Why did he think he would be sailing every weekend...?
Marc was 47 when he signed.
A good job, a stable situation, children growing up. For years, he had been telling himself that it was now or never. Now that he had the time. Now that he could afford it. Now that he really wanted to enjoy it.
He had imagined the boat a thousand times. Early morning departures, coffee still warm in his hand. Impromptu weekends, the sea as an escape. The feeling of freedom, finally real.
When he got the keys back, he sincerely said to himself:
"This time, I'm going to sail often."
He had no reason to think otherwise.
The dream: to buy a boat so I can sail more often
Marc wasn't buying a boat to own an object. He was buying it to experience moments.
In his mind, everything was clear: a boat ready to sail, trips whenever the weather allowed, family memories, friends on board. He had heard about maintenance, costs, logistics. But that seemed secondary to him.
"When you love someone, you don't count the cost."
Like many, Marc associated property with freedom.
The first outings... then reality
The first few weeks were exciting. Marc went out whenever he could. Then, without realizing it, the pace changed.
Before each outing, he had to check the boat, plan for fuel, organize the day, and think about the return trip. None of these things were complicated on their own. But it was never as simple as he had imagined.
One trip was postponed due to the weather. Another because the timing wasn't ideal. Little by little, going out to sea required more mental energy than expected.
Expenses he hadn't anticipated
The first breakdown came without warning. A small repair. Then other costs: maintenance, shipping, insurance, unexpected parts.
The problem wasn't just the cost. It was the regularity. The feeling that the boat always needed something.
And with the bills came a silent pressure:
"I'd have to go out more for it to be worth it."
When pleasure becomes a constraint
This is where many homeowners recognize themselves.
Marc still wanted to sail. But he was less and less interested in everything that had to be managed around it. Every weekend without a trip out brought a vague feeling of guilt.
Sailing was no longer just a pleasure. It had become a necessity in order to get the most out of his purchase.
This shift is rarely acknowledged, but it is very common.
Why so many boats rarely leave port
While chatting with other boaters, Marc realized he wasn't alone. Many were sailing less than they had imagined.
It wasn't a lack of passion. It was a problem of actual usage.
Owners don't buy a boat to deal with maintenance, unexpected events, and organization. They buy a boat to go out to sea.
The real problem: confusion between possession and freedom
Looking back, Marc understood. His goal wasn't to own a boat. His goal was to sail more often.
Ownership gives a sense of control, but it also brings mental stress. The more constraints there are, the less spontaneous outings become.
Sailing more often does not always depend on ownership, but on ease of access.
Sailing more often in 2026: a change of model
In 2026, more and more boaters are asking themselves the same question: how can we sail without unnecessary constraints?
True luxury is no longer owning your own boat, but being able to set sail easily, without complicated planning, unexpected technical issues, or binding commitments.
It is this thinking that drives many enthusiasts to seek alternatives focused on usage rather than ownership.
What Marc would have liked to understand sooner
Marc does not regret his love of the sea. He only regrets having believed that ownership was the only way to enjoy it.
Sailing more often does not mean owning more. It means removing the friction that prevents you from going out.
In 2026, boating is evolving toward more flexible, simpler models designed for real use rather than accumulating constraints.
What really prevents you from sailing more often?
The question deserves to be asked honestly.
Is it a lack of desire? Or is it everything else that needs to be managed?
Sailing should remain a pleasure, not a mental burden. The real luxury today is being able to cast off whenever you feel like it.
Ask yourself this question honestly: what is stopping you from going out to sea more often today? What if sailing became as easy as you had imagined?
Liberty Pass
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