Mark,
Isn't one of the problems of getting people to register and pay in advance that a lot of people wait to see what the weather is going to be? If there is going to be no air or light air or too much air. If it is going to be raining or if it is going to be snowing.

That was not the case back in the 1980's when people had no idea what the weather was going to be at the regatta site two or three hours away. You went and took whatever you got.

But nowadays people can get very accurate forecasts for the regatta venue, no matter where it is, and so they wait until a day or two before the event to make their decision about attending.

It's too bad, because that is one of the good things about sailing -- learning to play with the cards you're dealt. When you know some of the cards ahead of time, it's easy to fold before you even come to the table.