I think there are lots of good thoughts here.

We have to be careful not to think about any class (including open class) as a "feeder" group, and being interested in them only as such. This mentality can have several detrimental effects:

1. This approach does not result in growth, if you're only stealing sailors from within the existing pot. Focus your efforts on bringing new people in, and don't pull so hard from strong classes already at your events (e.g. pulling H16 sailors to F18).

2. If one class is successful at pulling sailors from the other classes, the net sum can be less overall sailors, because you may drop the other classes below the critical mass where it's fun for those remaining in those classes to continue racing. Thus creating more dead boat classes (e.g. pulling TheMightyHobie18 sailors to F18).

3. If you're creating events and inviting classes, you have to work hard to make sure none of them feel like the red-headed stepchild.

[In the examples listed above, I am not singling out F18s as the bad guys, or defending the Hobie classes above all others. Those are just classes that are convenient for the discussion (everyone is familiar with them).]

Someone mentioned PHRF. In most areas, our "serious" beach cat sailors have moved to one-design. Maybe we should take the lead of PHRF events and start calling the remaining open classes the "Cruising" class. Give them the option of different/weird courses (mini distance races, etc.) so they have a good time without feeling trivialized or in the way.

Mike