Wow, has the bottom dropped out of the market?

[SloopJonB]

Originally Posted by TomandKarens34

Another issue that will dog the future of sailing is the general lack of competence in maintenance related skills. These are the " throw away " generations. If it's broke, they get a new one. I showed a kid, (20 yr. old ) my engine, told him it was a diesel. He'd never heard of a diesel. I showed him how to change the oil in his car. He shook his head, said " I'm not doin' THAT again !" I'm not showing him again either. Spent 80% of the time texting, while I was showing him what to do. Now there are bright young people who do get involved, just not this one !

They've always been with us and always will. Looking for the soft, easy way through life. If it's any consolation, they generally end up unhappy, unsuccessful and unsatisfied. I always imagined they go out thinking "Is that all there is?"

[peterchech]

Originally Posted by SloopJonB

They've always been with us and always will. Looking for the soft, easy way through life. If it's any consolation, they generally end up unhappy, unsuccessful and unsatisfied. I always imagined they go out thinking "Is that all there is?"

Ever since I took latin in college, and noticed the authors complaining about "kids these days" back in 200 b.c., I have been disgusted by older people who claim that "kids these days" are any different than kids in their generation.

I agree completely sloopjonb. Although, enjoying things like boating rather than spending those hours working overtime or at a second job sounds like the "soft, easy way through life" .

The internet is amazing though. This forum has new members all the time who have never sailed before and have questions about their dreams. Without the internet, unless they have a friend of family member who sails, they would not even know where to start. I was one of them. I began building small wooden sailboats a few years ago, originally because I was too broke to buy one. I was only able to do it at all because forums like this offer enough advice to even let you know where to start. If not for the internet, I probably never would have finished my first boat and I would be one of those guys on the couch watching tv instead of being obsessed with this wonderful hobby. Or I would be one of those guys working weekends and raking in cash... so much for that one lol

[SloopJonB]

Originally Posted by peterchech

Ever since I took latin in college, and noticed the authors complaining about "kids these days" back in 200 b.c., I have been disgusted by older people who claim that "kids these days" are any different than kids in their generation.

I agree completely sloopjonb. Although, enjoying things like boating rather than spending those hours working overtime or at a second job sounds like the "soft, easy way through life" .

I was not referring in any way to "kids these days". On the contrary, as I have said in prior posts, I think kids these days are generally much nicer, smarter and generally better than we were in our day. The widespread surly resentment I recall from my youth is thin on the ground in the youth of today.

I was merely referring to the small proportion of people that have the attitudes detailed in the OP - rather play with their phone than learn something that would add to their self reliance because it's "hard" or "dirty" or some other excuse.