Correct... A census is a start... The powers that be probably have an accurate picture of the large and small boat multihull scene...the rank and file... not so much. But running a very public census and information gathering process will get you some buy in and comprehension from the rank and file when they look at the data as well.

Do I expect a vigorous response... NO... it' just the way of the world. (Ask the OD classes how much feedback, etc they get). BUT if the MHC listen's hard enough, the national agenda they set will get broad support from the rank and file... The USSA Membership tax will be worth the money.

The MHC sits above the level of organization of Catamaran One Design classes. The idea is that if the OD classes can form a consensus around a common agenda on issues larger then a OD classes concerns. Then, we can improve the sport in our niche of the sailing world.

For example, Coastal distance racing on beach cats is such an issue. Organizing authorities are concerned about safety and safety gear requirements. All OD class sailors would benefit if the Official USSA gave a good house keeping seal of approval on a set of regulations that the OA could just reference for this kind of racing. Good News... It's in the works.

Answers to questions like.. Do your events use certified race officers and judges? How many etc etc.
At the local level, you could make a difference in Race Management and Judging to get good events. USSA has taken a good old boy network of retired racers who volunteered as judges and replaced it with serious active sailors who stay current on rules and work to improve the conduct of the sport as judges. The MHC needs to encourage and support the regional MHC of OD classes and DBS and support the host YC's in making sure they use the USSA system to the fullest. Bottom Line... USSA has Eric R's around the country.... They may not race Isotopes or any small cat... but your club can use a guy like Eric to make the game fair, fun and run smoothly. (Cats have an old culture of we don't need this official organizational BS... and/or we will do it our selves.)

Answers to how many events and venues and turnout numbers can be used to coordinate and strengthen the racing. Are we overscheduled? Can your region benefit from some coordination between the One Design Classes and the unorganized DBS? Coordination comes about when you get people in the same room looking for good answers to make great regattas.

In my area... the dinghy one design classes have completely given up on coordinating activity years ago. (Hey... they will just worry about their own class activity with each YC).. One of the outcomes however is that the host YC's are looking at small turnouts and so they cut back on the social and the vicious cycle downwards continues. Now the YC are just dropping their regattas. Miles river YC killed their annual event and Severn Sailing Assn is left with running many weekend regattas (which are now just one day regattas) for 10 boats.... Hardly, a memorable regatta experience.

Perhaps some areas can maximize the fun at the local level by fostering strong well run regattas at the right YC's with multiple OD classes or several PN fleets or whatever works.