Canadian Yachting December 2017 - 4

VANTAGE POINT

Little Boat, Big Boat
- Where Did You Start?
Recently, I shared the opinion with a group of boating industry professionals, that our
industry is ignoring the little stuff; sailing dinghies, rowboats and other simple craft.
I said I think that's a mistake.
I was talking about people doing things like sailing, kite surfing, kayaking, rowing,
using a standup paddle board and engaging in other enjoyable activities on the water.
Those are also relatively simple, safe and affordable ways to get new people into boating. And I asked this group of boating professionals, "Is your business supporting these
entry-level activities?"
For many Canadian Yachting readers, their boat is a "big" boat - let's say one that is
relatively large for their boating area, even if that's 18 or 21 feet. The real point is that
grandchildren will need a Pleasure Craft Operator's Card for almost any boat of that
size, power or sail if it has an auxiliary motor. Boats of that size or larger will be tied up
or are perhaps in a lift and will probably have a cover that has to be removed before
you operate it, and so on.
You don't just push the boat off the beach and row away. But, that's what I did as a
child. And, it seems that I am not alone in my view of boating, that people start young
and they start small.
Others chimed in, saying that they too started with a small boat and progressed
from there. One of the people in the discussion was a boating writer from the U.S. who
said that when his children turned seven, he enrolled them in the local yacht club program then bought them a pair of Optimists with lifejackets, coolers, and other gear.
That got them started in boating and sailing. For their family, many boats later, sailing
is still a major part of their lifestyle.
Another person to join the conversation was Tim Edwards who is now the head of
the Nova Scotia Boatbuilders Association. Tim told me that his four boys all got into
boating through the watery adventures he and his wife took them on in Nova Scotia from an age when they could barely walk. The boats they had were all small but manageable, and the boys learned how to paddle, row, and sail.
Similarly, Tim said his interest and passion for boats came from his parents.
Originally from England, Tim grew up literally "simply messing about in boats" on the
same stretch of the River Thames where Ratty and Mole could be seen sculling about
in Ratty's handsome rowing skiff.
Morten Fogh of Fogh Marine and son of Canada's illustrious competitive sailor,
Hans Fogh, also made an interesting point. As you enter the Toronto International Boat
Show (and most every boat show I have ever been to) the biggest and most expensive
boats are right up front as you come through the door.
I agree that's impressive, but do you think we might get more interest from new
boaters and young boaters if the show had a display of affordable and easily handled
smaller craft to greet visitors at the door? Morten went on to point out that those who
came to see the big, expensive boats will surely find them!
In fact, visitors might spend more time at the show if they were searching for the
fancy stuff instead of hitting it in the first 100 feet.
What ever your big boat is; a keel boat at a yacht club, a big power boat in a boathouse or in a lift at the cottage, wouldn't it be quick, easy and maybe very satisfying,
to have a small boat? Launch it easily, paddle or row in silence early in the morning, or
take the grand kids out for special time together. Many of the Canadian Yachting readers have a big cruiser and I have often heard people say that as much as they love their
big boat, it's the "little" boat they use most. The dinghy takes them to visit shore or
friends, maybe goes fishing, or exploring.
Do you have a little boat? Did you start in a dinghy? I'm interested to know...

December 2017
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Canadian Yachting

DECEMBER 2017

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Canadian Yachting December 2017