If you go back and read the original post, it was more a call to strengthen individual classes, not an invitation to bash Hobiedome.
For some other successful examples:
The Hobie 16 CLASS organized and had a trailer built to get boats back and forth to major national events and they used it to get boats to the Nationals on the West Coast.
The Lightning class provides a boat (s) for charter for a year to a new team to get you to their nationals.
The 505 class uses Sailing Anarchy Forum to get their class out. They ( a specific high profile class member) CALLED YOU OUT… if you were not registered… Heck… they TELL YOU to SELL YOUR BOAT to someone who will race it. Or put the pressure on for you to charter it to somebody who will race it.
In My Class, the Regional A Class Fleet Chairman, strongly promoted participation for the nationals to members of the Bristol YC and Lake Hopactong YC as well as to the Florida Gulf port fleets for the Nationals on the Chesapeake Bay. He busted his buns finding sponsors as part of the regatta management team.
Sounds like there is some recognition that some of the Hobie 18 members might step up and address the issue off line. an iniative strongly supported by Bob Merrick Terrific!
On the other hand... it is frequently forgotton to let the rest of the world know what exactly you have decided to do ... or not do. Growing your class involves letting the world know what you are up to.... As the Thistle comment by flatlander noted... the boat is a PIA to sail... BUT... they all racing... So people continue to join the class because that is how they PR themselves to the world.
The 18 Class goals could be very different from the Hobie 16 goals vis a vis NAs. Just an idea... It may make more sense for a class to say... "We are concentrated on both of the coasts. Rather then a North Americans every year... we will host East and West Coast champinoships every year and a North Amercan championship every other year alternating between the coasts.
Setting it out as goal would allow the class members to organize life to support the class effort more vigorously.
As must429 said.... every class situation is different. Communication is key... I would only add... let the rest of the community know what you are up to.
Back to the thread...
What could your class do to support national attendance?
Are you willing to do it?
