[quote=texastuma]Very good conversations... I agree that it is the sailors that build the fleet, not the manufacturers or dealers. If we rely on the dealer to support the class, their support will disappear as soon as the next model comes out. These events/races need to have a big social aspect as well as the racing part. Not a lot of people race with their spouse, so.... usually a spouse and/or kids are left at the beach while the other is on the water. We used to have a huge gathering of people at the Dike while we were out racing. I think they hosted their own beach party while we raced. Which is fantastic. Each group needs that person (or people) who jumps in and starts organizing things. That is how these things stay alive. I remember when we made the decision to shut down MSA. There was only a couple that was running things and they got burned out. When you see a class or fleet build and thrive, it is usually from one or two people who are "pushing the rope". Or, when you see a fleet die out, it is from when the driving force leaves. It definitely follows the theory that 20% do 80% of the work. We spent decades doing this for the multihull fleet in Galveston Bay. Making calls each week to make deals on getting people out on the water. It wears people out. But, if the event is enjoyable for everyone, many people are willing to help out. There is a big social aspect of these boats. Hang on the beach, go sailing, chat with friends, repeat... There is a big increase of people buying the $500 - $1,500 catamaran and using what they have. I am in full support in that. If you have a P-18 and are interested in a spinnaker also, stick one on it. Will it be as fast as a F-16, probably not, but you will be within your budget and you won't freak out when you scratch the hulls. And, you will have more options of racing or sailing. I get the cheap boat thing. I have one boat that I have assembled out of spare parts. I think we need to continue having social gatherings, not necessarily to just race. The ones who want to race will group themselves together. The problem with the new boats coming out is it divides an already divided fleet. In our area, the majority of boats racing are non-spinnaker older boats. When you add a few spinnaker boats, now they need to be in their own class. Add a couple of foilers, now another class. What happens when there aren't enough for a class? They will usually get rolled into another class. Many spinnaker and foiling boats are more prepared for racing than non-spinnaker boats. Like many of us, I grew up with 100-120 boats on a race weekend and have watched the decline. As boat technology changes and improves, the ones who are left behind, are just that... left behind. That is the problem with any box-rule class. I'm all about innovation and improvement, but with the reality that it takes money. I think we need to build fleets from the bottom up. We need the new people buying cheap boats to learn and get excited and maybe upgrading to a faster race boat, or they stick with what they have and continue to enjoy life. But, we need to go a bit old school on race courses to entice them. We need the triangle with a reach leg. Many non-spinnaker boats get bored sailing downwind. There are tactics and much can be won or lost, but many of these racers are more excited about a screaming reach. I have been proposing to go back to a triangle windward/leeward course (A-B-C-A-C). Make the reach (B mark) 90 degree from the beat. Now insert 18-20 knots of wind... instant grins... Some of the biggest challenges (and wipeouts) was making the turn at B mark. I understand the spinnaker guys don't care about reach legs.. That's fine.. give them a double windward/leeward (A-C-A-C) course. I have heard a lot when I propose this of "... other people are not doing it." I'm used to building courses that no one else has ever done. If we only follow, nothing will progress.[/quote]
