Could we about to enter a bold new era where the ‘grey’nomad is being forced off the road and re-emerging as ‘blue’ nomad ready to take to Australia’s oceans and waterways.
Certainly there are those in the sailing/cruising fraternity who would have us believe so.
Peter Nicholson, a broker at Ensign, the largest independent boat brokerage in Australia, says it’s a very exciting time in the ‘pre-loved’ boat market … and it’s the mature traveller who is helping to drive things.
“The grey nomad segment is cashed up … they’ve done the campervan trip and now they’re ready for the next challenge, sailing,” he told Sail World online magazine. “We have seen a lot of interest in first time yachting, particularly sail. People entering the market for the first time are attracted to the lifestyle, and looking for a large cruising boat to live aboard, both new and old.
According to Peter, this frequently overlooked older market is an interesting evolving market in power and sail.
He says that is it currently a buyer’s market and people can expect to pay 5-10% beneath the asking price.
Tempted anyobody?
We love sailing, but a lot of people don’t realise the cost of maintaining a boat whether it be a yacht or a power boat. In the sailing fraternity boat stands for Bring Out Another Thousand. I worked on boats for 3 years before I retired and the amount of money required to keep your boat floating…well all I can say is you better have a tidy sum stashed away.
Or you can do what we do and keep the caravan and take an occasional cruise or sometimes hire a boat. A lot cheaper for us, and we can still enjoy the big blue.