Just been reading this and have a few thoughts on it.
My wife and I both obtained Yachtmastere Offshore and Marine radio licences in the early 1980's and have sailed a lot around northern Europe.
The regs are a lot simpler for boats than aircraft,maybe for the some of following publicly misconceived reasons.
Boats don't fall out of the air.
Boats don't make a lot of noise over inhabited areas.
Boats are not polluters of the Earth.
Private aircraft must belong to very rich bods.
Airfirelds would make good brown field development sites
Private boating and yacht racing has long been a sport of royalty worldwide and engenders support from the authorities.
As mentioned there is the RYA to represent all private boat enthusiasts in the UK,from sailboarders to large private sailing carft and luxurious motorboats.
We don't seem to have the same public support or image as sailing,maybe it is seen as part of our national heritage?
These are just my thoughts ,not provocation!
Lister
