Mary
You wrote "I would like something much slower and more "primitive."...that is what you want...but what do your grandchildern want? they have been watching people surf 60 foot waves, jump 35 feet in the air doing loops with motorcross bikes, riding down the side of a mountains on a bycicle, doing 720's on skateboards and all matter of exteme sports, will that mini Wharram design get them excited enough to want to sail? or will they gravitate to something that looks a lot more like the latest and greatest that the adults are sailing?

Regards,
Bob
doing loops

The views that I express reflect the wants of both my daughter and her children. Just my local market research.

Where would kids see catamarans sailing, anyway, to even know what looks fast and exciting? Probably 95 percent of the kids in this country have never even seen a catamaran -- except for maybe a Wave or a Getaway in commercials on TV for a split second.

"Where would kids see catamarans sailing, anyway, to even know what looks fast and exciting? Probably 95 percent of the kids in this country have never even seen a catamaran -- except for maybe a Wave or a Getaway in commercials on TV for a split second."

All these other sports have been actively courting the youth on TV for years...the catamaran industry is not even on their radar.

You don't need any knowledge about catamarans to tell the difference between a A2 VS wave or the difference between a Blade VS Getaway...besides the obvious difference in appearance...even the name of the rotomolded boats sound like something a grandmother would pick...LOL...no disrespect...LOL

Regards,
Bob

Bob,
I think it is in the eye and mind of the beholder. When I look at a Wharram sailboat, I see character and romance and adventure and pirates and visions of south sea islands.

When I look at a modern A cat, I just see a machine, devoid of personality.

I think young children are more likely to see things the way I do. But I can only speak for the children I know.

I guess the only way to find out is to do a worldwide survey where you give young children pictures of various sailboat styles and ask them which one they like best.

Mary...ask any boy over the age of 4 which he would rather have, a boat called a "Blade" or a boat called a "Getaway" and see which one he picks...even if he doesn't know what either one looks like...LOL

"When (I) look at a modern A cat, (I) just see a machine, devoid of personality.

(I) think young children are more likely to see things the way (I) do. But I can only speak for the children (I) know."

If I didn't know better... I would have to say you were trying to live vicariously thru your grandchildren? ... LOL...

Furthermore, If boats have personalities (which they do) the A2 has to be a "Super Model" in a sea of plan Janes... and the rotomold boats are the ugly betties .

Regards,
Bob

Quote:

---

If I didn't know better... I would have to say you were trying to live vicariously thru your grandchildren?

---

Why would I have to live "vicariously" through anyone? I have been sailing all my life, and still am.

If my grandchildren would rather play golf, I couldn't care less. But thank you for thinking that I care what sports my grandchildren pursue.

"Why would I have to live "vicariously" through anyone? I have been sailing all my life, and still am."

Mary...It wasn't meant to be a serious comment... I was hoping that you would realize my intent by the use of all the smiles and grins...

Regards,
Bob

I don't trust smiles and grins. They are often used to mask what the person truly means or thinks.

In the case of my grandchildren it is totally untrue, though. They are immersed in all the traditional team sports, and I think that's great.

They live only blocks from Lake Erie, but to get a boat down the stairs to the beach would be difficult unless it was very small and light, so my daughter and the children could carry it.

We ARE talking about basically a "toy" boat for kids to play around on and get them interested in sailing when they go to the beach with an onshore wind.

I still don't see any conflict with Wouter's design for the older and more experienced youth sailors.

Quote:

---

Mary...ask any boy over the age of 4 which he would rather have, a boat called a "Blade" or a boat called a "Getaway" and see which one he picks...even if he doesn't know what either one looks like

---

I would think his answer would depend upon whether he was thinking about running away from home at the time.