Thanks, you are correct. The effect of donating one cat is negligible and adequate sailing schools are the best investment to foster sailing, hands down.

I just see more sinergy and results arising from the association of the AC45 circuit with school kids racing cats, than with making AC management somehow invest in sailing schools.

I guess you'll agree that donating one cat after 48 kids from 24 schools raced in that class in front of their parents and colleagues during an AC event is not the same as a simple donation. My take is that it would significantly increase the possibility that more boats are sold the same day and while the AC circus remains in town.

Suppose you are one of the kids who won the right to represent your school, just raced a cool cat that looks like an AC45, watched the AC45 race, the other school got one of those cats, dad will not buy an AC45, but could probably spare $3.000 so you can race against the guys from the other school. Will you want one? If there are a few F12 kits available right there, ready to take cartop home, would you try to get one on spot?

It is like allowing kids to race karts before an Indy race and then offer the karts for sale. It's actually better: it is the AC45 circuit, they don't race every second weekend like Indy, dad just cannot postpone to the other weekend...

This is all guesswork, obviously, but it is easy enough to ask a professional dealer what he thinks of the concept and if it could work for the cats he sells. If he gives a thumbs up, allow him to organize a preliminary race with his choice of cat and then offer the boats for sale during the AC45 event. If it works with adults from clubs buying expensive cats, it will work even better with school kids parents buying affordable cats - and it will certainly project a better image: not just using the event to sell boats, but to promote an eco-friendly sport among school kids.

Critics, comments and suggestions are welcome. Let's improve the proposal.