HA now to the point.

Help us build a (SMALL BOAT) multi-hull fleet in Charlotte Harbor and surrounding areas. There is a group of Cruising Cats and Tris here, but I was thinking more like Hobie, Nacra, Prindle, F-??, A??, WindRider, Wetta, home built - 2 feet to 20 feet maybe 22 feet, maybe 27.

give me a call at 941-979-9728, let's talk about the possibilities. I spoke with jkkartz1 today and he is willing to help spearhead this thing. I work in the boat business 8 days a week, so we need all the help and support you can give us.

John ><>

Dude, is it a HOBIE fleet or a beach cat fleet you're trying to build?

There are a lot of bad feelings about Hobie exclusivity. IF your fleet is open to ALL cats you need to make that abundantly clear.

If it's all cats count me in.

The US Sailing One Design Class Council and the Hobie Class Association are two of the best resources for ideas. Matt Bounds would be a good cat sailing contact.

Here are some things that Hobie Fleet 448 does. This fleet is from RI, and has a large percentage of non-racers (who will never be converted, but always show up and add to the critical mass).

Staff a booth with the dealer at the winter boat shows. Promote all the sailing activities and collect names and contact info.

Have the first event be a "tune-up" day, as early in the season as possible. Partner with your dealer to have a parts truck on site at the beach, or have the event at the dealership. The goal is to get the boats set up (often for the first time of the season) and correct any equipment issues. Sailing on this day is a bonus, not a requirement.

Fun races, short distance races, scavenger hunts, poker runs, island hops, relay races, water balloon fights, and clinics round out the rest.

Partner with a local adult educational program, and host a learn-to-sail day. Most large cities have such organizations, where you can do things like ski, kayak, basket-weave, etc.

Feed people. The fleet has an equipment trailer, at least half of the stuff in there is focused on feeding people (grill, tent, tables, coolers, paper goods, etc.). Post-sailing alcohol is a bonus if your sailing location allows that.

Communicate. Email at a minimum, a short paper newsletter is best (can be passed out on the beach, schedule can be posted on your fridge at home, etc.). Your dealer, West Marine and other places should be willing to post flyers for you, especially if you give them ad space in your newsletter.

Hobie Fleet 204 (Syracuse, NY) has a larger percentage of racers, and their activities tend to reflect that, but they are hugely successful at recruiting newbies. They do many of the things above, as well as:

Newbie Tuesday: Take out new sailors each week on existing members boats, or their own if that applies.

Fleet racing every Thursday, usually swapping crews to cross-train. Newbies are encouraged to attend.

There are fleets throughout the country doing these types of things well. Those that don't, suffer.

These same concepts work regardless of boat type or class support (although that always helps).

Mike

PS: Let's all agree to keep the off-topic stuff for other threads.

Mark in a earlier post used the phrase, "Critical Mass". Right now there isn't. I want more beach cats on Charlotte Harbor. What ever brand. We hope to build on any interest developed from the Charlotte Harbor Regatta.

It's all small cats and tris, no cruising boats.

Just to be a smart alec, Dude, what part of didn't you understand?

Let's not get off topic like the last post and sqew this into a Hobie vs World battle, lets just get together and sail.

Gonna be at the beach all day today, stop by and bring your boat.

Forget it. You send a mixed message, you want a Hobie fleet, then you're a Hobie dealer, and now lastly you want to be inclusive.

I don't think you know what you want.

I think he's being pretty clear - all cats are invited. I chalk up the previous statement to the generic use of the word "Hobie" to mean small beach cats. A ton of people do that. Relax...the guy is inviting everyone.

I'm sticking with this...

Mike

There is, or was, a small community sailing center gathering support just across the bay. I'd like to know why he isn't working with those folks.

I my opinion, that is where we will end up. Right now we need to find a "Critical Mass".

Right now the Charlotte County Community Sailing Center is having a fight with the lessor, the City of Punta Gorda and the lessee, the Charlotte County YMCA. The YMCA is acting very selfish.

You have been there. Yes there is a ramp, but it is not very beach cat convenient. Stuff4Toys has the sailboat rental concession at Port Charlotte Beach, which is more beachcat friendly. Port Charlotte Beach will is also the location of the Charlotte Harbor Regatta.

Again, we are just getting started. Keep an open mind.

Thanks for getting to the point Jack, the ramp. When it's status changed from certain to uncertain I lost interest.

There is/was some interest from the big formal club in Port Charlotte. I believe they are the prime movers in the February regatta, yes? If so they should be the first contact: 1)to show their efforts have generated interest. 2) to put together some local political clout. If you're nobody you'll get nothing from government.

Maybe I left something out, or you are only seeing what you want to see. I AM the Racing Fleet Captain for the largest sailing club is SW Florida.

We do work with and help support the Community Sailing Center and are good friends with most of the board members.

Yikes, are you just trying to pick our efforts apart for fun or are you always this ornery?

Can't you just let this thread do what it was intended to do "Bring beach cat and tri sailors together to have some fun"

np

Good job for trying to pull sailors together ...

how about we set up a time to get together during the Charlotte Harbor Regatta?

I'll be there racing, so perhaps this could be the start of something????

It would be great to kick off a SWFLA Multi-Hull Club in only a few weeks.

I will be working that week at the regatta, either at the Hobie Booth or our rental trailer.

It's been my general observation that sailors who are relegated to posting online (because they're NOT sailing) - myself included - get quite ornery

In person, even the most vitreous posters seem to have a much more sanguine personality. Trey, Tad, Pete, #2, several of the Mikes, and...dare I say it...

Wout,

are prime examples of fun folks to sail with but I'm somewhat shocked by what they post sometimes...

You guys are pretty thin skinned 'bug.

And....anyone who can eat a hopelessly mangled pbj should be able to stomach anything I post.

Saturday would have been a GREAT day to be out, 8-12knots, Sunday was 0-4, but lots of boats out. the Flying Scott Regionals were here.