Inside Sail America’s Plan to Grow the Sport and the Industry

New sailboat sales have been in slow decline in the U.S. for more than a decade, but Sail America’s president is optimistic that used boats, small boats and services can help to grow and sustain a healthy industry.

By
Doug Henschen
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Sail America president, Adam Cove, soloing aboard “Team Wicked Wily Wildcat,” an 18-ft. Marshall Sanderling, during the 2024 R2AK (Race to Alaska). The race only permits sail or human power, so Cove fitted a foot brace, seen below the tiller, to ease rowing as needed. Cove was the first soloist to cross the finish line. (Photo/ Adam Cove)

Sail America’s mission is to “promote the health and growth of sailing.” Thus, you’d think alarm bells would be going off there given that the trade group’s most recent annual “Economic Outlook Report” included some rather grim data.

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Doug Henschen
Doug Henschen has been sailing in and around the waters of the lower Hudson River, New York Harbor, and the Long Island Sound since the 1980s. A career editor and journalist, Doug served as associate editor and managing editor of The Waterway Guide from 1984 until 1987 and as executive editor of Boating Industry magazine from 1990 to 1996. Doug is a member of Sail America and is American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) certified on Marine Systems, Marine Electrical, Corrosion Mitigation, Disaster Avoidance, Outboard Repowering Considerations, and Boatyard Basics.

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