I had answered your questions awhile ago on the public forum, but it was far down the page... I'll reiterate:
Mark wrote:
: Hi Tami
>>>Hi Mark...
: My first question is Who runs the races in your area. I believe you have local yacht clubs running the majority of your events. The cat sailors contribute by helping the yacht club. I am not sure what kind of national leadership is needed here.
>>>In MS Gulf coast area, the Coast Catamaran Club, a non-NAHCA affiliated club, runs one event, and two are run by OSYC with help from the CCC. I'm very sure these folks would like some help that could be offered on a national level, such as unified scoring program freeware, printed scoring/timesheets, course stickers, and contact and advertising avenues.
: What is the relationship of the racing sailor to the casual sailor... In our area, We have a difficult time getting people to jump up to racing at hobie points regattas. We have a lot of new sailors try a big poitns regatta and never return. Perhaps we missed something that could have made the experience positive and get the guy to return. What role would NAMSA /NAHCA play here.
>>>>I see no reason for Hobie points regattas unless they're onedesign Hobie. What are the NACRA/Prindle/Gcat/18sq/Inter/Brand X guys going to do with Hobie points? Why should Brand X pay to either join NAHCA or pay a 'boat tax' or extra fees at a regatta to race, especially when the race is comprised of more Brand X than of Hobie class boats? NAHCA needs Brand X far more than Brand X needs them, for as you admit, the fleets depend on non-Hobie class boats for their survival.
: We have a difficult time getting new sailors into cats for just recreation. Again, I am not sure what national leadership could do to solve this one. The discusion on the civil forum generated lots of ideas and pointed to some things. National leadership did not come up.
>>>National leadership can be more inclusive of all boat makes, which might well make Joe Sailor feel a little less cut-out because he doesn't own a Hobie. I also would hope that in developing a national organization, we can place some emphasis on recreational activities as well as on racing. Why not have national awards for those who volunteer, or who set up weekend / day sails, etc. And a national organization can lobby for beach access with a powerful voice...
: Hell. look at the initiatives proposed by Rich McVeigh and ask how they will foster more hobie sailors racing at hobie events. I don't see much there... perhaps Youth programs (always a tough issue)... i surely don't see joe sailor motivated to go to a world championship in hobie 16's
>>>>No, of course he isn't. Joe Sailor would like to occasionally race, without paying extra because of the boat he sails. Joe Sailor likes to have a group of other sailors he can hang with. He might like having a national newsletter. Joe might want to fight for beach access for him and his local fleet. Joe might like having a resource for information.
: How does a national organization effect the grass roots?
>>>>Well, I've kinda been telling you that all along. Until recently, I haven't been involved with NAHCA at all, since I was involved with the CCC, as I said above. But since I moved to Texas, I have joined the local fleet, which is a Hobie fleet, although its membership is comprised of mostly non Hobie-class boats. It's interesting. I don't really see NAHCA doing anything for these guys, except having previously laid out the network of Divisions/Fleets. The Division provides an avenue for advertisement and communication amongst the fleets, and the fleets run the races. This is all local, in effect. But what happens at a race is that the local fleet charges extra for non-NAHCA members to enter races, sort of like a 'boat tax.' They don't get the 'tax' as it is sent off. That would be ok if it is sent to the Division, which is providing a service, but I think it is at least partially sent to NAHCA, which really isn't doing anything at all, not for the majority Brand X.
>>>>My assertion is: if any given fleet is mostly Hobie class, well then, sure, they should stay within the NAHCA organization, it would make sense. But in our, and I'm getting the feeling that in a lot more than our, case, it would make sense for the fleets to align themselves with a similar, NATIONAL, ALL INCLUSIVE, organization that will represent them, not just one make, and will provide the same avenues of communication and support that NAHCA previously had.
: From my point of view...a possilbe NAHCA policy... We welcome open class and formula class and we strongly support one design sailing in Waves to Supercat 22's. would be fantastic postive change!
>>>>Why does this have to be NAHCA? This policy would be inherent in a national open class organization, wouldn't it? Then Brand X wouldn't feel like he was being 'taxed without representation.' And if he was active within his class, then he can join his individual class organization as well.
: NAHCA policy of "we need open class participation for finiancial viability in our area" speaks for itself.
>>>>If you need Brand X, then you should return the favor. Represent Brand X if you tax them. And no, thank you, I don't want to be hammered with pressure to get a Hobie, either. Joe Sailor just wants to race a little and have a good time.
Sea ya
tami
