances in batteries, however, diesel powered backup may well be used.
• Solar panels will increase in efficiency and cost.
• Many male sailors will still bitch that the Admiral does not want to sail with them.

IMHO only