Matt
Hobie has long ago elected to head down a path of isolationism, and the A class rarely if ever is willing to get on the water with boats of any other make or style.
Watch lighting strike me.... Hobie has slowly but surely changed their policies and now sail points regattas at multiclass events. They have tried to invite F18's to Madcatter. Point being... they are evolving as well.
A Class's sail several multiclass regattas for the Atlantic Coast Series. West River SA, Rock Hall YC, and Hobie Fleet 32 hosted multiclass events with A class starts, other multi's and your standard dinghy classes. Bristol and Hopactong hosted A class only events.
Larger “mega style” catamaran events or whatever you want to call them would at least allow for the possibility to generate more press, sponsorship and exposure to the public.
This is a freakin unicorn! I see little or no payoff here but would love to see some positive evidence of such. (EVERY CLASS believes this cannard but nobody has proven that it works)
The Ski industry markets fireplaces and parties at the lodge apres sking... NOT the Downhill to attract new skiers. The sailing industry markets nothing.
Advertising the regatta basics... turnout/participation, resumes of the top racers, the expertise of the race committee your class has obtained and the "hot" venue is marketing to other racers in other classes.... Cruisers and recreational sailors could care less about this stuff.
How to market racing to cruisers and newbies is an age old problem.... but NOT one addressed by tweaking the regatta formats.
I don't see how a MEGA
catamaran event really works for promoting cat racing.... we are just preaching to the choir ... worse... the X class thinks that the Y class is trying to steal their sailors (see, the old hobie paranoia with respect to open class).
My view is that many sailors are motivated by "special events" more so then a series but a class needs a series to keep it's focus.
I suggest that the New England F18's have the right idea... they are supporting Newport Regatta (100 plus boats) and this weekend's American YC HPDO... 100 plus boats. The A class had scheduling problems this year but plans a big return next year to those events. The West Coast F18's pay the extra freight and endure the extra hassle for participating in the NOOD regattas.... I think this is a better marketing approach to attract other racers.
My proposal would be for each class to focus on their regional regatta circuit and make sure that you maximize the fun factor. Therefore, you must get 10 boats on the line at designated points regattas, any less and the fun factor will be on the slippery slope to hell (not to mention your ability to recruit new members) ... If the numbers drop... drop the weakest event. Strong regatta turnout is essential to keeping the class viable in a region. Promote this as a strength. If you want more racing, (and you will as your class grows)... add events as open class events where you get that 10 boat turnout of other boats (EVEN WHEN YOU SHOW UP WITH 7 BOATS). In my opinion... when you get the regional circuit correct... the national turnouts for midwinters and NA's will grow steadily and be sustainable over time.
I watch the Hobie Div 11 guys and they are extremely loyal to their class... they routinely get 85 to 90 percent of their fleet to their scheduled points regattas. It is a proven strategy!
If you want three day regional championships (as this thread purports) My advice to the F16 class is to figure out... the Gulfport and Spring Fever conflict.... move gulfport at least a couple to 4 weeks away from Spring Fever. Show up with 10 boats at spring fever (or loose your f16 card) ... then make gulfport a F16-F18 two man race.... put the single handers in a start with the A class and market the event as He man...Old man single handed championship of the world. and the F16-F18 race as the lightweights versus the heavyweight championship of the world. (or something actually clever).
Cheers.... (your milage will vary)