One idea on how to build your fleet.
When you cant sail your boat find someone to lend it to who can.
You get a new sailor to try your class and you avoid having one less boat on the start line.
#2
Post results where sailors will see them.
This is the easiest way to let people know that your class is active.
If I'm looking to get into a new boat I wan't to know what classes are active in my area, how big are the fleets, where are people racing, what is the schedule like ..ect ..ect?
I can get all this info if I can find recent results.
Excellent idea.
That is, listing ways of building a fleet.
We do race officer duty on a rotational basis at my club and I always try to find someone to sail my boat when it is my turn to do starts and finishes.
Many others in my club also do the same. It has been working well at getting new people into the sport.
Top idea, and it works.
Some class building ideas that I have checked out:
From the Nacra 6.0NAs in New England-
1-Chose an existing class that has numbers, although is a little long in the tooth. Take the older design and upgrade it. The N6.0 NA New England guys chose a specific chute and snuffer system and added it as a class. They have lots of older boats to chose from at better prices than new.
2-Work hard to be included in existing events.
3-Be active in "pushing" the class in the forums and media.
4-Secure an anchor person (Rick Bliss).
5-Be active in high profile events, like the NE100 and Tybee 500
From the F-18HTs:
1-Work hard to be included in existing events .
2-Start a class circuit and make it easier for members to participate (ie class multi-boat trailers).
3-Maintain an active website and inform potential members of the classes activites
4-Find ways to keep the cost of ownership as low as possible.
5-If possible, get top sailors into the class. These sailors are a wealth of knowledge for the class as a whole.
6-Recruit members from other sailing classes (ie 49ers/dinghys, Melges 24/Sport boats), and groups (collegate sailors for example)
7-Expose the boat to the media and public by having the boat featured in print and in boat shows, as a class.
8-Make it fun!
Things to avoid:
1-Knocking other classes
2-Trying to make class rules too complicated
3-Attempting to include or fit too many designs into a class
These are a few ideas that seem to be working for these two classes.
Michael
Michael,
While attracting sailors from other classes may seem attractive it is my view that it is better for the sport if the focus is on people that don't or haven't sailed.
For this to be successful you need a group of sailors that put the interests of the class or fleet, and in particular the newcomer, ahead of their own.
The only way to get this is to lead by example and hope the others follow. Someone that hasn't sailed before will be far more comfortable if the rest of the group takes a real interest in the challenges they are facing in coming to terms with the sport. They will in turn do the same for the next newcomer. It's all about trying to build a sense of community within the group so others want to become a part of it.
It's more a social thing than a sailing thing.
Just the way I see it.
Well, this is our little idea to develop interest at all levels, especially at the grass roots entry level. The attachment says it all -- a free regatta, no division points so experienced racers had an incentive to participate as crew on their own boat, a fun environment for all. The response from participants and sponsors has been tremendous.
I don't see the attachment, but I am thinking this is the Treesmacker UnRegatta taking place this weekend in the Sierra.
I'll be there, with one non-sailor and one non-racer, to show some folks what this stuf is all about.
Now, if you could only make some vegetarian gumbo........
HMMMMM, vegetarian gumbo? I think they would call it soup!!!