Jake,

I don't disagree with you in that something can be done on a local level to promote sailing, however I don't think it would be enough to really grow the sport much. I don't know how gloriously rich the Hobie Cat company was when they got into merchandising clothing etc. Back in the 80's you could be a 1000 miles from a water hole but it was cool as hell to wear Hobie clothing. Everybody knew what a Hobie was, and it was "cool" to be associated with that name. Today the only people that wear Hobie clothing are the Hobie sailors, and someone whose old aunt may have given them a Hobie shirt (which they'll probably exchange). It takes creative thinking to create a cult like following of a product, and that is what is needed.

I don't agree in that Catsailors are part of any "Secret society" as you put it. A secret society would try to exclude others from coming in thereby making it more desirable. The sport of catamaran sailing is screaming to try to get more attention, but nobody is really listening or interested. Sure you may be able to convince a couple of people of what it's "really like" by dragging them down and taking them out for a sail. But you can't do that on a mass scale and it won't really affect much (on a big scale, of course).

If I were the owner of one of these companies I would focus on creating a huge amount of buzz around the brand (I would choose Performance if I could, since I think it would be harder to disassociate the Hobie brand with that 80's feeling, but what do I know!). I think it is a great Idea to have dedicated showrooms where you can see the product. Immagine walking into your local mall and seeing this really cool looking shop with HOT looking catamarans with great graphics sailing through the air, hanging on the walls, and on the floor etc, where the people can get on the catamarans, hang from a trapeze, check out some of the cool techy gadgets. They would also sell same brand clothing etc. (it's gotta be cool though) that people will associate with this whole feeling. The majority of the people would walk out of there having bought a T-shirt or something, but the really cool ones would be the ones going home with a cat. (I can see all the girls turning around and stearing already!)

I think something like that would work (hey nobody said anything about budget limitations!!!!!!!!)
It's a way to bring the sport to the people, and the people to the sport.