David,



Thank you for your reply. Your comments may have been taken out of context. If they where I apologize, sometimes there is a fine line between sardonic and sarcastic.





I do not believe that NAHCA is the cause of low attendence. WE ALL ARE at fault. The continuning fracture that is evident is to blame. Let me answer a few of your comments in line





I still don't understand your logic regarding showing up at a Hobie regatta with an I20 and not being welcomed.



@@ David not logic fact! I was made to feel second class by quite a few of the H sailors in attendence. As always the people that remembered us from years past where happy to see us and brought forth all that is good about "the hobie way of life". However, those that did not remember us as sailing a different boat at this regatta -- saw us as "them"



Without taking sides as to whether or not this was the right choice for that fleet to make or whether or not it was nice, I would guess that the fleet didn't plan for an open class and therefore had no class in which to put you.



@@ Actually, there was an "open" class -- it just had 3 I20's (all of us traveled together) and a few 14's and waves. The thing that really was insulting is that we traveled 300 miles by invitation!!



In point #3, you miss the point; the suggestion to exclude other cats (unfortunate, I agree) is not why NAHCA is considered the 800 lb. gorilla, it is as I stated, because of the size of the racing organization. The same logic applies to point #5. I don't discount the other organizations you mention, but if the Hobie racing structure did not have so much influence on cat sailors and so many were not in need of the structure, we wouldn't be having this discussion, because no one would give a rat's a** what NAHCA did. The heated discussions on this bulletin board are evidence of how much the policies of NAHCA's racing structure effect sailors.



@@@ David not exactly, if it was any fleet blantantly saying ? suggestioning exclusion -- I'd be complaining. I'm just louder about Nahca because I am a NAHCA member!!





On point #8, I will echo Greg Scace's comments about the inclusiveness working in Division 11; I live in Greg's area. And our local fleet has members who don't sail Hobies. We don't make them sit in the back of the bus.



@@ David thats great for division 11. I just wish every H fleet did it the sameway. Actually, every fleet that does it 11's way should call up NAHCA and say "Whoa!! Look at this and help them work others into the "Hobie way of life" no matter what they sail. David I guess what really chaps my butt here is that Hobie regattas have always been fun for me, my friends, and family --- Any attempt to tell someone that they are not welcome just lessens us all.



On point #9, the fleets that hold a regatta have their money on the line; not the entrants. The entrants come to the regatta, pay to get and in and sail. If the NOR includes an open fleet, the open boats come; if not, they don't.



@@ My comment was more along the lines what if someone else underwrote the regatta other than the fleet?



Point #10, I love one-design racing (as I am sure do most Tornado sailors). I have raced portsmouth most of my life and get tired waiting for hours to know how I did. I have no problems with one-design regattas; they exist beyond Hobies in cats and monohulls.



@@ Agreed so have I and I hate the same thing thats why I have been outspoke about "Formula" racing. Is it for everyone? No but, it becomes an option.



Lastly, I got it! Your point is that you want to make all Hobie regattas to host an open class. In effect having all brands piggy back on the NAHCA structure.



@@ Well, your half way there. I would like to see every regatta host multihull starts. David for me its much larger than a Hobie, Nacra, Tornado --etc thing. I'd love to see the local monohull clubs host starts for cats -- score them portsmouth, they already do it for everything else.





That's OK, but I don't agree. I will admit that current economics works in favor of your position. I would also council you that what you are seeking is fundamental change of the NAHCA organization.



@@ Agreed



Such a change will not come about in a revolutionary way; with a frontal attack. Such a change could only come about in an evolutionary way.



@@ Disagreed, We have worked for years to get a change. Look at what just happened in NAHCA. The oldtimer hardliners just ousted the best asset that Hobie racing had in GA. These people are living in the past.



By attacking NAHCA and the Hobie organization, you only harden positions, when what you want to do is make them more flexible.



@@ Like I said above we (lots of us) have tried for years to help things change. Then boom!! Fearmongers ran tons of unrealistic stuff up the flagpole. SOld the it was like this in the good old days -- it will be like that again -- bag of goods. And what is really depressing is that fear won out over logic and numbers!!! Have you been to the Lake Hartwell regatta??? It was truley the closest thing to the way "Hobie" sailing use to be and fearmongers just shot the guy who put it together in the head (figuratively).





I hope this dialogue moves beyond this issue and goes forward about what another national organization can really do for cat sailing. Over the years, I have found that change comes as much from individual efforts done locally as from national groups that make pronouncements.



@@ Agreed, But people have to have a direction and help. NAMSA could do this if we (individuals) work out the kinks and sell our local people on the ideas.



NAHCA really has nothing to fear from a "brother" organization that bridges the gaps between the classes. Hell, it was the manufacturers that made those gaps in the first case. Lets be adult and put the fear of other boats behind us.



Wishing you and yours a happy holiday season.

Steve