How many cruisers would there be out there?

[Pancake91]

Fellow sailors,

Recently I started to wonder how many sailboats are currently cruising around as we speak (or type). What do you guys reckon by rough estimate? Btw with cruisers I mean:

- Cruising anywhere in the world (on sailboat)
- Travelling around (not returning to a home marina)
- On board for at least three months

If you have any smart ideas/info/data backing your estimate I’d like to hear as well!

Thanks!

[Mike OReilly]

Jimmy Cornell’s number puts it around 8,000:

https://cornellsailing.com/2017/08/j...-the-boats-go/

[Kenomac]

Many fewer than ten years ago, and getting smaller by the day.

[Pancake91]

That was exactly what I was looking for! Thank you Mike.

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

Many fewer than ten years ago, and getting smaller by the day.

You and Jimmy (and I ) agree. Cornell says the number probably peaked in 2010.

Glad to help Pancake91. It’s actually pretty interesting to read this report of Cornell’s.

[Pancake91]

What would be the reason of the decline?

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Pancake91

What would be the reason of the decline?

There have been a few threads that discussed this issue. I forget the names … maybe Ken remembers. Overall, it’s a generational demographic shift. As the Baby Boomers sail off into the sunset there are fewer taking up the lifestyle or hobby.

We like to discuss (argue) about the fundamental reasons why. Some reasons discussed include:

#1. The kids today just aren’t interested in sailing, and hence cruising. They have other interests.

#2. The kids today are poorer, therefore don’t have the financial ability, nor economic stability, to get into big discretionary purchases like cruising boats.

#3. The kids today have different (or fewer) skills which don’t allow them to even consider sailing as an activity.

#4. (related to #2) The entry-level boat is now a lot bigger, and carries a lot more of what older generations would call “luxuries.” This raises the bar to just get in.

#5. Geopolitics making it harder for people to be international vagabonds.

… what else? I’m sure I’m forgetting some.

[billknny]

So much depends on how you define a "cruiser".

Right now we are anchored in Georgetown, Bahamas. There are close to 300 boats anchored here. There is noise, and crowds, drama, and expectations... all things we sailed away to avoid, and why we can't wait to leave. Other people come here because they love it here.

But all that aside, I guess half of that 300 are "real cruisers" just passing through. A quarter have grand plans to sail on, but are likely to not get around to it until hurricane season chases them back to where they came from. The last quarter have anchors that have deep roots into the bottom and treat their boats as winter cottages here. They sail here in the fall and sail home in the late spring. I am not passing value judgements on those various lifestyles, but I wouldn't count that second half as "cruising boats."

Do you count all of them as "cruisers"? If you do, I would guess there are likely 2,000 or 3,000 boats "cruising" just in the Bahamas and the numbers reported above need to be inflated by several multiples.

It all seems highly academic to me. We live on our boat full time and we have no "home port," so I assume by any definition we are "cruisers." Cornell counts "cruisers" because they are his market. Why would anybody else care "how many"?

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

There have been a few threads that discussed this issue. I forget the names … maybe Ken remembers. Overall, it’s a generational demographic shift. As the Baby Boomers sail off into the sunset there are fewer taking up the lifestyle or hobby.

We like to discuss (argue) about the fundamental reasons why. Some reasons discussed include:

#1. The kids today just aren’t interested in sailing, and hence cruising. They have other interests.

#2. The kids today are poorer, therefore don’t have the financial ability, nor economic stability, to get into big discretionary purchases like cruising boats.

#3. The kids today have different (or fewer) skills which don’t allow them to even consider sailing as an activity.

#4. (related to #2) The entry-level boat is now a lot bigger, and carries a lot more of what older generations would call “luxuries.” This raises the bar to just get in.

#5. Geopolitics making it harder for people to be international vagabonds.

… what else? I’m sure I’m forgetting some.

Lack of skills for fixing stuff and no tolerance for dealing with broken stuff/general impatience for the inconveniences which one encounters with a boating lifestyle, seem to be a common factor. Many try the lifestyle, then quit after a very short period of time in frustration. This can be said for people of all ages these days.

You missed this biggie Mike.

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

Lack of skills for fixing stuff and no tolerance for dealing with broken stuff/general impatience for the inconveniences which one encounters with a boating lifestyle, seem to be a common factor. Many try the lifestyle, then quit after a very short period of time in frustration. This can be said for people of all ages these days.

You missed this biggie Mike.

That’s kinda what I was getting at with my #3.

Anyone remember the recent thread where this was discussed at length?

[Exile]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

That’s kinda what I was getting at with my #3.

Anyone remember the recent thread where this was discussed at length?

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ng-212896.html

[Lost Horizons]

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ed-209495.html
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ng-212896.html
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ng-168092.html

[SteveG58]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

That’s kinda what I was getting at with my #3.



Anyone remember the recent thread where this was discussed at length?

Instant gratification is what seems to be desired to day and quite right, there is a decline in tolerance for things going wrong or shall I say grit! Although if you look at the increase in extreme sports there are certainly enough youngsters out there with plenty of it!!

The increase in charter boats also makes it easier to rent and get your fix on a short time basis. Perhaps it’s just a cycle and will see a resurgence in times to come.

Steve

[daletournier]

I have no idea regarding numbers or reasons of decline of numbers (assuming this is true) but recently it's become apparent to me that cruising isn't comfortable.. Lol, maybe this has something to do with it.
For the first time in years I'm in a very nice marina, in the centre of a very nice city (Capetown) surrounded by very nice food etc, I'm very comfortable!! I fully understand people's desire for comfort.

[SteveG58]

Originally Posted by daletournier

I have no idea regarding numbers or reasons of decline of numbers (assuming this is true) but recently it's become apparent to me that cruising isn't comfortable.. Lol, maybe this has something to do with it.
For the first time in years I'm in a very nice marina, in the centre of a very nice city (Capetown) surrounded by very nice food etc, I'm very comfortable!! I fully understand people's desire for comfort.

Lovely place indeed! Just spent the last few days there and a trip up to Langebaan and back!