Mark,



I don't think we are talking about totally different issues. In response to your question, "Can we come up with solutions that promote racing using the weekend regatta structure . . .", I would again suggest that the answer lies beyond the strictly racing focus. It's about building the critical mass of sailors, of all interests and abilities. This is a necessary first step before narrowing the focus to weekend regatta structures.



A couple of other sports I have watched over the years have taken seemingly opposite paths. One continues to grow. The other peaked early and has since been in steady decline. The sports I'm referring to are sea kayaking and windsurfing.



When I first tried my hand at windsurfing, it was the rage. Everyone was doing it in my town. It seemed that one in ten cars had a windsurfer rack on top. In those early days, the boards and sails were pretty crude by today's standards, but they were beginner friendly. Eventually, the sport gravitated to the extreme. Gear became more performance oriented and a lot more expensive. Many people dropped out, but more importantly, the sport became one that was difficult for the beginner to get into.



On the other hand, when I started sea kayaking back in the 80's, the majority of the boats on the market were "expedition" boats, designed to carry intrepid explorers around Cape Horn or the North Sea, etc. The sport began on the radical fringe and was definately not perceived as the "anyone can do it" sport that is now promoted.



Over time, sea kayak designs spawned a whole new class of boat, generically termed, "recreational kayaks". These new affordable boats were aimed at the masses ($300-$800 vs. the $4k kayak I have sitting in my basement). They have sold extremely well and have introduced many, many people to the sport that they would have otherwise avoided. From the masses who have taken to the water have come some exceptional paddlers and a continental movement toward establishing water trail systems for recreational use, including the establishment of North American Water Trails, serving as an umbrella organization to the hundreds of trail projects in the US and Canada.



My point here is that if we want racing to flourish, we have to look beyond the problems of low attendance at weekend regattas. We have to create a sport that is not just perceived as the domain of the jocks and the well-to-do (or the well-to-do jocks).



As I recall, cat sailing had its origins in the spirit of creating a boat for the masses, breaking away from the yacht club mucky mucks, partying on the beach, having fun. Out of that, naturally enough, evolved the racing scene. And that's great. If we forget about sailing fun for the masses, however, the whole sport is going to suffer and decline.



Cheers,