Quite the diatribe there, Bert. Too bad you missed our meeting in FL, you'd have seen that we have the full support of US Sailing.

I will agree that we are the masters of our own destiny, and that rebuilding the Alter Cup has taken a toll on our time over the past few years. We intend to leverage their support, and shift our focus to the other key parts of our charter over the coming years.

It's really sad when every day on this site, we have to see people use any and all opportunities to bash existing groups, whose sole purpose is to promote, organize or otherwise help our sport. We don't have to agree with every decision, but should at least respect the efforts being made.

Mike

Too funny... Bille? Really? You want to train beginners on an AC72? That's kinda like learning to fly on an SR-71 rather than a Cessna.



For this program... Hobie, ASA and Oracle are working to build entry level. We will leave the AC72 performance to the AC72s.

We are not trying to win the cup here.

Matt, thank you for continuing to post here and pass on interesting and relevant data.

It is sad that no good deed (or post) goes without getting a bucket load of negativity here.

I, for one, think I get it: Its a stepping stone connecting the aspirational pull of AC72 with the reality of getting people on the water.

If Hobie has some interest in helping us get some at our club, then we need to talk. Our Sailing Association is a 501c

At the moment, we have a Wave and a Tiger as club boats and would ideally like a T2 to fill the gap.

I think that black boat is ****ing awesome.

EXACTLY.....

AND..... the builders and the learn to sail organizations are much better at marketing this level of the sport to newbies then catamaran racing clubs... or yacht clubs.

Many of the learn to sail programs finish up with some kind of race... and are followed up with advanced classes where racing starts to happen... Selling these kinds of boats and teaching sailing to newbies on these kinds of boats is what you want a buisness for... the clients pay money. I sure hope ASA and Hobie cat make money on this.

The existing cat clubs full of volunteers then have to reach out and support those potential racers.

The alternative is to cut back on the racing from our activities and replace racing with learn to sail and beach parties off the public beaches. No club that I know of wants a social club for this purpose much less a business. (Did the social club thing once in my life and never never again)

That's fine if you sail a Hobie but if you don't I'm assuming you're not included. Yes?

I would contact the closest dealer and discuss it. We also offer some institutional pricing direct to clubs in certain cases, but sales is not my thing. Contact the dealer or email info@hobiecat.com to route the question to our sales department.

Couldn't be more wrong. (I belong to the same club.)

Good deal.

Pete- Our club is 95% monohulls and cruiser/racers. The multihulls have been the red-headed step-child for quite some time, but recently the senior leadership is slowly starting to see the light. Through things like AC and the activities and enthusiasm of our small F18 fleet, they are seeing the merit of a higher adrenaline solution to keep the young (and young at heart) engaged. More importantly, they are seeing some ROI in the form of growth - a rare commodity in any flavor of sailing these days.

As for manufacturers, we have a mixture of boats. We went the Hobie route (for club multihulls) for a number of reasons. One big one is that they seem to be the only one putting forth some effort at the entry level. Its easy to second-guess that effort, but at least its there.

Matt M - Understand reality - nobody can run a business like a charity for very long will talk to the local guys.

Cheers!

Bic has done a good job of getting their Open Bics into junior sailing programs by offering some very steep discounts for quantity buys for a few years and then modifying the program to offer the same discount regardless of quantity but throwing in training sails and other stuff based on quantity purchased. It also doesn't hurt that they use West Marine as their US distributor. That saved us a huge amount in shipping costs.

Another company that's doing a good job on discounts is RS. We're buying six. They're giving us the quantity 10+ discount. They're now offering a 16 foot cat.

wait... so trimarans are not included in the multihull council?

dangit.. I'm moving from one red-headed stepchild (N20) to another (trimarans).

But at least I got the depthfinder to work so the world (or at least Florida Bay) is my oyster

Screw you guys, I'm going home

Tris are technically included (it's the multihull committee, not the cat committee). Traditionally, tris have organized under existing regional groups (PHRF or other handicaps, racing from yacht clubs).

Our committee has had many tri sailors on its board. Anyone willing to help is welcome.

Mike

Bert
My head count of the big boat trimaran sailors on the MHC meetings was at least 4 people.

I always made a point to contact the CMA guys who are big boat cat and tri sailors in AREA C and ask about any issues they want action on. They participated in the Annapolis USSA national meeting.

The problem for you is that they are outspoken in not wanting to move to a national PHRF handicap system. They may hate their existing rule... but they want no part of national PHRF either.

They are also the lead on big boat safety at sea issues because this is important in their participation in the big point to point races.

Right, kick butt. Well, don't want to sound like a dick or nothin', but, ah... it says on your chart that you're fucked up. Ah, you talk like a fag, and your ****'s all retarded. What I'd do, is just like... like... you know, like, you know what I mean, like... Don't worry, scrote. There are plenty of 'tards out there living really kick-butt lives. My first wife was 'tarded. She's a pilot now.

Sorry. I meant to say it was way more better.

Mark,

I was on the organizing Comm for the original Trimaran Nationals in 1995 and served as what is now known as the 'PRO.'

Ian was onboard the committee boat, and Trey Ritter was on point with the ratings. We have used the same handicappers and discovered fresh talent since then. Our system is the most nationwide system there is for production tris, one - off PHRF vessels, and recently, we awarded a DPN for a foiler.

Do not even use your cat rhetoric or BS on me regarding production trimarans. They are coming in force to a region near you. Within three years you will see an emergence of F 22s and Wetas turning the eyes of the kids.

The youth love sailing on the boats with their parents and friends so they can learn seamanship.

You and Mike steer clear of any trimaran babble you might wish to conjour. The fact is having members on a vocal committee is not quite the same as having a committee in working hands.

Watch your waters or lose your rep with the tri guys.