I just did a count of the rallies leaving the Norfolk area imminently for the Caribbean. Of the 120 boat listed in the Salty Dawg Rally, only 12 or 10% are less than 40 feet in length. Of the 29 boats in the Caribbean 1500, only 2 or 7% are below 40 feet in length. I'm guessing that (1) the affluent are even more so, as such funds are there for bigger boats to be purchased and (2) given all the system now available to sailors e.g. roller furling, in mast or in boom mains, electric winches, reasonably reliable autopilots, it is easier to handle these boats in general and as such need fewer crew.

Thoughts?