SailMichigan and Sailing in Michigan

Let's face it. Recreational sailing in the United States has been in a 25 year decline, and Michigan reflects that trend. Not since the mass production of sailboats by Chrysler in the 70's and early 80's have the inland waterways seen the multitudes of families spending the day aboard their dinghies, daysailers, and catamarans. But does this mean that sailing cannot make a come back? I would argue that the stars are aligning (in similar fashion to the 70s) to set the stage for a revival. I feel it is a matter of education, outreach, and access. Sailing is, by its nature, a "green" sport and with the public being hammered with "carbon accountability" and $4.00/gallon gas, sailing may offer guilt-free dividends.

SailMichigan.org (http://www.sailmichigan.org/) is designed to address the education, outreach and access issues to varying degrees. The primary purpose of the website (and its supporting LLC) however, is to address the latter, access. Not all lakes are created equal, and neither are their ramps and communities. Being a small boat sailor who has made some bad sailing choices, I feel that sailing (like everything else in life) only gets one chance to make a good impression. The new sailor who takes his family and boat on an inaugural sail, only to be tripped up by the launch ramp or hammered by PWCs and sandbars, may not get a second chance with his/her spouse and kids. By providing a clearing house of lake information and sailing commentary, we hopefully will increase the likelihood of pleasant memories and continued enjoyment.

The website will continue to expand not only the database but also searchable features and relevant sailing information. This blog is meant to enhance the discussion of the sport of sailing in Michigan as well as relevant sailing news articles and topics. In addition to the blog, the forum feature present on the SailMichigan site can be used for more practical sailing nuts and bolts questions and discussions. Please come back and visit all elements of SailMichigan (website, blog, forum, Facebook and Twitter) often.