Hi Tami
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<br>I think the major issue is having the stick up and not having to trailer. Sandy Point in Marlyand used to have lots of sailing and windsurfing activity. Use was continually droping and so the park decided jet ski's must share the beach. The park closed the venu for two years to remodel and moved the beach. The day sailors never returned. The jet ski's are still there... sigh!
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<br>On the other hand the growth of catamaran clubs would really hurt the Hobie Points regatta system.
<br>How many of your sailors who have their boats at clubs with the stick up will drop the stick and take the boat to a regatta. The majority of these folks who race in their club series will not be motivated by "the competition" to travel to a points regatta. It takes a major special event to motivate these guys to trailer.
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<br>If I were NAHCA and interested in transforming the cat racing world in an effort to survive. I would try to develop cat sailing clubs where the sticks are up. ... this will get the beginner to a place where they can sail and learn from other sailors.
<br>Dealers must promote these clubs as THE place to put your boat.
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<br>These clubs also need a weekly club racing program supported by the local rock stars. (Everyone likes to compete against this rock star... small victories are very sweet.) This will suit most of the racers in the club.
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<br>Now the controverial part: the major triangle regattas need to be reduced to one or so a month. AND...they need to be events that casual racers want to go to. Wildwood NJ was for years a Huge 100 plus boat regatta, They would generate a huge B and C Hobie 16 fleet that never appeared at another event in the division. The event offered a lot more then cat racing .
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<br>BTW OCRA has and I believe CRAW will be running reduced regatta schedules so that they can generate a critical mass of sailors at a venue.
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<br>This program would cost sailors money but they would recover time. De emphasizing the typical points regatta will cause heartburn. Developing events like Wildwood, Spring Fever, Cat Fight will take a lot of effort. Promising events like St Pete's sail fest have folded. Years ago. Catfests??? were held in Newport and at Sandy Point with 100 boat turnouts. NAHCA's move to consolidate multi class nationals is a great idea for next year. Perfomance is trying to pull the same thing off at Virginia Beach next year. Martha's Vineyard Edgartown Yacht club will try to pull off A class Worlds and Tornado Worlds next year . (God only knows if the Americans will afford the place)
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<br>In summary, leadership must choose between the same old same old program which has left us with stuggling fleets and nothing more then Jeff Alters program of convince all of your friends to sail either a hobie 16 or a hobie tiger. Or develop a new program and develop the consensus.of sailors to make it work.
<br>Quick and easy access to the water seems to be key though in order to get the ball rolling.
<br>Take Care
<br>Mark<br><br>