Tikipete, just prompting for the thought pattern, not trolling for an argument. Trying to see the "start them on an Opti" viewpoint and coming up empty.
My experience is that any kid who can sail an Opti can pair up with another kid or 2 and adequately sail a Wave.
The things they learn on an Opti don't translate to cats well. Heck, they have to completely relearn how to tack since it is completely different on an Opti than any cat.
And they get used to single-handing an Opti and have to start anew learning how to communicate with crew on a cat.
Just start them on a cat.
Set up the foundation and give learn to sail grants to kids to learn to sail cats. Simple!
Re: US Sailing funding...?
[Re: TeamTeets]
#142494 05/10/0806:34 PM05/10/0806:34 PM
Close to 2 Mil for "offshore racing and race administration?" Wow!
And a little shy of 1 Mil for "keelboats and promotion of sailing?" Sheesh!
I don't begrudge the investments. I'm sure a bunch of that money was donated with a lot of strings attached and it has to stay invested a certain way and they are allowed to tap it only a certain way.
Re: US Sailing funding...?
[Re: barbshort]
#142495 05/10/0806:41 PM05/10/0806:41 PM
You can't beat free. But beware how much money and labor goes into "free" boats that need work.
On the other point, it won't happen unless we create it. I would think the goal of a multi foundation would be to create the 200-300 kids on cats, not just contribute the status quo system.
Re: US Sailing funding...?
[Re: walkefmb]
#142498 05/11/0809:32 AM05/11/0809:32 AM
If any of your kids show an interest in lighter spin cats, let me know. I'd be happy to demo the Blade for them. For that matter, I'd be happy to demo for the "older" kids!
I took Arie's 11 y.o., Alex, for a short ride and he seemed to be intrigued by the spin, even on a light air day.
btw- thinking in the Opti to cat vein; how about using USS to develope a cat certification and or spinaker cert. for the older Opti kids. It could be a great segue
Last edited by Tikipete; 05/11/0809:49 AM.
Re: US Sailing funding...?
[Re: fin.]
#142499 05/11/0809:24 PM05/11/0809:24 PM
I tried to talk Alex into signing up for a local Opti program, and his response was that he was not interested in sailing a "bathtub"...This was before Pete's spin ride! No telling what that experience will do to him... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />
Arie Hobie 16 111812
Re: US Sailing funding...?
[Re: arievd]
#142500 05/11/0809:59 PM05/11/0809:59 PM
Please remember self rescue is a must for green fleet opti's most of these kids are not more than 75#. MAke sure they have enough supervision and the safety issues start to melt , but enough fglasswork is done on the optis let alone cats crossing and intermingleing at closing speeds above 15knts
cedar tornado classic, sunfish, 1972 morgan 27 optidad
Re: US Sailing funding...?
[Re: arievd]
#142501 05/12/0812:24 AM05/12/0812:24 AM
I tried to talk Alex into signing up for a local Opti program, and his response was that he was not interested in sailing a "bathtub."
So if you have a sports car and he wants to drive it someday, will you let him refuse to go to driver training school because he is not interested in driving "dogs"?
Re: US Sailing funding...?
[Re: Mary]
#142502 05/12/0807:51 AM05/12/0807:51 AM
Absolutely not, nor would I let him drive the cat until he has gone through a basic sailing program and then some! I was just trying to illustrate how easy it is to influence these kids and how they form opinions... And, yes, I was able to change his mind and get him signed up!
Arie Hobie 16 111812
Re: US Sailing funding...?
[Re: walkefmb]
#142503 05/12/0811:37 AM05/12/0811:37 AM
Please remember self rescue is a must for green fleet opti's most of these kids are not more than 75#. MAke sure they have enough supervision and the safety issues start to melt , but enough fglasswork is done on the optis let alone cats crossing and intermingleing at closing speeds above 15knts
You and I did enough damage going from Optis to FJs to Lightenings before Tornados (by 19 years old). I would hate to have seen the wake of destruction we would have left behind if we left one of those key steps out.
Last edited by DHFiend; 05/12/0811:58 AM.
Re: US Sailing funding...?
[Re: USA1273]
#142504 05/12/0812:18 PM05/12/0812:18 PM
I think that was the first real world demonstration of "matter cannot occupy the same space at the same time". That and the fact that because something has the word FLYING in it doesn't mean that it really is ment to fly. This pas t w/e just saw the return from the repair shed of 16 optis that had all suffered TREMENDOUS damage from the previous seasons action. Paul check tonykellerphotography.com then select client username mkl2008 no pw you should see us on about page 11 in the background and then on 13 and 14 I think. You will see why my rudders pissed me off. My friend were on the bridge but we have yet to find the camera.
cedar tornado classic, sunfish, 1972 morgan 27 optidad
Re: US Sailing funding...?
[Re: walkefmb]
#142505 05/12/0812:33 PM05/12/0812:33 PM