For some reason, though, I don't think Todd is prone very much to idle speculation ;-) ;-)

http://www.savingsailing.com/Home/Saving_Sailing.html

[i]Saving Sailing: The Story of Choices, Families, Time Commitments, and How We Can Create a Better Future[/i]

Just came out, and was reviewed quite favorably on Sailing Anarchy (among other places). Looks interesting and thought-provoking. It's all about how we (North American society) choose to allocate our scarce resources (time, money, etc.) to recreational pastimes, and claims to be "A provocative argument and action plan – sure to appeal to sailors everywhere – for the revival of family sailing . . . and quality uses of free time for rewarding intergenerational pastimes, lifelong hobbies, and free-time pursuits."

It seems to be about much more than sailing, per se --and is very much about the rewards vs. the cost of some so-called recreational activities vs. others. Just browsing info about it online has really made me re-appreciate the value of what my dad taught me about small-boat sailing so many years ago, and me realize how old my own kid is getting, and that I should do a better job of introducing her to sailing --not on our 'big' boat, but on a small boat that is her size. Priceless stuff. Not b/c it is 'sailing', but b/c it fosters a mentoring relationship, it's quality time, it's nature time, and it teaches focus and patience, etc.

It's also expensive, since I can't afford a second boat! ;-)