I'm going to attempt this point for the billionth time.

While I don't think that anyone would argue that onedesign and/or formula is purest racing...

...the purists all neglect to consider that the average catamaran sailor PURCHASES HIS BOAT FOR THINGS OTHER THAN JUST RACING.

He has financial considerations (looked at prices of new boats today?)
He has considerations for local conditions
He has considerations for used-boat availability
He has considerations for the casual use of his boat (I bet most of his time is spent casually sailing)

I have maintained, and still maintain, that the average catamaran sailor purchases his boat with racing being rather far down on his list of things that are important in his boat purchase consideration.

I'm DAMNED if I'll exclude 75% (we have more than half our regatta attendance non-Hobie class) of any regatta because I want to force someone to purchase a certain boat in order to race, which is what this onedesign purist crap boils down to.

You want to lose people from our sport? You go right ahead on and demand that people buy a certain boat - that'll do it for sure.

Your best answer is Formula racing... and even then, I'd bet there are LOTS of people who don't want to put even that much money into it.

sea ya
tami
Vice-commodore, Coast Catamaran Club
Ocean Springs, Mississippi
Most happily sailing my 23-y.o. NACRA 18sq, and ain't ABOUT to give her up.