Exactly, even moreso because they charge you $60 for the priveledge...

The first question to be answered is, What are they doing for me and my $60?

Junior programs? I'm not a junior and most are run by clubs, and they charge you.

Olympics? I'm not going.

Hold clinics? Are they free? No, you have to pay.

A free rule book. I can get it online at Amazon for $10.

I went to the US Sailling Center in Marting Co. Fl., told them I was a US Sailing member, I would like to borrow a Hobie 16. They looked at me like I was from Mars. There was NO WAY they were going to let me out on one of their boats, member or not, so what's the point? The funny part? I'll bet some of my dues money went to a "grant" to help build that club. They are really good at turing people away.

I went to a RYA club in Hove, England. Walked in the front door, didn't know a soul and not a memeber. I told them I would like to rent a boat right now. They said, "Sure, it's $20" (pounds actually, more in dollars). They said, "Here's a wetsuit, there's the locker room, and there is a class going on now if you want to jump in." I had a great 4 hours sailing and then they bought me beer at their bar when we finished.

Do you see a difference in attitude here? Any wonder why the Brits do so well at sailing? They encourage new people to join in, no big checks to write, no club membership required, while US Sailing discourages it unless you first join a Club...for hundreds -or thousands- of dollars.

Now they want to make it mandatory, yeah, that'll work.