Hi Keith

Yeah... we probably won't agree on this issue. One point and one comment to conclude.
you wrote
A lot of the monos/power boats in marinas don't have much for accomodations. Some are trailerable and are in a slip for convenience sake. There's lots of expensive stuff, but there's lots of stuff that ain't much more than a daysailor. My boat fits that bill - it has accomodations, but it's only really usefull comfortably as a daysailor. I've seen dinghies on racks on beachs, and one of my crew races Flying Scotts out of a lot that offers a porta-pottie for amenities (they have a pretty consistent turnout, families too). PWCs launching from Sandy Point, not self-contained.

My point is that these day sailors will leave the dock and go some where.... Cats are on and off the beach and are used like windsurfers and PWC. I feel that the Beach /Club venue is critical to enjoying the catamaran way of sailing.

You also wrote:
if I look at a beach cat that can't provide a family experience in the sport of sailing, and it costs just as much as a something else that will, I won't spend the money on the cat first. And I love sailing cats. But I'd rather be on the Bay with my family onboard, not having them sitting at the clubhouse wondering when Dad is coming in

I certainly understand your point about the family and everyone has a budget for their toys. One point that you might consider though. I have watched lots of boating families at Podickery over the years. The families with small kids.... simply lug the kids around on the boat. As the kids get bigger... they get a bigger boat. But as the kids get independent... they seem to hate going out on the boat..they fight to stay at the pool with their friends. The are easily bored and boating is nothing special. On the other hand, I have seen other families keep the kids interested by getting them on boats, windsufers, small cats that are age appropriate and theirs! . Mike Fahle has written on occasion that more little boats are far superior to larger and larger boats for the whole family. The OCRA Club seems to be balancing racing and social activities along with joining yacht clubs quite succesfully.

Take Care
Mark