It sounds to me like the real problem here is trying to find a sponsor to pay for the use of 10 brand new boats to use for a "traditional" Alter Cup.

In the past, the boat manufacturers themselves have supplied the boats, but how about going outside that box, to someone like Red Bull Racing, or Coke, or Budwiser, etc. to see if they would be willing to pony up about $20,000 for the charter of 10 new cats and get exclusive advertising rights, magazine coverage, film at 11, etc.? (I'm guessing a charter fee of $2,000 per boat, for 10 new boats, but you get the idea.)

Has anyone at US Sailing tried to contact any of the Big Name sponsors, ala NASCAR, to sponsor the; "US Multihull Racing Championship"? Get ESPN to cover it, etc. Ask Jimmy Buffett to host it, at his new hotel on the beach up there in the panhandle. Do a Margaritaville theme. He can sell all his Land Shark beer, Margaritaville Tequila and a whole bunch of t-shirts too. http://www.margaritavillehotel.com/

Or tie it into the America's Cup or something, ask Larry Ellison of Oracle if he wants in, give him and Spithill a spot too! Or make him the Event Charimen, or something. $20K is pocket change for Larry. They blow that every time they rip a jib or crack a board on an AC 45.

The manufacturers have been more than generous in the past, but maybe it's time to find some 'new money' to sponsor this, if we want to keep it only for the Elite, ie. the National Champions from each class, vs. each other.

OR...tack it on to the end of Tradewinds and only allow the top 3 finishers from each class there to participate...but...we'd still have to find new boats, so...? Gonna need some money to charter them. Still going to have to find a sponsor.