[censored]?!?!?!? Nothing could be further from the truth! We want to get EVERYONE involved in racing no matter how hardcore you are about it! Hell, I'm still trying to figure out if I come to regattas more for the racing, or more for the party and people.

Believe me, the "Richards" concentration in Catsailing is microscopic, almost unmeasurable, compared to the slowboat fleets.

Now that US Sailing has dropped the requirement to join, I will reconsider joining. I am still not at all happy with their non-support of the Tornado in the Olympics, but I think I will have more leverage by joining as a "Golden Anchor, Multihull Member, than just telling them to pound sand. John Williams, is there a Golden Anchor link on the US Sailing site, or should I go through you?
Thanks.

Where did this response come from Clayton?

The whole movement about racers (not just cat sailors) not wanting USSA membership to be mandatory was to support grass roots guys and fringe racers interests. Now anyone who wants to can join voluntarily for various reasons, and have access to the benefits, as well as support the organization. You can still race and be welcome, just at a different price and commitment level. I don’t know anyone who feels like casual racers ought to be kept off the race course.

http://www.ussailing.org/multihull/ga_form.asp

For anyone that wants to join, that is fine - it is a matter of personal feeling and, since there is not going to be a rule requiring it, it is still a matter of personal preference.

For my part, I've been invited to help out in developing some member-focused perks and incentives as just one facet of the upcoming member drive. The last few months have demonstrated that the organization needs to reconsider how to present itself to new and renewing members. If you have ideas, either drop by the SA thread, post them here, or e-mail me.

Things I like (at low- or no-cost) that have been done lately include Dave Perry's idea to put the US appeals on-line for people to read. I also like the way the race management website continues to expand the stuff like shake-n-bake SIs, NORs, equipment lists, suppliers for marks, flags, etc... This stuff needs better visiblity and placement to make it accessible to more member clubs and classes to use. Even simple little incentives like the upcoming member card redesign and the possibility that Sailing World is coming back... member-focus, national stewardship, non-intrusive assistance... an overhual is sounding more likely.

BUT - I know many (including me) have lost faith and trust. It will be a crucial show-me period for the rest of the year, I think. Nobody can be expected to write a check for dues unless the value is expanded and made self-evident.

Clayton - don't cross anything off. That only hurts the clubs like Ocean Springs that put on fun events like Slip to Ship and Island Hop. And events like that are why a huge number of us sail to begin with. Take the fun part - there's nothing stopping you and nobody should suggest otherwise.

BUT - I know many (including me) have lost faith and trust. It will be a crucial show-me period for the rest of the year, I think. Nobody can be expected to write a check for dues unless the value is expanded and made self-evident.


Hi John,

While I agree that perks are nice.... it's hard to come up with 60 bucks of value in perks... (nor would I be interested in paying for these perks)

Perks are not the issue for me. USSA delivers the infrastructure for good sailboat racing... I believe it's worthy of our support.

The best people to deliver this message to racers are the host YC and organizing authorities.

I suggest that USSA create THIS very focused message to the organizing authorities and ASK them to make the case to the racers in their own words. If nobody tells you what you are getting... how are you supposed to know about this stuff?

This is the bottom line about why you need to be a member. These are the services that we value and simply don't recognize or take for granted.

Protest committes are almost non existant at cat races... The mere thought of being hauled into one drives people crazy with fear of the unknown.... so they may not play by the rules and the game suffers.

What if a USSA judge showed up and did a public Protest Committe hearing with some volunteer complaints on Saturday evening... Think we might learn something and get value out of HIS training and expertise at heading up the protest committe? The judge benefits (bet he never thought about catamaran speeds and the rules... the participants benefit and us bystanders get to learn and ask questions. We get to play the game hard and safely the next time we race.

Even the Clayton's of the world... the non racers out to give it whirl would get some education out of a program like this.

How about if the the Regatta PRO was asked to state his credentials and USSA training at the skippers meeting... It would certainly make the point that he takes this seriously and wants to make sure us racers have a great regatta...

I can't think of an event where this kind of promotion occurred... On the other hand... I listen to plugs for all the sponsors who gave money or stuff which defrayed my expense... (and I don't care about that crap)

There are legit questions about USSA's focus, overhead and leadership, relationship to Olympics etc but one must deal with these seperatly and not just mush everything into the waste barrel.

Kudo's for all of the shots you deflect on SA... If myself and wouter are PIA on this board... it's NOTHING like the SA set of pissants.

