BK, In short, Money... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I would be nice if every community sailing center were also a US Sailing center, and it would be nice if they all had rental programs for members who are "certified" (take a test, get certified, rent a boat) but they don't want to be in that business. And they wonder why the sport is in decline...how is a newbie supposed to get started?

US Sailing would have him join a week long program for say, $300+, and at the end of the program guess what, he still can't rent a boat from US Sailing. Brilliant!