If Florida is truly in a recession, you couldn't tell it from the water. The boats are large and well equipped and the houses are huge. Of course, they may have for sale signs out front but we have seen no shortage of money flowing around. The prices of food seems high too compared to our part of the state.
Venice was another very toney club with valet parking and strict dress code. I was especially impressed with their women's shower room. They had the good taste to choose the exact family of lighting fixtures that our favorite youngest daughter, Martha, chose for our bath!
Along with all the display of wealth on boats, we do see some scurvy dogs out solo sailing. Some more scruvy than others. One guy had a braided beard hair that seemed to go to his knees. He and his boat both looked in need of a good cleaning. I think he must have run away from home and regular hygeine. Others are just out for an adventure. We've seen them all ages and types. We heard about an 83 year old that is out to cross Lake Okeechobee and sail up the coast of Florida. Our friend, Bill Geyer is an experienced solo sailor and a great source of information. We're doing ok keeping it together with two of us but solo is another huge level of difficulty.
It does seem like power is the thing down past Tampa as opposed to sail. I think it is a factor of shallow water and narrow bays. Unless you go in the gulf, you won't get much sailing in around here. Even small boats would have a problem with the thin water. They would be pulling their center/dagger boards all the time.
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