Dear BBC: we need a sailing show like Top Gear

[marvinmartian]

If someone might pass this on to Mr. Clarkson. He does after all go on and on about how GB has shrunk in the world of yacht design, construction, and sailing records.

I bet a show like this would expand the yachting industry too.

[delmarrey]

And also expand the population of boats out on the water. I say nay!

Yacht design and production is a product of demand. The tech has reached a close peak. The construction is financially motivated. Unless they start building more marina's, no thanks!

[marvinmartian]

Originally Posted by delmarrey

And also expand the population of boats out on the water. I say nay!

Yacht design and production is a product of demand. The tech has reached a close peak. The construction is financially motivated. Unless they start building more marina's, no thanks!

Excuse me, sir, but the tech has far from reached its peak and hopefully never will. I mean, what did catamarans (for example) look like 50 years ago?

Think hard on that for a moment please.

I contend the drive for innovation (aka the muse) doesn't limit her grace like that.

It would also encourage a renaissance of design and innovation the likes of which the boating world has never seen (consider the car 100 years ago) as well as new thinking about life on the water (mid-ocean docks, destinations, etc...).

Last I checked, the spirit of the sea and the spirit of freedom were closely related cousins. By freedom here I mean, free access to all, like open software. The likes of which are providing you with an internet ironically allowing the possibility of this conversation.

[MarkJ]

From the TV nation that brough Billards into the lounge room, and not to forget that other classic TV series showing drunk old men trying to throw small darts and the wall of a pub.

Bouy Cam!

"Oh look, this is exciting... He's passing the bitter end about a cleat!"

[Bash]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

"Oh look, this is exciting... He's passing the bitter end about a cleat!"

Just think, Markj, you could syndicate the videos you shot during your recent passage.

[marvinmartian]

I'm not talking reality show, per se although I don't see why the folks on a forum such as this wouldn't be prime candidates for interveiws.

I'm talking more a review of new models, features, tech, etc... Even home made projects.

It might be that this kind of thinking is more popular amongst multi-hull fans.

[boatman61]

I can just see Clarkson and friends jumping jet bikes and ski boats over houseboats... blowing up Thames Barges coz they're old clunkers..

[MarkJ]

Knowing my luck I'd get to report on "The Derilict Bum Boats of the South West" when others get to do "Sea Trials on the Multi Million Dollar Gin Palace!"

Maybe use some of the explosives from the Thames Barges....

[marvinmartian]

Originally Posted by boatman61

I can just see Clarkson and friends jumping jet bikes and ski boats over houseboats... blowing up Thames Barges coz they're old clunkers..

Or a "drag race" between a Sunreef 62 and a Galathea 65. ;-)