| Re: The state of catamaran sailing
[Re: BrianK]
#142536 05/08/08 01:26 PM 05/08/08 01:26 PM |
Joined: Jun 2001 Posts: 3,116 Annapolis, MD Mark Schneider
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,116 Annapolis, MD | Excellent call Brian! How about a report from a volunteer in each major sailing region.
The Hobie Divisions do a good job of asesement and publish this in their division reports. Taken all together might allow a fair assesment of the entire catamaran scene.
I suggest a report include a summary on
How about OD fleet status/ Racing schedule Open class fleet status. Trends in participation. Yacht club/ Paper club status. Junior Sailing opportunities (B fleets?) Any other burning issues.
Mark
Last edited by Mark Schneider; 05/08/08 01:32 PM.
crac.sailregattas.com
| | | Re: The state of catamaran sailing
[Re: BrianK]
#142537 05/08/08 01:42 PM 05/08/08 01:42 PM |
Joined: Jun 2001 Posts: 12,310 South Carolina Jake
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 12,310 South Carolina | We're not growing in Dn. EMSA is starting to track regatta attendence, and though Spring Fever was strong, we're not seeing any new faces at our local regattas.
One a fun / good note, our assembly manager came up to me this morning and said that he could understand how I was so addicted to catamaran sailing. He had gone on his honeymoon at a resort that had Hobie Waves and got some good instruction...they had a ball and he was amazed at how fast they were! :-) Yes, I'm inviting he and his new wife out to a regatta though I'm not sure he's ready for a spin boat. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Jake Kohl | | | Re: The state of catamaran sailing
[Re: hobiegary]
#142539 05/08/08 06:29 PM 05/08/08 06:29 PM |
Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 921 Alachua, FL Mugrace72
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 921 Alachua, FL | <<<<Florida actually IS 'the state of catamaran sailing,' isn't it?>>>
It was when I quit in 1975! Now I am back and everyone is gone.
It seems there are boats all over FL but few racing. I'm talking H14, 16, 18, P16, 5.2, etc. These guys don't seem to travel much anymore. The new, high tech F16, F18, I20 people are deeply involved and travel.
I used to drive from Key West to Mt. Dora for a 1 day race. There were beach races all the time with 100 boats. At Miami YC we got 75 cats and sailed in a canal!
We can't go back.
One thing that really jumps out at me is that they lowered the weight on a H16 to 320#. Most older boats are at least 360# so unless you have a new boat you are a loser at the gun. Hobie has always been strict on one-design, but what happened? You still have to have a propriety tramp and comptip, but there is no way to shead 40# without a sawzall.
Jack Woehrle Hobie Wave #100, Tiger Shark III HCA-NA 5022-1 USSailing 654799E Alachua FL/Put-In-Bay | | | Re: The state of catamaran sailing
[Re: BrianK]
#142542 05/08/08 07:34 PM 05/08/08 07:34 PM |
Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,348 fin.
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,348 | I've stopped worrying about it and just enjoy sailing. The quality of the events is quite good.
"I always liked the travel though, sort of like mini-vacations and a good excuse to get out of town." Agreed, but I'm getting a little more particular about organization and travel distance.
Last edited by Tikipete; 05/08/08 07:37 PM.
| | | Re: The state of catamaran sailing
[Re: BrianK]
#142545 05/09/08 06:36 AM 05/09/08 06:36 AM |
Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 6,049 Sebring, Florida. Timbo
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,049 Sebring, Florida. | I have been hoping that one upside of higher gasoline prices might be more sailboats, less jet skis, but the higher gas prices are going to limit long distance regatta travelers, no doubt. I drove to Alabam and back last weekend, it was over $350 in gasoline, and the prices have gone up since last weekend!
I really think we need to get the cat manufactures and sailing clubs out to the big boat shows (power boat shows especially) and bring new people into the sport. It's an easy sell when you tell them they will never put gas in their catamaran. If there is a club representative present, they can explain the benefits of having a storage place and regular racing or instruction available.
I think we will see growth at clubs like Gulfport that offer mast up storage and regular racing. I would be there every weekend if I lived closer, but it's over $50 in gas for me to drive there now and the price keeps going up. Hard to justify it when I live on a lake and my mast is already up. But we really need the big manufactures to step it up, advertise in Outdoor Magazine, (and not just their Kayaks) as well as all sporting mags, push the -no gas required- angle and get some clubs to show up and advertise their programs too. This could be a great oportunity to grow the sport as gasoline goes up, up, up.
One bright note, my twin daughters, just home from college, went out (one at a time) with me on the Prindle yesterday, first time they have sailed in many years. I had them steer from the wire while I worked the mainsheet. We were able to fly a hull a few times in the puffs.
They said they really enjoyed it but I'm thinking they are just learning how to work the old man, just like their mom. They must want me to buy them a new horse or something... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />
Blade F16 #777
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