Hi Flounder. Is that your real name? I belong to Hobie Fleet 192 that sails at Branched Oak Lake near Lincoln, NE. I raced at our Bent Mast Regatta this June 7th and 8th. We had many boats of all sizes and manufacturers.
The weather was rainy, cold, and windy. Only the the serious racers went out the first day and they had a blast. I find that people new to our sport are not turned off by racing if they are mentored and encouraged. Our fleet does a great job of this. I own 2 Nacras, at 5.2 and a 5.5, which I sail as unirigs. I have also helped to build a Nacra 5.2 fleet in this club and in another. I have belonged to the fleet since 1996. I have not sailed a Hobie Cat since joining the fleet, and do not have anything against them, I just like Nacras. I have always been welcomed to race and socialize with fleet 192.

If there is any problem with our fleet, in my opinion, it is with those former members that bought other brand boats and bad-mouthed Hobies. These sailors have all the answers but do not join, compete, or do anything positive for our fleet. This is a good part of why we have seen a decline in our fleet. Also our lake water level is at a 30 year low, making access difficult.

If you want to start your own regatta, feel free. It makes more sense to me to participate in ones that are already going and helping to make them better. Why don't you join us and participate? Mark Scherer