Apr 12 2009
Father and Son Sailing Time!
From the outside looking in, skeptical people question the validity of SailTime fractional sailing. I think this is because they don’t understand the dynamics at work. Historically, sailing was a sport for the wealthy elite. With the invention of fiberglass, manufacturers like Hunter were able to create small sailboats that could be afforded by more people. But time continued to march on; with two income households and the pressures of 21st century life, time, for many, has become even more important than money. So, while more people today can afford to buy a boat, those same people have time constrictions that make sailboat ownership impractical.
To fill that void, sailing clubs popped up. These offered a way to rent an old sailboat for a couple hours or even a whole day. But people wanted more. They were looking for the sailing lifestyle, not just an afternoon on the water. Fractional sailing affords this lifestyle. You get all the benefits of sailboat ownership without the hassle and at about a third of the cost. This then all adds up to time for a Father to introduce his passion for sailing to his son and that’s what SailTime is all about. To be sure, there are plenty of ways for a Father and son to bond. By not having all his time and money tied up in a sailboat, this Father is going to be able to do it all!
Chris–great shot of Shep and his son!
When I read this blog a few words really caught my attention and I felt I had to put in my two cents worth: “skeptial people”, “a sport for the wealthy and elete”,and “make sailboat ownership impractable”. If only Sailtime members read this blog, then I am preaching to the choir. If you are not a member, then you might find our experence helpful.
Christine and I have been Sailtime members for over three years now. Usually we sail our 33′ Hunter out of Vintage Marina almost once a week for a few hours and then have dinner in the slip afterward. When we go out, we always pass two sailboats: Restless and Galatea. When you say wealthy and elite, think Galatea. A $4 million ketch that just had a $80k paint job. You could sail Galatea anywhere in the world. But, to take her out for the afternoon like we sail would require a sizeable crew and more than just a few hours. You don’t take Galatea to Ventura for lunch!
Then there is poor Restless. When you think impractable ownership, think Restless. For three years now, we have never seen Restless go out. She is around 30′ and her trim and fiberglass keep degrading as the years pass. The last Santa Ana winds in the fall blew her mainsail out of its cover, and it has been that way ever since. Yet someone is paying for slip fees that are probably what we pay for our monthly Sailtime fee. Our boat is immaculate and the only time we spend on her is to sail!
I can’t understand how someone can be skeptable about Sailtime. If you fall into the wealth and elite category, then Sailtime is probably not for you. You can’t take a Sailtime boat down to Mexico for several months, nor does Sailtime have boats like Galatea. If you are in the impractable ownership class, then you can’t afford to not be a member of Sailtime.
Hi Dwight – I couldnt have said it better myself !
Chris … nice piece on fathers and sons, check out my video on FB about my father and his six sons. I was introduced to sailing by my father in 1964 at the age of 12, his passion became one of mine. Legacies are built this way, when impressionable children have a good role model that shares a passion and enthusiasm for living, whatever it might be. I have done the same with my boys and daughter and they all love sailing as you have seen in my family sailing photos. Shep is doing a great job teaching his son to value our oceans and is leaving a great legacy for our world … Kudos! Shep. Finally, there is no better way for anyone to sail than fractional sailing membership unless you plan to venture far and long. Sailtime provides affordability unparalleled by private ownership … speaking from my own experience.