Just out of curiosity, how much is a membership? And how many percent of the average racer's budget is it?
I think it's $60/yr. I'm a member but I've forgotten exactly how much. I usually add some extra $$ for the Multihull Council and Youth Sailing.
As a percentage of racing budget?? Depends on the sailor, and how much they spend on their racing, but it's not a whole lot.
I still think the "Answer" to the Alter Cup issues (money and boats) are to get one or two BIG NAME sponsors, like Budwieser, Red Bull, Jimmy Buffett, etc. and do it RIGHT!
Get 10 (or 20) Brand New boats from a single source, to be raced by class champions (top 2 or 3 from each class) ONLY, no Political Invites, and have it at a large, very spectator friendly, venue, ie. right off the beach at some huge resort with spectators and TV coverage. Sort of like the AC 45 thing in SFO bay.
Yes, that's going to cost a lot of money, but asking a bunch of weekend pogues to pony up, obviously isn't working in terms of turnout.
