Matt Miller wrote
If F18 racing is to be successful in North America, it is up to the NAF18 Class Association and its sailors, not Hobie or Nacra or some other manufacturer. In Europe, they did it. Make it interesting and the manufacturers will come. You guys have to do it together as the NAF18 class. Enlist the HCA and NACRA classes and others to help.

Well said Matt! The real question is how do you do this.

I think everyone has missed the fundamental problem.
If Hobie schedules two national events, EG a Nationals and a Midwinters plus one regional championship and Performance does the same and then the combined class association called the NAF18 schedules another 3 major national events…. All told... you are looking at 6 major events that someone expect s you and your boat to attend! Hell the Olympic guys don't do that much racing in this country! It’s gross over programming. Remember, Tracie pointed out that for most folks have time and money limits.

It seems to me that everyone needs to speak up and announce what they will and won't be able to do and how much they are willing to do and keep their commitments once you all reach a consensus. As Tom noted... If you are the only one traveling and your effort is not reciprocated... Forget about building for the future.... it does get old. IMO, Once peoples expectations are unmet... they are very wary of getting burned again by either running an event or driving great distances to participate in an event. You must avoid this outcome or you are screwed. Over programming regattas is not healthy! This is much easier said then done however. The 18HT fleet struggled to maintain the commitment to their national schedule. The Tornado fleet can't even get that level of organization going.

One suggestion: What if the Tiger and F18 leadership agreed on how many national events and where they would be held and then asks for real commitment from the racers.
One solution is to get all of the F18 racers to commit and vote for the events they plan to support by offering an early pre registration discount for a few weeks based on a sailor choosing to enter all regattas they plan to do on the draft regatta schedule. Commitment would require payment up front with your credit card. You will quickly know what kind of real support a particular event actually has. No more guessing or pleading by the regatta organizer. During this time, some regattas may drop off the schedule if they are not getting an appropriate level of support… you get your money back and a chance to go participate in another event on the now reduced schedule. The regatta management programs (EG the one CRAC now uses) make this very easy to do online and you instantly see who is going to what events and how many people are going. Transparency is a good thing! Regular registration and fees would run for a period after you have finalized your joint schedule since this gives the opportunity for the undecided voter (grin) to get off the fence and pick the events they want to do and pay for them up front. On site registration for any regatta would be allowed but they would pay a stiff premium. (Give the money to charity or a local junior sailing program in their name if you wish). If life takes a turn and you can’t make a regatta that you committed to and paid for. … you would get a partial refund of your money. I believe that once you have paid for the ticket… you make the ball game, no matter how threatening the weather looks.…. How many people fail to show up at the nationals after having paid their entry fee? If the dates are blocked out on your calendar are events that you have paid for… not just ones you would like to go to… …. You will move heaven and earth to make sure you will be able to go racing. IMO, everyone wins!
My two cents worth
Take Care
Mark