I suspect sailing as a sport is perceived to be expensive a as whole.. The public sees the budgets for an AC campaign.. They look at an Open 60 Tri season or even the local offshore boat regatta.. Many of these events are associated with high end luxury goods (Rolex or Cartier etc). These makers want/need exclusivity, and will pay to enhance that exclusivity. Don't believe me go through magazines and look at the ads. Watches being advertised by some guy, girl or group sailing on a 45 foot IRC boat. This then "rubs off" on the sport in general..

Then, I doubt if its any less expensive from an off-shore power boat season or polo season.. Heck my girlfriends father just purchased a new but second tier glider for his advancement in that sport. A cool $150K (not including freight or insurance) and its not up to state gliding title performance as the design is now over a decade old..