Twenty years from now

As for the everyday hacks- it would be nice to think that the Laser will finally sod off, but I doubt it would happen.  It will mature- maybe a rig change, maybe a change in manufacturing conditions opening up the supply base a little.  But it will still be the go-to boat in twenty years for good club racing, and you'd be a fool for buying a new one for your Wednesday night series.  I would like to think I'd get myself a Finn by then, but that's more a metaphorical thinking - I don't need, nor want, a Patek Philippe for my 50th.  

It's hard to say what will happen with double handers- I think they'll all more or less plod along and I don't share Jim's predictions that symmetric kites will go into any smaller niche than any other DH.  If anything I think a new generation of kids will probably enjoy them more as long as they get exposed to them- something I can't see drying up unless the 470 gets canned.  I know that of the DHs I see, and would consider sailing if time were not the issue, it's the 505, Merlin, Fireball, FF15 etc that appeal these days. I no longer look at an 800 and think 'wow'- I haven't done for quite some time.  In fact the only twin string skiff I even think looks fun these days is a 14, but in reality I know I couldn't sail one to a level I would be comfortable with.  As for the 200 and 400 - I think they have some appeal where there's fleet racing and the 200 in particular, will always feature in my top 10 list.       

I think I'm fairly typical for my age and demographic- too much pressure on leisure time that when I finally do get some time to go sailing, I tend to be quite selfish and pragmatic about it.  I wouldn't travel to an event on the East Coast with no wind forecast if I could put a board on the roof and hit the south coast instead.  If there's no wind forecast anywhere, then frankly I would bank the pass for another day.  That said, in twenty years time I hope I'd have more local access to coastal sailing for a good chunk of the year - then I probably wouldn't bother travelling at all.

I don't know where windsurfing will be by then- probably more niche manufacturing.  Although it might just be saved by emerging markets- it's getting quite big with middle-class Asian families and seen as a very healthy and active sport to participate in.  Much as I've never got on well with the equipment, Neil Pryde are a fantastic ambassador for the sport, and you can't help but find the enthusiasm of their next competitor- Starboard - quite appealing now they've clipped the wings off their fanboys.  North is licensed out to a group of Germans- and they keep the investment alive and have a good product range.  I don't see it dying off the way some do that's for sure.