I do not get it.
<br>US is one of the biggest country in the world and you are all complaining about space!! I think this is a matter of managing the shore. In France granted public access to the sea is a rule, more than that, a way of life. You can launch everywhere without paying any fee.
<br>This is a first point.
<br>Then, when we talk about sailing clubs in France, we are talking about fleets of 200 cats or more (i.e Yacht clubs of Carnac, Hyeres, La grande Motte ...). And look of the number of international events occuring there.
<br>The big difference is that the cities are smart enough to understand that these clubs are big assets: they drain customers and make a lot for the reputation of the town. If I compare to my place (Atlantic Highlands, 40 mn from NY by ferry), members of the city council do not even know that we exist, they just take the money we pay for the beach concession, that's it (and we are just happy to have it renewed). We have 120 boats on the beach, people are coming from all over around NY, Pennsylvania, Connecticut to sail on the season week ends and THERE IS NOT EVEN AN HOTEL IN TOWN TO ACCOMODE THEM, they have to camp on the beach or go to a nasty hotel on the 36 highway.
<br>I am trying at my level to make them understand that (my neighbours are in the city council), bringing their kids sailing with me sometimes, talking with them, but I am afraid that this is not enough.
<br>Honestly there is something I do not understand, everybody is talking money, costs, but sometimes it looks to me that this is just a question of good sense.
<br>Promoting sailing in front of NY with a perfect place to sail looks like a good plan to me.
<br>If somebody knows the place and have some thoughts he will be welcome to tell me what is wrong.<br><br>