One design class sailors also pay dues when their class has a significant vote on the table and they want their vote counted. I've heard guys (that dont even own a Tornado) say they only pay their Tornado class dues because they wanted to vote on certain issues, they didnt have a shot at a larger stage.

International Canoe class just had a vote on a rather radical shift away from their design rules, I would bet, that they saw a big increase in paid dues from people that were interested in having their vote counted.

If US Sailing had said "Hey we are going to have a vote on mandatory membership and only paid members can vote," I bet you would have seen a dramatic increase in the membership, with much less of the outcry about the issue. They would have increased their membership and let the association decide the issue for themselves. US Sailing would have gotten what they wanted (more members, more cash) and the membership could have felt included and "serviced" by the association. Everyone would have won. Caron screwed the pooch on this one.

By the way, my position on the national class is that I pay my dues so I can vote and race and have my sail number assigned on my new boat(another good reason to pay.)

Bill