It is apparent that NAHCA, Performance, MHC of US Sailing, CABB, OCRA, MASF, LEPHRF, CRAM, CRAW, MSA, SHBCC, etal have no interest in taking on the burden of a national umbrella organization.
And there obviously is a need to have someone step forward and be the overall organization to better draw together all the factions we have out there -- be it class, area, club, org, fleet, etal.
At the Key Largo Steeplechase this past weekend, Jill Nickerson presented at the awards a petition signed by nearly everyone in sight citing that we need such an organization and that Nigel Pitt should head it up. (This as a result of his being ousted from NAHCA as Commodore because of his views on being an all inclusive organization).
At this point Nigel is declining the position. And the point is that it does not have to be Nigel. Probably shouldn't be because it would immediately tick off the NAHCA folks and immediately alienate them from the umbrella organization.
When Mary Wells and I began sailing NAMSA was already in existance and under the rule of Dick Blanchard. It was truly a national umbrella organization that had an annual National Championship. It was great to see so many variations of cats and tris in one spot (by the way, this was in the pre-Hobie era).
Now, we are a nation of multihulls divided. Divided by class, area, weight, or whatever else. It is time to unite all of the classes, all of the fleets, all of the clubs, all of the organizations so they all aid and help each other to create bigger, better, more fun regattas and events.
We, at Catamaran Sailor Magazine will do anything and everything we can to help this movement.
Thanks for your participation,
Rick
PS: Pleae read the article written by Mary Wells a few years ago. Click on http://www.catsailor.com/NAMSA.html
Rick and Mary-
Really appreciate all you have done for cat sailing. I remember the old NAMSA days too.
I was thinking, perhaps you and Mary could simply sort of "become" the "voice (and publication)" of NAMSA?
That is, just start charging $20, 15 (or whatever you all think is appropriate) a year for NAMSA dues AND as part of your dues you get a subscription to Catamaran Sailor (and you could include other "goodies" even- Discounts to your seminars, etc. perhaps?).
Just a thought-
Kirt
You cant just "become" an organization and start charging dues. You have to do something, and that's the part that takes work.
It looks to me that the main focus of this organization would be to organize regattas so that the Hobie sailors don't have to cary the burden of running all of them.
Excuse me, I have started, resurrected, and begun several catamaran fleets myself so I am well aware of what is involved. However Rick and Mary have already incorporated NAMSA, they are already publishing a magazine, already have a website, already are involved in organizing/assisting in many regattas so I was HINTING they might like to basically do this same amount of work BUT under the "name" of NAMSA and then they could get some other volunteers to assist them as officers of NAMSA, etc.
NAMSA could take over a lot with the "class" organizations all covered within NAMSA so "Hobie regattas" could simply become "NAMSA regattas" at which the Hobie X, Y, and Z classes will participate as one designs, etc. if they wanted to.
Have a great day!
Kirt