Wealth ! . . . How Yacht Owners Are Perceived

[Pelagic]

The intent of this thread is to discuss how the world views those of us who have a yacht and if you think this may be changing?

It is not an excuse to rant about present governments because I am sure it will be closed if we get personal or overheated.

But it does recognize that in this global recession, yacht owners are being targeted by some minds as being symbolic of selfish consumption and that we have somehow achieved an accumulation of wealth… at the expense of others.

What preconceived ideas have you come across and do you sense that our cruising goals are facing a growing resentment, regardless of whether you are on the low or high end of being a yacht owner?

[GordMay]

Are, even the poorest of cruisers, comparatively poor? I'm certain that virtually ALL of us belong to the very privileged, and fortunate, western world. Within this priveleged western population, cruisers are not particularly affluent; but, outside of our world, ... oh yea, we're rich.

If the World population consisted of 100 people:

82 would be able to read and write;
18 would not

1 would have a college education
1 would own a computer

75 people would have some supply of food and a place to shelter them from the wind and the rain,
but 25 would not

1 would be dying of starvation
17 would be undernourished
15 would be overweight

83 would have access to safe drinking water
17 people would have no clean, safe water to drink

[Piglet]

I roll like a gangsta rap star homie.....and I don't even own a yacht at the moment...

[hummingway]

The answer has to depend on where you are. I live on a small island and a lot of people have sailboats who don't have much money relative to my nations standards, myself included. In maritime environs boats are more of the norm then the exception. We do see a lot of wealthy cruisers going through but I haven't noticed that people pay them much attention.

When I've been in Mexico I didn't get the sense that most cruisers were viewed as wealthy. They were welcomed for bringing money into the economy but I saw much more display of wealth form that countries own middle class then I did from the cruisers I was around.

[scook1]

Sometimes I find a great difference in the way the word "yacht" is received, and the way the word "boat" is receievd. Yacht has a negative, rich connotation. Boat is fun and friendly.
Spencer

[tager]

I am poorer than dirt. I just like being out on the water, and will do so despite any barrier.

[speciald@ocens.]

A yacht is a boat bigger than mine.

[Charlie]

Pelagic as usual an interesting topic.

Instead of spending $30k on a new car the admiral and I decided to spend $30k on a new to us yacht (boat). It is 10 meters long and needs some work. When I tell people about our decision and the financial hoops that we had to jump through in order to buy this yacht. Like sticking with our current 24 year old Mercedes Benz. Then after committing to buy the boat the front and rear suspension of the Mercedes go out. I didn't have the money to have them rebuilt so I had to rebuild them. To be more correct I had to learn how to rebuild the suspension and then rebuild them. When telling what I thought it was a humorous story I am often faced with a blank stare. People don't like that I own a yacht. Well actually two. I get the feeling that they think I am elitist.

I come from a humble background. My Dad was a teacher and Mom was a housewife. I started my own company with the goal of buying a boat to go cruising.

If I had bought a new car then I don't think I would have got such a reaction.

I can't imagine what one of the people in Gord's example would feel towards me that I spent $30k to buy a boat and they don't have $0.30 to buy rice. I can tell you this much if I hadn't had the goal of buying a boat to go cruising I wouldn't have worked so hard.

[sailorboy1]

I believe even here on CF we would get huge difference of view as to who is weathly.

Some would consider a $100,000 boat as so cheap to not be worth having. While others of course would look at the same as a skies the limit type of boat.

I'm sure those on land would view the same depending on the cost of thier house.

On the other hand, anyone with enough money to have a computer and be on this site; isn't poor!

[capn_billl]

Boats, even "yachts", are cheaper than houses. Most middle class in most countries have a house.

The "catch" is either a form of continuous passive income, or an acumulation of wealth to allow one to live without working for an extended period of time.

We often feel bad because we have most of the worlds wealth, but we also made most of the worlds wealth.

[Kettlewell]

To most people even in the USA you are considered to be wealthy if you own a boat, even if you are of average means. That is one problem the boating industry is always combating--the idea that boating is a frivolous luxury, while other pursuits that cost just as much or more are considered mainstream. Compare RVs to boats for instance. Looking around the town where I live a lot of people have single cars in their driveways that are worth a lot more than my cruising sailboat, and many of them have much greater wealth in their homes, yet if you mention that you have been off cruising for awhile they say something like, "Must be nice," as if they couldn't afford to do so. When they ask me how I can afford to go cruising I tell them truthfully that it is a lot less expensive than staying home. You can live a truly rich lifestyle on the water on an income that would make you very poor on land.

[smurphny]

Boat equipment and materials vendors think we are all rich.

[karenmccraw]

Someone forwarded me this list - lots of good stuff in it. Some of it is a little cheesy....
but pay particular attention to #29. I think it answers your query.


1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Friends & parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie.. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?’
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come...
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

[tropicalescape]

Mine was FREE I dont care what anyone thinks one way or the other..like was mentioned the other day,perseption is not reality!DVC

[redcobra]

I know my neighbors chuckle when I complain about what's happening in the stock market recently. One even said "you don't need to worry I am sure. You could always sell your 40 foot boat (as they roll their eyes)."

Many in my neighborhood perceive me as "moneyed" because i have a 40' sailboat. Same thoughts pop up about neighbors who own Mercedes cars, although it seems a Lexus or Infiniti are alright.