Sailing is a cheaper option than motor boating. Photo / Paul Estcourt
More Kiwis are expected to be riding the wind in yachts this summer as rising fuel costs make motor boating an unaffordable activity.
Peter Busfield, executive director of the Marine Industry Association, predicts the hike in petrol prices will have a positive impact on the local sailing industry.
He said that being environmentally friendly and cheap to run, yachts were attractive in the current market.
While fuel costs were not enormous in the total cost of owning and maintaining a boat, wage and salary earners struggling with reduced incomes were affecting the motor boat market.
Sales had struggled over the past three months and were likely to be down 20 per cent this year, he said.
Devonport boat builder Kevin Johnson said the market was expected to swing from motor to wind-powered vessels.
Des Brennan, chief executive of Yachting New Zealand, said recreational sailing was increasing in popularity and there has been steady growth in yacht club membership numbers.
He expects this to grow more this year: "Clearly yachts don't require much fuel, keel boats spend most of the time under wind power."
Owen Braddock, commodore of the Auckland Outboard Boating Club, said he is hearing complaints from members about rising costs.
Taking his 10m boat away for a long weekend used to cost $150 in fuel and now it costs up to $400.
He has seen second-hand boats selling for $40,000 less than they were listed for, but yacht sales had been holding their own.
