There are lots of really good points here. There seem to be plenty of reasons people don't attend, yet they are basically in favor of it overall. Sort of a Catch-22, but I think it could be overcome if the events were above and beyond in terms of quality and fun.

As for the cost argument, I get exasperated by this. The days of anyone sailing a $500 boat at regattas are long gone, we're all sailing $8000-$16000+ boats and complaining about regatta fees and memberships to the organizations that make it all possible. Go to any monohull event at any YC, and you're looking at $60- $100 entry for a one-person OPTI entry fee. And yes, you have to be a member of the class, and usually, a local organization.

If we don't support the organizations, eventually, they won't be able to afford to exist. Granted, that may be a stretch for USSA, but we shouldn't be abusing the priveledge of asking for multihull events, then snubbing membership requirements.

If this were a learn-to-sail or a training regatta, I can see dropping the costs. But we're talking about a top-level event (or ladder series), so the argument holds absolutely no water IMO.

Of course, "forcing" people to join is not the correct attitude. Yes, membership (for all crew members) should be enforced as a requirement, and I would say, at every regatta level, down to points regattas. However, other that promoting it, no negative discussion should be allowed, particularly by the event hosts. We need to promote membership, especially by occasional crews. Hopefully, when they see the benefits, emails, newsletters, etc. they'll get even more excited about sailing and come around more often. As an added bonus, we'll have more multihull sailors on the roster for USSA.

Like John, I'm confident we can all work together to improve this, just might take a while.

Mike