The continent is HUGE.... Its tough to get people to travel coast to coast for a North Americans.

The F18's are the newest class on the block to get a true nationals going and get racers from both coasts.

So, creative minds might say... single handed boat with spin..

Hmmm... F16, F17 FX1.. Why not start at the regional level and see if you can get some racing going first.

So, if the F17 is strong in Ohio and Michigan and the F16 is strong in the South East... How about a regatta ... Oh... say Spring Fever... a 3 day event in the middle... Sell it as a championship.... Award beer for the overall score on Portsmouth.. and then Score your one design fleet for the Spring Fever trophies... If the F16's got critical mass with the F17's going… ... I bet you could get the 2 or 3 FX1's out of Sandy Hook, NJ as well....

People like the boat they like…. IMO it is very rare that you convince them to sell theirs and buy yours… better to just go level racing IMO.


Last point. Separate nationals for boats that should race each other also have a down side.

The Tiger Nationals cratered at St Francis YC a few years ago while the F18 nationals were strong that year. This year they have a representative NA’s because there is NO separate builder championship.

In O8, they will try once again to hold Tiger NAs in the North West and a F18 nationals somewhere. I can't see how one regatta doesn't hurt the other. People only have x amount of time and money... Of course they go to the event that's close to home... Moreover, since many of the racers race other platforms... EG Hobie 16's...or Nacra 20s... these events also cut your attendance.

You really need about 30 boats min to make a week long event work financially and with volunteers.

So, To me, the big picture is how do you create “must attend” events that have national participation?

The national schedule of events is an essential first step to this goal… Building Regional championship “must attend” events are the next (Think about the Mad Catter for Hobie 16’s)

The powers that run sailing (MNA) also notice what we do.... this notion of droping cats because we don't have a development program doesn't just come out of the blue.... They notice things like the Tiger's stiffing St Francis Yacht Club. Nationals that aren't really nationals etc etc.

It IS IN OUR BEST INTEREST to get organized and build a coherent program at all levels. One class doing a good job doesn't appear to be enough in this day and age.

So, we do have to manage the continent of events... Stuff JUST happening .... won't serve our interest in the long run.

Mark