With retiring baby boomers seemingly seeking ever greater adventure, it appears that some are turning their back on life on the open road in favour of life on the ocean waves.
While the rising popularity of cruises aboard large vessels has been well documented, there is also a significant number of could-have-been-grey-nomads who are now looking past caravans and motorhomes in favour of buying their own yacht.
These so-called blue nomads are turning up in increasing numbers at boat shows across Australia, and are more and more likely to be coming to a waterway near you.
Paul Taylor from Ensign Ship Brokers told Marine Business that sailing was enjoying a resurgence as a ‘cool sport’, thanks to the high profile of the America’s Cup in San Francisco last year … and he said baby boomers were now starting to realise their cruising ambitions.
“Over the past few years, the market has been quite flat, making prices more competitive and giving people access to newer, larger vessels,” he said. “This is attracting new people to sailing who may never have considered it before.”
For the grey nomad turned blue, sailing delivers both serenity and adventure … and Mr Taylor says there are many good cruising grounds and facilities in Australia as “we are girt by sea after all”.
“From a live-aboard perspective, it’s an economical way to live, whether that’s at a marina or moorings,” he said. “It’s a great lifestyle, you meet lots of interesting people, and you can see the country from the sea.”
And for those who just can’t bear to say goodbye to their caravan or motorhome?
“The grey nomads often do the coast by yacht and then inland by camper,” said Mr Taylor. “There’s the camaraderie, it’s open to everybody at all skill levels and you don’t have to have lots of money.”
Marine Business reports that where once rigging, equipment, sailing terminology and gadgetry were complicated and costly, the next generation of sailing yachts have been designed to simplify the entire experience and dealers offer sailing lessons and guidance for new owners.
In other words, it’s more ‘do-able’ than ever before.
Would you give up life on the open road for life on the ocean waves? Have you sailed around Australia? Is it possible to enjoy the best of both worlds? Comment below.
It is certainly easier to have free anchorage than free camping.
I wonder if the Caravan Park (whingers) Owners will protest that these old salts should have to pay caravan park fees because they are going broke.
Its the Marina’s turn to whinge because we just drop anchor, where ever we are,
And dont use Marina’s,
Same story, My boat is fully self sufficient. I use tanks inside a 2 mile limit,
I like my feet on terra firma so I don’t think this is for me.
We do both with a greater emphasis on sailing whilst we’re fit enough! Basically we love the open air and freedom to get away from it all.
There is another way to grey nomad by yacht. A trailer sailer can provide both a caravan on land and free water view camping. Very occasional use of a caravan park mean can grab a better long shower and do your laundry if needed whilst generally saying goodbye to overcrowded campsites and Funds draining campsite fees. Get that best riverside camping spot, fish from your back verandah, (the rear deck) see places few get to like way up tranquil rivers and shallow bays unavailable to keel boats. They are not as comfortable as a big yacht or a large modern caravan but a large trailable yacht can have standing headroom, a toilet compartment, kitchen area, dinette and several beds and of course that water front deck. Some modern Trailer Sailers have designed ways to deal with some of the problems of earlier yachts. Swim platforms and open transoms make the climb up whilst on Trailer much easier. Water ballast can make towing larger yachts with normal 4×4’s feasible. Inbuilt mast raising systems make rigging up a one person safe job. There are so many beautiful places just up river, on the other side of the lake or just that little bay on that just offshore island. All this with the ability to travel at 100kph between the best places to sail and still get to some spectacular places far from the water. I have even slept at the foot of Uluru in a Yacht much to the amusement of the campers and carravaners. Best wishes everyone.
can I live aboard a trailer sailer on a river / estuary and every once and a while ta sayke her up or down the coast or island hopping I’m in Noosa QLD.
is a 25ft trailer sailer both useful for live aboard and hitting the open sea?
My wife and I went from being Blue Nomads to Grey Nomads. After many years of sailing including a 12 year circumnavigation of the World we sold our yacht and settled into home life. After a couple of years we got restless feet, bought a small van and hit the road. A lap of Australia later, covid lock downs and a health scare we are ready to hit the road again. Life on the road has its challenges as does the ocean but in most cases the comaraderie is the same.
Enjoy what you do which ever life you choose
Hi Terry Where are you guys located? Clare and I are at Wellington East in South Australia and are just commencing touring Aus with our camper towing our large trailable yacht trying to combine the best of both methods of travel.