Okay, I think that brings up the most fundamental point about attendance at regattas. Why, specifically, are you (or more generally, boats not at the pointy end of the standings) made to feel 'unwelcome, not worthy, etc.'?
The quotes above were extracted from another thread and I felt this subject needed its own post.
Jack, please provide more detail into how folks are made to feel unwelcome, I'm assuming this applies more to the open fleet rather than the others. [/quote]
First let me point out that I have demonstrated that folks with my point of view can in fact penetrate the "pointy end" with our inferior platforms.
Secondly, I haven't been treated poorly at any events...more with indifference I would say. Even that doesn't bother me. I'm able to deal with that.
I'm not even complaining, just observing.
It totally baffles me that all these old boats that have to be languishing somewhere, many in excellent condition, do not seem to have owners, new or old, who want to bring them to regattas. My take is that they (owners) feel out of place with the focus on several "modern" classes who can muster a quorum.
In theory, an open class should resolve this, and in fact it often does at some events. However, it is a known quotient that no one really likes handicap races, per se.
I don't know why the F18 and to a lesser degree the F16 class were able to break through the crap into viability and the F20 did not.
I can only go back through the archives for some clues.
I think my "not worthy" feeling comes from a perceived observation that "if it ain't N20, then it don't count and BTW, stay out of our business".
Their day is looming and they are naturally looking for solutions. Top dogs eventually end up on the porch. It is the way of the world.
Why not make a place for old dogs to run in a pack when the time comes? ...and that day ALWAYS does come.
That's my thought without contention implied. Thanks for asking.
