This the the boat: http://sl16.org/index.html Not promoting it, just answered your question. I want a Blade.

Doug

Doug

Pssst, the numbers keep increasing because there is exactly the same number of youth ages 7 to 24 as the baby boomer generation, 77 million.

The teens and 20's of this century could be just like the 70's and 80's of the last.

Mark stated it already
The time is now

The Hobie forum has a poll asking the age of sailors. I think the bulk of the people were 40 to 60. The internet should be more of outlet for a younger generation. Or I at least I would think that younger people would be searching out things like this through the internet. The hobie poll isn't that great of a benchmark being that only 136 people even voted on it. 4% fall under the youth age group.

Not to mention the fact that this poll was conducted on a HOBIE forum !

Geez, the kids of today do NOT lust over a hobie 16 !

The kids of today do indeed look up alot of stuff on the internet, but why would they go for recent photo's of Twiggy when they can look up recent pics of Beyonce ?

Get the picture ?

Wouter

Twiggy rules, Beyonce drools!

Kids don't care about or have time for talking on sailing forums. They're too busy actually doing things. And that is GOOD!

I thought all kids today sat glued to their computers or tvs? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

None of the kids I know. I think there are more kids participating in more sports today than ever before in history. And that includes sailing, as well.

You get the youth into sailing ONE KID AT A TIME.
1. Take the time to let your kid drive the boat.
2. Beg, borrow or steal an entry level cat and let the kids go out on their own.
3. Borrow the neighbors kid for a weekend crew. Let them make mistakes, and swing on the trap wire in between races.
4. Take your cat on the next group camping trip, and let the kids have a go at it. (ok, get a Wave for this one)

Bottom line: Do Something, and don't bitch about the ones that are doing it on a boat that is different from yours.

We went through this in skiing/snowboarding. Jetski's/motorboats, sailing/motorboats, monohulls/multihulls.... There's idiots in every sport. What you drive doesn't necessarily make you one.

I was at the Youth Nationals. And we gave J.C. a good ribbing about the brand of boats. But the bottom line was that Nacra put up the boats, and we saw our kids have a life experience.

Art did not push Nacra, he pushed youth! Nacra pushed Nacra by supporting the youth.

In closing I'll state that I'm very disappointed in some of the negative responses from my community. Instead of taking advantage of this we're focusing on the ford/chevy argument.

Don:

That is what I have done. Started Ashleigh (grand daughter) at 6, she is now 13. Bought a Mystere 4.3 to further train her on and give her some stick time. We are also going to start learning spinnaker on. Next season I will start with the 7 yr old twin. YES we must do it one at a time, if that is what it takes. We are working on get some input on having Arthur come here.

Doug

How about Hobie 16 the Video Game. Fly Hulls, Surf Swells,
Pitchpoles and more!!! That may get em hooked and then out on the water will soon follow.

Hmm, that game may really be fun now that I think about it. Now I can sail while at work, LOL.

Don, you are right. it is up to all of us to make this happen. You and Shane will have a chance to experience this first hand at the "Fast and Fun" in Kirkland, May 5. Thanks for volunteering. See http://www.ussailing.org/multihull/fast&fun.htm The pictures tell the story. Last year we had over 100 new sailors out on the Waves. Our Volunteers always have a good time. One Hobie Family makes the trip over from Wenatchee every year to take part. "We look forward to taking new people out on the water". This is also a growing experience for our youth sailors. The rules are simple, have fun, and make sure every visitor has a turn on the tiller.

Caleb Tarleton

All I have to say is if you follow the H16 movement you will notice the class is anything but dead and actually in just the last few years has seen a steady increase in participants, boat sales, and many new fleets. Also the H16 is anything but not interesting to kids and any youth program I have seen using H16's the kids are having great fun. By the way Wouter my daughter who is 15 says you are nuts if you think kids do not like H16's. Also the spinnaker has not been rejected for youth sailing but has been accepted with several training camps and big time promotion of H16’s with spin’s. All I have to say to Wouter is blah, blah, blah. How long have some people been saying the H16 is dieing?...a long time, its not happening now and nor will it, sorry to burst you bubble Wouter. It really is sad to see some wanting to see the demise of a great multihull class but maybe that is part of the problem with the growth of mutlihulls in general. Its just mind boggling to see such a successful multihull class get shunned by this forum but luckily you are a minority.

I love to see other multihull classes being successful because unlike some I see the benefits of many multihull classes as a good thing. My opinion is the SL16 is the wrong direction for youth sailing but I am for sure not going to try and sabotage Arts efforts. Wouter says the H16 class has not been a help to Art well I know for sure Art has never been a promoter of the H16 class so why would you think the H16 class would embrace someone who openly rejects them. Its fine if Art does not like the H16, to each his or her own.

But still, good luck Art we wish you the best!

I'm nopt saying these things because I particulary like to be called an idiot by Hobie 16 sailors.

I say them because over here in North West Europe that is the state of things. Value these things as you like, but the basic situation is not changed by ignoring what is happening in other places.

That is all.

Wouter

Where is this happening? Is it in the United States? Sorry, but I don't know where you are from. If you are in the U.S., where are the "many new fleets" forming? If this is the case, I would like to publicize it in "Catamaran Sailor Magazine."

I can't imagine the Hobie 16 Class ever disappearing, but "growing" is a good story.

We're a new fleet (297 resurrected number) that is focusing on the 16 as an entry level boat based strictly on availibility and low cost.

As far as racing goes, we were all excited about going to Mid-Americas last year because in '05 there were like 15 H16's there. We roll in and there are two other 16's (lesson learned, call ahead!) and they called down to Dallas to have a guy scurry up Saturday a.m. for a total of four boats. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> If you like starts with at least 6 to 8 boats the H20 is the boat to bring.

We're hosting Division 14's "daggerless" regatta this weekend and have a little more than 20 16's and few less than 20 14's, but half of these people either race other classes the remainder of the season, have held on to their 14 or 16, or borrow/charter a boat specifically for this event.

The nut must not be from Division 7 or 14 because ours and sogncab (444) are the only new fleets.

Wow! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> Wouter got schooled by a 15 year old girl! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Just thought it was funny...