Re: [Cal_Boats] Lowering the bar

Hi, I can comment on attracting people to sailing. Our club - Crescent Sail Yacht Club in Grosse Pointe MI did a few things over the past years to attract members. We always had a junior program for teens, but when they come back from college many did not join. We got a hold of 4-5 FD's (they are cheap and some donated) and started a Adult Learn to Sail program for a nominal fee. We had 25 -30 students for the past three summers. We then created a new membership classification - Crew- that is for entry level sailors without a boat at a reduced dues rate. In the past three years we now have 40 crew members and 250 senior members ( the senior count is the same as past ten years). Many of the Crew came from ALtoS classes and many are hopefull of getting a boat someday. Also, Senior members have enjoyed becoming instructors. What we also offer is for them to pay $100 for the use of one of the FD's on a first come first serve half day basis. That gets them on the lake besides just attempting to crew for other members. Hopefully this info helps. Later, Nick "JADE" Cal 9.2 From: "Rog Jones" <ro… [at] nvsailing.org> Just finished studying the National Marine Manufacturers� Association (NMMA) study on entry into boating. It was very interesting. The report is designed to help the NMMA sell more boats, but it misses the point. They should be truing to help people get into boating, not just sell more boats. Here is some information: The North American boating population, in real terms, is shrinking at the rate of 1.3% each year 30.7% of all people who have never owned a boat are interested in having one �someday� 22% of people are interested in a boat, now, vs. 31% interested in an RV or camper Average first boat was purchased at age 27 and 95% owned a boat before they were 45 The greatest barrier to entry into boating (not just purchase) is the expense (both the cost of purchase and the relative expense of boating prioritized against meeting other financial needs such as college for the kids, bigger house, etc.) The average person says that to justify owning a boat, they would have to use it 15 times a year Only of boat owners 33% buy a first-time boat new and 70% of those who become repeat buyers buy a used boat again Sailboats represent only 17% of boats in America Personally, I think that boating in any flavor is better than anything except sex. But it is easy to see that people can�t get into boating due to cost. How can we overcome the financial barrier? It just seems sad that so many people who would like to try boating are put off by the real or perceived cost. I look forward to your thoughts about this subject. \Rog Cal 29+ #1 Swiss Navy Cal 2-30 #77 St. Lori's Comet YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS Visit your group "Cal_Boats" on the web. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.

These are all great ideas, Nick. I especially like the $100 boat use fee idea. Gets people out and gives them tiller time. I love all aspects of this sport - even wake boarding - though I spend most of my time dumped. When you do manage to stay up, it's a blast. The thing is that programs like yours give people a real chance to experience the best part of boating without having to actually own a boat. This should expand everywhere! You are right about kids - they often don't come back unless you can get them hooked on a skiff like a 29er or a 49er. That changes the dynamics a lot. Thanks so much for your input! \Rog Cal 29+ #1 Swiss Navy Cal 2-30 #77 St. Lori's Comet _____ From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of ng… [at] comcast.net Sent: Tuesday, April 04, 2006 10:01 AM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Lowering the bar Hi, I can comment on attracting people to sailing. Our club - Crescent Sail Yacht Club in Grosse Pointe MI did a few things over the past years to attract members. We always had a junior program for teens, but when they come back from college many did not join. We got a hold of 4-5 FD's (they are cheap and some donated) and started a Adult Learn to Sail program for a nominal fee. We had 25 -30 students for the past three summers. We then created a new membership classification - Crew- that is for entry level sailors without a boat at a reduced dues rate. In the past three years we now have 40 crew members and 250 senior members ( the senior count is the same as past ten years). Many of the Crew came from ALtoS classes and many are hopefull of getting a boat someday. Also, Senior members have enjoyed becoming instructors. What we also offer is for them to pay $100 for the use of one of the FD's on a first come first serve half day basis. That gets them on the lake besides just attempting to crew for other members. Hopefully this info helps. Later, Nick "JADE" Cal 9.2 From: "Rog Jones" <ro… [at] nvsailing.org> Just finished studying the National Marine Manufacturers' Association (NMMA) study on entry into boating. It was very interesting. The report is designed to help the NMMA sell more boats, but it misses the point. They should be truing to help people get into boating, not just sell more boats. Here is some information: The North American boating population, in real terms, is shrinking at the rate of 1.3% each year 30.7% of all people who have never owned a boat are interested in having one "someday" 22% of people are interested in a boat, now, vs. 31% interested in an RV or camper Average first boat was purchased at age 27 and 95% owned a boat before they were 45 The greatest barrier to entry into boating (not just purchase) is the expense (both the cost of purchase and the relative expense of boating prioritized against meeting other financial needs such as college for the kids, bigger house, etc.) The average person says that to justify owning a boat, they would have to use it 15 times a year Only of boat owners 33% buy a first-time boat new and 70% of those who become repeat buyers buy a used boat again Sailboats represent only 17% of boats in America Personally, I think that boating in any flavor is better than anything except sex. But it is easy to see that people can't get into boating due to cost. How can we overcome the financial barrier? It just seems sad that so many people who would like to try boating are put off by the real or perceived cost. I look forward to your thoughts about this subject. \Rog Cal 29+ #1 Swiss Navy Cal 2-30 #77 St. Lori's Comet _____ YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS * Visit your group "Cal_Boats <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Cal_Boats> " on the web. * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com <mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com?subject=Unsubscribe> * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! <http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/> Terms of Service. _____

Rog Jones wrote: > > > > > I love all aspects of this sport - even wake boarding - though I spend > most of my time dumped. When you do manage to stay up, it's a blast. > > > > Good point. I recall spending lots of time turning gasoline into water skiing speed. It's wise not to be too snooty about powerboating. I reserve most of my disdain for the powerboaters who are rude, thoughtless, or unusually stupid. The rest of them are our allies in preserving waterfronts. Chris Campbell