This post had me laughing out loud. Very much appreciate your perspective. New boats are their own thing, not something I'm ever likely to engage with! My concern is generally all the support structures around sailing that drive up the cost, even for those of us buying more 'realistic' boats. Launching, maintaining, refitting...yow those costs are nuts these days. It's just a bit sad how it seems like everything is priced for the upper crust. Myself, I got lucky. A local travel lift that mostly deals with lobster boats can launch and retrieve, and I was able to put in my own mooring. If we ever move though, not sure how I'd keep at it with marina fees.
Couldn’t agree more. Beyond new boat prices being sky high, all of the ancillary costs are up too. We also have it lucky with several aspects - storage in my yard, we own the mooring, and three of us own the boat… Appreciate the comment Mark!
As a bit of a reality check, I did a bit of research and found that in the mid 1980s a Sabre 36 new would cost about $100k. This was also close to the price of a new house at that time. We do need to remind ourselves that this is sailing, and it hasn't traditionally been... cheap...
However, I agree with the sentiment of the article that we seemed to have lost the quality, romance, and the elegance in the more affordable new boats. Part of the problem may be that those boats built in the 1980s were so good that they are still with us if they were well maintained. The amount of beautiful boat you can get for under $50k in a used boat is on display at Boat Fools weekly. It has to be so hard to compete with that if you are building boats now--especially sailboats.
Luckily, there are still some stunners being built. I know they aren't cheap, but I just saw the article about Spirit Yatchts (https://spirityachts.com/the-yachts/cruise-yachts/). Maybe these will be the boats that our kids are enjoying more affordably 40 years from now!
Hi Charlie - thanks for the comment! And you bring up an excellent point - sailing has never been cheap. I think, strictly on the finance side, why sailing might feel more expensive today than ever before is a factor of purchasing power. Back in the ‘80s, the cost of a home represented roughly 3.5x income, whereas today, that home represents 5x the median income. I am by no means an economic wiz and this is based on general research, but it seems to jibe (pun intended) with how it “feels” now. Everything is just that much more expensive, from boats, to moorings, to slips, to gear, etc. Ultimately, perhaps, it’s that we have less discretionary income to spend on our hobbies - not to mention time. It’s definitely a conundrum.
While sailing has never been cheap, there is something that feels less practical than it used to--not just monetarily but in terms of access and availability. Boat Fools consistently points out the challenges availability of good moorings, and I can attest to the demands on free time. Some of this comes down to personal choices that we all make, but something else has definitely changed that makes getting out on the water feel harder than it did years ago.
Maybe there is hope that things like boat-share programs etc. could make boating more accessible. I know that a club near me just had a fleet of 8 J-22s donated, so maybe that will provide on opportunity for more folks to get out on the water. I am also going to see what I can do to get some more dinghy sailing going near me.
Terrific reality check on how the industry is pricing itself into irrelevance. The median house comparison puts it in perspective, when a 30-footer costs nearly half a home something fundametal is broken. I've watched boats from the 70s and 80s outlast newer builds partly because they were designed to be maintained not replaced. The Wauquiez train-engineer comment is perfect, all that glass and no actual sightlines. Guess we're all adapting by staying in the used market
Thank you! Appreciate the comment. It's a bit depressing, frankly. "We're all adapting by staying in the used market..." - exactly. We'll keep up the good fight!
Good article. Made me laugh. And also nod, sadly, in agreement. The beauty of things, human spirit, and experience is rapidly vanishing from our world. People want no risk, no discomfort. They tolerate no inconvenience. They expect no work. What kind of life is that? And it is not just limited to sailboats. Virtually every facet of our world has become about as interesting as a happy meal at McDonalds.
