All good points as well from you all. The fact remains that it takes enormous energy and enthusiasm to bring in new sailors. We as boat dealers provided that in a fairly well networked group around the country that was also supported well by the manufacturers. There are fewer dealers now than then, and fewer leaders who volunteer the time and effort to the sport. Catamaran Sailor has picked up most of the slack that formerly was provided by the Nacra, Hobie, and Prindle manufacturers and that is a great thing, and why I continue to support the organization even though my days of racing cats are essentially over.

I am glad you are all happy with the state of the sport, and that is the important thing.

Mark, it doesn't matter whether you believe my opinion or not, but you can't possibly know the opinions of the many people over the past 20 years who have expressed their reasons for not continuing to participate in area regattas, or why they have sold their boats, or left them to mildew under their houses, or to become backyard sculptures.

A good friend of mine wanted to get back into racing and was told by an area dealer that (paraphrased) "You can't possibly think you can just jump right back in to this. Cat racing now doesn't compare to the old days. It's much more physically demanding, intense, competitive, and challenging."

New or used boat sale lost, return competitor discouraged.