Pete:

I went through this same challenge with both Ventura County and the Ventura Port district with the exact same argument.

But, the folks I was talking at least knew what a beachcat was!

One area was called Hobie Beach, and for a for a reason. It is even recognized as this on a map! It was where we use to launch from back in the day. Any given weekend there were about 20 boats there and it was heaven, nice beach, taco stand, small grocery store, fire pit, the whole enchilada. People would come from miles away to sail there!!! It was closed after the storms in 99/00 due to erosion when they put a bunch of boulders there after they dredged the harbor.

We got that re-opened by talking to the county supervisors, local harbor people etc... with them putting a ramp to the water from the staging area. After the grand reopening, it never got used except by a few local sailors an a scattered basis. There is an article about this on Damon's site. They were not into doing anymore improvements due to the lack of use, remember improvements cost money!!!! The ramp is still there, and is being used by the kayakers and a few Laser guys, but not much else.

What is the saying; 'use it or lose it!"

Second up was Ventura Port District. They we willing to do something after we articulated to them problem with bringing a sailboat, let alone a beach cat back to the dock - a screaming beam reach. I have heard many a cat sailor say, "love to go sailing in your area, but the launch ramp is a bear to deal with." It is not hard to do with some practice, but.....

They have a lot with beach access at the mouth of the Harbor they were willing to open up for beach cats - they already have an outrigger canoe club there. We have staged a few races there as well as this is the site for the Blue Water Regatta coming up later this month. With this they were looking to do a yearly/daily use fee like Santa Barbara. Remember these things cost money and their issue is insurance.

The Harbor district had mentioned they would be willing to dedicate an area for seasonal beach cat storage, as well as daily pass weekend access. They needed $1150 to cover the insurance nut which meant five yearly passes $230. Anything above that would go for improvement. We had someone willing to do something and many cat sailor pissed and moaned about have to spend the money for a year sticker, and these are the same ones that complained about how there is no beach access to beachcats!!!!!!!!

In place of trying to explain what a catamaran is start talking about revenue for them and the local business from the influx on the boaters. Your biggest fight is probably going to be insurance and policing the area - think personal injury lawyer! If you can show them how they can make money to offset any of their cost you're just about done. But remember, once they spend the money the will be watching it!!

Also, if you are affiliated with a Yacht Club, see if they want to get involved. With membership declining these days, they are certainly looking for ways to boost the ranks. Maybe have a Bla Bla Yacht Club Annex and piggyback on their insurance!!!! And there is persuasion in numbers.

Good luck, and shoot me a PM, I'll dig around for the proposal we submitted to the Ventura Port District if that will help.

John