Good article, but it does feel as though it's written from a singular point of view instead of from the needs of what other people in other climates with other sailing goals might have. Absolutely agreed that the prices on new boats are insane, and I couldn't imagine purchasing one at those prices. I just hope enough people do that I can grab one used some day :)
FWIW, I do think a lot of beautiful boats are still being produced, they just didn't happen to win this year. Just to name a few: Hallberg Rassy 370/400, Linjett 36/39, X-Yachts Xc 47, Heyman 42 PPH, JBoats J40 & 45, Tartan 365, Sunbeam 32.1, Dehler 38SQ, and as far as catamarans go, I actually like the looks of the Nautitech 40 Open.
I like a lot of classic boats, last summer I spent 30 mins at the dock drooling over a beautifully restored Contessa 32, but would I ever buy one? No, I wouldn't. Form means nothing if it doesn't function how I need it to. I live in a warm climate, and I want easy access to the water, so any boat without a sugar scoop or swim platform is automatically crossed off my list. Unfortunately that eliminates most any boat pre-1990 or so for me.
Lastly, check out Toby Hodges review of that Excess 13 if you haven't already watched it. I've never wanted a cat, and haven't even wanted to sail on one if I'm being honest, but that review changed my tune. He was out in 20+ knots ripping along on that thing, and that looked like legitimate fun to me.
Hi Eric! Thanks for the comment! Yes, totally one-sided...and really a knee-jerk, broad-stroke response to the 2026 European Boat of the Year selections. Frankly, it's probably mostly from a petty place in that none of these would ever be affordable for me, so it's easier to make fun of what you can't have! That said, the prices are absurd and some really are ugly... But, agreed that there are some beauties being produced today, especially from H-R, Tartan, and some others. Some I wish I could afford; others...well, not so much! I'll check out that Toby Hodges review on the Excess 13. Again, thanks for the comment!
This post had me laughing out loud. Very much appreciate your perspective. New boats are their own thing, not something I'm ever likely to engage with! My concern is generally all the support structures around sailing that drive up the cost, even for those of us buying more 'realistic' boats. Launching, maintaining, refitting...yow those costs are nuts these days. It's just a bit sad how it seems like everything is priced for the upper crust. Myself, I got lucky. A local travel lift that mostly deals with lobster boats can launch and retrieve, and I was able to put in my own mooring. If we ever move though, not sure how I'd keep at it with marina fees.
Couldn’t agree more. Beyond new boat prices being sky high, all of the ancillary costs are up too. We also have it lucky with several aspects - storage in my yard, we own the mooring, and three of us own the boat… Appreciate the comment Mark!
Great article and conversation--as always!
As a bit of a reality check, I did a bit of research and found that in the mid 1980s a Sabre 36 new would cost about $100k. This was also close to the price of a new house at that time. We do need to remind ourselves that this is sailing, and it hasn't traditionally been... cheap...
However, I agree with the sentiment of the article that we seemed to have lost the quality, romance, and the elegance in the more affordable new boats. Part of the problem may be that those boats built in the 1980s were so good that they are still with us if they were well maintained. The amount of beautiful boat you can get for under $50k in a used boat is on display at Boat Fools weekly. It has to be so hard to compete with that if you are building boats now--especially sailboats.
Luckily, there are still some stunners being built. I know they aren't cheap, but I just saw the article about Spirit Yatchts (https://spirityachts.com/the-yachts/cruise-yachts/). Maybe these will be the boats that our kids are enjoying more affordably 40 years from now!
Hi Charlie - thanks for the comment! And you bring up an excellent point - sailing has never been cheap. I think, strictly on the finance side, why sailing might feel more expensive today than ever before is a factor of purchasing power. Back in the ‘80s, the cost of a home represented roughly 3.5x income, whereas today, that home represents 5x the median income. I am by no means an economic wiz and this is based on general research, but it seems to jibe (pun intended) with how it “feels” now. Everything is just that much more expensive, from boats, to moorings, to slips, to gear, etc. Ultimately, perhaps, it’s that we have less discretionary income to spend on our hobbies - not to mention time. It’s definitely a conundrum.
