How many young people (say 35 or under)out there

[dacap06]

Originally Posted by paulk

"Don't trust anyone over 30." How old does knowing that saying make me?

You have to remember that the saying came about due to a clash in values between the culture of our parents and our counterculture. You need to adjust the saying for the intervening years:

"Don't trust anyone over 75!"

DaCAP

[Valiente]

Originally Posted by zz4gta

I don't make a bunch of money and sailing takes a lot of it, but its worth it to me. Everytime I set sail, I feel like the richest guy on earth.

Well said, and exactly the right attitude, I think. Besides, a 52-inch plasma screen is almost a whole new mainsail....

[soulfinger]

My wife and I are both 31, and we're already on boat #2. We bought a couple-year-old Catalina 350, which was quite an expense, but we realized that it's enough boat that we won't be wanting to trade-up anytime soon. All my friends think we're nuts. The friends that we've invited to go sailing love it, but no one's really "taken the plunge" yet. I've never had anyone ask me where my parents are, but I've certainly seen "that look" that says it.

We just had our firsts child; sailing just got a LOT more complicated.

[SecondWindNC]

29 now and have been sailing all my life. Owned a Pearson 30 with a buddy of mine from '02-'05. Before that I helped fix up a Balboa 20, and that was the first boat I sailed alone. And there's still nothing like getting out on a Hobie Cat and flying a hull.

[riphonda]

Interesting consideration that us young guys and gals are increasingly few and far between in the sailing world...

Sailing has been a way of life in my family and though I took a hiatus to powerboat and try to commercial/charter fish for a bit Im really finally seeing what it means to be free on the wind again. Just turned 27 and bought a 28' sabre that ive been rebuilding. The racing was never my thing though I spent considerable time in optis and lasers etc I just enjoy the leasure time spent on the water. Cruising/ gunkholing is great. Thats what its all about for me, the boat is a place where I gain a better perspective on the world and see life from a simpler side. For some reason I cant get into the gaming, xboxing and the like nor do i get into the you(tube)-twit(ter)-face(book) sites. Is it me or are people more comfortable in these electronic social worlds? Not for me. Id rather be up slicing and dicing apart a bulkhead and dreaming of the wild blue yonder. Located on Cape Cod. Boat is yet to be named.

Good to hear from everyone. Keep this thread goin'.

[Donnie631]

I am will be 30 in about 2 weeks my wife and i just bought our first boat we want to get the kids out (3,4,7,) away from the TV and DS for a while. We are looking foward to being out for the first time in a long time I did some saling while I was overseas in the military and loved it but still have alot to learn will be in MD and VA over the summer.

[Simon123]

I'm 31 and keep an Ensenada 20 on the lake nearest me here in Dallas. I'm definitely the youngest non-racer that I know but there is a surprisingly high number of people my age at any race I've crewed. Crew as well mostly, not as often the boat owners but that's to be expected. I don't care if you never buy a single electronic gadget or case of beer, maintaining a competitive racer in the 40 foot range is a stretch for those of us getting started in our earning power.

[SailorSaturn]

Im still in my 30s, if Ronald Ragan is still president

[MedSailor]

Just celebrated the 9th anniversary of my 21st birthday. On my second boat, been boating and living aboard full time for 8 years. Lovin' it!

MedSailor

[davebkanelavie]

I started cruising full time when I was 34 back in August of 2005. And yeah, it's definitely hard to meet other younger people especially if you get off the beaten path. When I sailed across the South Pacific in 2006-2008 there were two other couples that year in their 30's and two different single handed guys in their 20's. Not to say I don't like hanging out with all the other cruisers because I do, but it's a rare and special treat to hang with people your age. I've had tons of awesome crew and met my wife to be in New Zealand. I'm on my third boat since I began the journey after slowly figuring out what works for how and where I like to sail.
I'd say go now and worry about retirement later.