MauganN20 this tack is not helpful... The adults can dick around with the Hobie edict one more time but its a moot point, and more importantly... not the point in this initiative.
The goal is develop a YOUTH Program to develop elite multihull racers. (hopefully this is not in question)
Fact... most of the junior sailors have access to Hobie 16's.
Fact, ISAF and the world are moving to spin equiped cats and choose the SL16.
Fact... nobody is going to do this job for us.
Fact... one more argument over the size and shape of the table for the peace talks WILL result in failure.
Matt.. we cannot afford another pissing contest over the equipment used. We have too few resources in terms of clubs and adults. Our impact on the larger world of internatonal sailing has been small and if US Sailing has their way... our voice will be irrelevant.
How can we adapt the 29ner program for cats using Hobie 16's and Sl16's and get a program going around the country that actually going that holds together, gets noticed by the Olympic coach, and gets the big yacht clubs to take notice and support us?
I agree 100%. A pissing match will get us nowhere. The days of 100-200 boats regatta all over the country when I started in 1979 will NEVER happen again no matter what we do. WE must do everything we can to get the youth involved or it won't matter what boat we sail, we WILL just all get to old and won't sail any boats. That is why I started my grand daughter sailing with me since she was 6, now 13. Next season I will start with the 7 year old twins. Had the girl out already in 18 knots and she LOVED it. We must band together and put all our (WHO HAS THE BEST BOAT) BS to bed and work together as a group. That is why I now trying to setup the 5 SL-16's coming here for a round robin race and clinic. PLEASE guys, let put egos aside and band together.
Just my 2 cents. Comments welcome.
Doug and Ashleigh Snell
