Sorry to have kept on the sidelines since I started this thread. I did not like the initial direction and tried to make it go away. It did not but has really gotten foothold. I like the discussion and concern of all participating. Thank you all for that!
Mark:
You are right about my initial intentions of the post. I was disappointed by the decision. I would like to see all catamaran sailing flourish. The truth is that there comes a time…
As of right now, from my perspective, I see three strong classes of catamarans in the US. The A-Cat, Hobie 16, and Formula 18. From these you should be able to pick a pony you would like to compete on. A-Cat for those that like to solo. H16 for the Husband/Wife, Boyfriend/Girlfriend, anyone who would like to sail with their light child. Formula 18 for the mostly Guy/Guy teams (adrenaline junkies). I know there are parts of the country that will embrace other boats, Wave, F16, other Hobies, Nacra I20 for example. Regarding overall racing, I am sorry I could not include any of those in this list. It may not be in the NAHCAs best interest to embrace my list, but it may be in the Yacht Clubs interest to consider it. The boats I mentioned can, in most areas, make a fleet at a regatta. Usually only requires 5 boats. This will increase participation at an event which has some fixed costs associated with it: Mark and committee boats, fuel, marks, lunch for volunteers. It is expensive to run a regatta so the more that show up the better.
The only way a Yacht Club could do it is to have many different classes participate. Do you think that every event has 20 or more of one kind of boat on the line? No. They have invited many types of boats. Each guarantees them at least 5 boats on the line for a start. There are several starts and after the first they usually roll so the sailors on the fast boats are not waiting all day for everyone to finish. I have run regattas. A critical mass is about 25. That is just about the break even for a low key regatta. You will need to have 5 classes if you are only getting 5 boats in each class. Count the number of boats you can get at an all Catamaran regatta in each class in your area and you may see a problem. Include the sailors who have never even thought of a catamaran as an option and you can see it would be easier to get a good number for a regatta.
Catamarans are exciting to watch! Especially, if you are watching them speed around while hanging off the rail of some other type of boat. Since racing cannot be watched very well from the shore how do we promote sailing? By catching other sailors interest enough to get off of those other boats and onto a cat. I know that this does not seem like a fair way to do it but there are sailors and there are non-sailors. We will only get interested parties (sailors) to pay attention to what we have. Imagine what they think when you are racing by them going to the same mark? There may a lot of “rail meat” wondering how they could have their own boat as they watch you slingshot by them.
Numbers make it interesting. If there are 50 boats on the beach and the water it is attention getting. If there are 3 it is just a nice photographic opportunity.
Dan DeLave