John, thanks for the link and here is my single idea for increasing membership;

Allow all US Sailing members (with cards) access to daily rentals of dinghys at the several US Sailing Centers nation wide. In addition to that, since they already have the boats, water access, instructors and insurance, they should offer some type of a 1-2 hour "check out" program for anyone who already knows how to sail and would like to rent. Then charge them a reasonable fee but in addition to the checkout, they would get a 1yr. introductory membership and card which allows them to rent again without the checkout.

Then, next year, you hit them up for the full amount. If they can see some tangible benefit (rentals of boats) they may become full price members. This is how most community sailing centers operate, and US Sailing could do the same.

In addition to the rule book, it would be nice if they would publish a listing of locations and phone numbers for all the comunity sailing centers they are affiliated with.

Those (two) guys are seriously mentally impaired.

I appreciate you guys weighing in over there. I know people are upset and I don't blame them, but they should aim the cannons in the right direction before touching off the powder. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

I honestly don't know why they're even aiming in your general direction.

Its not like you ever endorsed the plan at any stage of its proposal.

Their point that "just because it was EVEN CONSIDERED" means that YOU specifically must go is laughable and incredibly myopic.

Oh and I'd like them to take you up on your offer of running against you for MHC chair. That'd be laughable. I'm pretty sure it'd be a "48 state landslide" in favor of Squirrelpower.

It isn't even so much about "me v them." I just want to see them do something beyond calling for everyone currently volunteering to quit. You and I and many others will still be working out what is best for our niche of the sport long after those guys forget mandatory membership was even proposed.

Why would any of you waste any time talking to anyone on the SA site? You might just as well go bang your head against a cement wall, at least that will feel good when you stop.

Those guys are the very reason people get out of sailing soon after they get in, and meet up with their attitudes. It has to be fun or nobody's going to spend time and money doing it.

Only trying to correct the record - claims that the Board were unanimous were false and needed to be corrected. Claims that the prescription was inevitable were wrong and needed to be corrected. Claims that a sailor cannot get his or her voice heard are wrong. The withdrawal of the prescription should be proof.

Good on 'ya John for straightening them out, I stopped going to that site a long time ago, so obnoxious they are.

I am a member of US Sailing, but I have nothing to show for it. Seems like when I wanted to join they were extremely quick to reply to my emails and answer all my questions. Now that I am asking about cards and decals I have not received one reply.

Doesnt west marine give discounts if you are a USS Member? Also I wouldnt mind rocking the decal on my tow vehicle.

What gives?

Re Mark's suggestion that PROs and race committee members are potential suees after an accident or injury: Has this in fact ever happened? I have never heard of it in 30 years of cat racing mostly in Florida.
Likewise- How about extension of this thread to the liability insurance insisted on by some municipalities before allowing sailboat racing offshore in the big blue Atlantic Ocean. Otherwise known as the Regatta Killing Insurance Requirement: If I recall, this "Liability Insurance" is not for participants- its for the observing public. Has anyone documented such an incident (followed by a lawsuit) during a regatta?
Would USSA be helpful in providing such insurance?

Melbourne Yacht Club in Florida has been sued.

Yes it does happen.

ding, any link to what happened in that case? Should be an interesting read...

And back to Rolf's comments about the US legal system. Around here, nothing is "my" fault. There is always someone else to blame.

Not that I know the details of the case, but there was a teenager who PULLED THE TRIGGER and shot his teacher in school. I believe the victim's relatives sued the HANDGUN MANUFACTURER for not having adequate safety mechanisms on the handgun.

I'm still not sure how a handgun is supposed to determine that a finger pulling the trigger is doing it on purpose or "by accident"

It HAS happened. All over the USA. Don't be naive and think that the lawyers looking at some unfortunate racers or as pointed out earlier, spectators) case isn't going to look to those responsible for the event. Protect and insulate yourself from these awful situations. USSailing can be the vehicle for that protection. Call Lloyd's of London for a quote on specific event insurance,but sit down first.

And what about the "hold harmless" liability release forms? I guess they are worthless? I know lots of people die riding horses over fences every year, but when you sign up to compete, the first thing you sign is a liabilty waiver, and I've never heard of any horse farm being sued because some kid flipped over a jump and died, and that happens nearly once a week, nation wide. OH, and most of their Daddy's are Lawyers!

Liability Waivers are nothing more than a speed bump on the road to court.

Nothing prevents someone attempting to sue. They may not win, but you still have to defend yourself. Defending yourself means hiring an attorney. Hiring an attorney costs significant $$.

That's why we all carry insurance.