When they broke out the Open Bic at Gulfport Yacht Club, during our annual Gulf Yachting Association meeting Randy Smyth was on hand with his son, Matthew. The January day was greeted by a fresh cold front with several OBs in the yacht club pool. Randy became a kid again, and now Matthew races his OB in the Portsmouth division out of Fort Walton Yacht Club. In a couple years he might even sail on their high school sailing team in 420s.

Coaches and yacht clubs still prefer the Opti along our coast. The USODA is another example of a culture that has earned its keep and its stay.

Sorry about your certification experience. I know a few multihull sailors from your islands, and I met Gil Budar (SIC) at a US Sailing meeting. I was proud to have the commodore of the Hawaii Yacht Racing Association at our Multihull Council meeting.

The last time I saw him was in 2010. I got a chair for him to sit in his because of his leg injury. The two us sat in the back between aisles with Darline Hobock for Jobson's acceptance speech. JW and I had dinner with Darline later that evening. That was Darline's final USSA assembly.

I understand the catamaran sailing is limited to beach clubs and Hobie Fleets with minmimal outside sponsorship. If you own a tri it is best to be based out of Kaneohe or Waikiki YCs.