I'm doing some brainstorming on several aspects Formula 16 events. One question that I can never answer by myself is :
What do sailors consider a normal participation fee for say a Regional championship (Nationals, Continentals, Worlds)
Participation fee is defined as that amount of money payed while registering and which buys you a start permit for an 2 to 3 day event consisting of 5 to 10 races with an overall participation of 10 or more boats. It covers boat storage, basic facilities like bathrooms/showers, lunch and everything involved with the actual racing/courses.
It excludes, lodging, breakfast / dinner, special party tent, travel to teh event etc
Is that :
This poll will close at 7 januari 2003
Wouter
I would have said €40 or €50 if you had not included lunch.
A few years ago we were involved in organising the Irish Catamaran Nationals and, including lunch was what pushed up the entry fee. I have voted €75.
Happy Christmas everyone.
On the other hand I found that trying to do 10 races in 2 and a halve days while letting the crews take care of their own soup and bread didn't work either.
With a prepared lunch it is easier to stack 4 races a day in; quite a necessacity when aiming for 10 races at the end of the event.
But I guess you are right; that lunch does add alot more costs.
Thanks for the comment.
Wouter
These are the fees for the Australian Taipan Championships, in Aus$ of course. This is a seven day event.
Taipan Association Australian Championships: Fees include welcome barbeque, presentation night and shirts for skipper and crews.
Taipan 5.7 $230.00
Taipan 4.9 sloop. $230.00
Taipan 4.9 cat $190.00
Rob.
When you have a good many participants (i.e., the Tradewinds Midwinter Open Cat Nationals - 109 boats) things get hectic, but base costs are more easily covered and we have been able to put the regatta on for as little as $30, give T-shirts to each participant (not just one per boat), offer beer and still not lose money.
On the other hand, a small turnout will require much higher entry fees. For smaller regattas, however, the only hope to keep the costs down are a lot of volunteers and local sponsorship help.
It was two years ago when an A-Cat sailor wrote me asking why the NAs was $145, and the Tradewinds was only $30. Same venue, same water.., what was the difference?
The A-Class NA's had only about 15-20 boats, had a welcome party, a dinner party, shirts, lots of food and drinks, etc.
The Tradewinds, on the other hand, had races, t-shirts for all sailors, and beer. That was it. and there were nearly 200 sailors.
It is simple economics.
Good luck in your questionnaire!
Rick
Rick -
Until I started getting involved with the admin side of regattas, I had no idea what went into it - I've come to learn that your points about smaller fleets and higher fees are very true. Folks who assail me with the same questions as your A-catter usually get an invitation to help out in lieu of a lengthy response. The material things - shirts and parties - start adding up quick. We try to only offer those for the larger events, or for three to five one-day series races where the $10 per race entry can add up a little.
I'm amazed at what you're able to do with Tradewinds for only $30 - nothing like that up here! Keep it up, cap'n!
John