Hi Boat Fools Report,
I couldn't agree more.
While sailing has never been cheap, there is something that feels less practical than it used to--not just monetarily but in terms of access and availability. Boat Fools consistently points out the challenges availability of good moorings, and I can attest to the demands on free time. Some of this comes down to personal choices that we all make, but something else has definitely changed that makes getting out on the water feel harder than it did years ago.
Maybe there is hope that things like boat-share programs etc. could make boating more accessible. I know that a club near me just had a fleet of 8 J-22s donated, so maybe that will provide on opportunity for more folks to get out on the water. I am also going to see what I can do to get some more dinghy sailing going near me.
Can't wait for summer. Stay warm!
Fully agree, just bought a 40 year old Sparkman and Stephens (Holiday 36). Beautiful boat, and fast, but it needs a lot of renovation.
Love those S&S designs. Looks like a fast ride! Good luck with your projects, it will all be worth it! Appreciate the comment.
Terrific reality check on how the industry is pricing itself into irrelevance. The median house comparison puts it in perspective, when a 30-footer costs nearly half a home something fundametal is broken. I've watched boats from the 70s and 80s outlast newer builds partly because they were designed to be maintained not replaced. The Wauquiez train-engineer comment is perfect, all that glass and no actual sightlines. Guess we're all adapting by staying in the used market
Thank you! Appreciate the comment. It's a bit depressing, frankly. "We're all adapting by staying in the used market..." - exactly. We'll keep up the good fight!
Good article. Made me laugh. And also nod, sadly, in agreement. The beauty of things, human spirit, and experience is rapidly vanishing from our world. People want no risk, no discomfort. They tolerate no inconvenience. They expect no work. What kind of life is that? And it is not just limited to sailboats. Virtually every facet of our world has become about as interesting as a happy meal at McDonalds.
Thanks for the comment, Dave. Yep, agree. As we say, Ease is the new disease…
Good article, but it does feel as though it's written from a singular point of view instead of from the needs of what other people in other climates with other sailing goals might have. Absolutely agreed that the prices on new boats are insane, and I couldn't imagine purchasing one at those prices. I just hope enough people do that I can grab one used some day :)
FWIW, I do think a lot of beautiful boats are still being produced, they just didn't happen to win this year. Just to name a few: Hallberg Rassy 370/400, Linjett 36/39, X-Yachts Xc 47, Heyman 42 PPH, JBoats J40 & 45, Tartan 365, Sunbeam 32.1, Dehler 38SQ, and as far as catamarans go, I actually like the looks of the Nautitech 40 Open.
I like a lot of classic boats, last summer I spent 30 mins at the dock drooling over a beautifully restored Contessa 32, but would I ever buy one? No, I wouldn't. Form means nothing if it doesn't function how I need it to. I live in a warm climate, and I want easy access to the water, so any boat without a sugar scoop or swim platform is automatically crossed off my list. Unfortunately that eliminates most any boat pre-1990 or so for me.
Lastly, check out Toby Hodges review of that Excess 13 if you haven't already watched it. I've never wanted a cat, and haven't even wanted to sail on one if I'm being honest, but that review changed my tune. He was out in 20+ knots ripping along on that thing, and that looked like legitimate fun to me.
Hi Eric! Thanks for the comment! Yes, totally one-sided...and really a knee-jerk, broad-stroke response to the 2026 European Boat of the Year selections. Frankly, it's probably mostly from a petty place in that none of these would ever be affordable for me, so it's easier to make fun of what you can't have! That said, the prices are absurd and some really are ugly... But, agreed that there are some beauties being produced today, especially from H-R, Tartan, and some others. Some I wish I could afford; others...well, not so much! I'll check out that Toby Hodges review on the Excess 13. Again, thanks for the comment!
Excellent article! I haven’t laughed so hard in years. Now if someone will buy Catalina…
Glad we could add a laugh to your day! Thanks for the comment!