Racing Clubs and the health of catamaran sailing.
Keith raised the issue that the focus on racing limits the appeal of catamaran sailing.
I just wanted to make a couple of points. Historically yacht clubs have defined their central mission as one of sponsoring racing and the social scene defined by the restaruant and bar were secondary. Gary Jobson has recently chastised many clubs for undercutting their core mission and simply managing a restaruant with a great water view.
I don't know of any catamaran clubs that are open to the public and purely social. If they exist... please let me know how this works. I personaly have no interst in joining a social catamaran club.
Personally, I will not waste ANY of my time in organizing a social event for the public. There is no juice in this one for me ... I certainly organize a social sailing party for my family and friends but this kind of activity does not require any coordination with club members.
On the Chesapeake, I belong to Podickery Point Yacht Club, the facilities are the best I have ever run across however there is no club.... It is actually a marina and the catsailors come and use their boats on their own schedule and without the need of any other catsailor on the premise. Recreational sailing does not require any organization or community or commitment to any other human being other then yourself. In contrast, The West River Catamaran Racing Association that Keith runs has nothing more then a lot with water access, a discrete tree and a well hidden port a pot for the ladies. They get 10 to 20 sailors who go racing on Tuesday's from April to November. Racing requires an organization, rules and commitments from sailors and so naturally clubs are essential to make this happen. Not so for the social scene.
I would be very interested in how Sandy Hook CC addresses the balance between racing, serving as a social club and serving as a marina for catamarans. I belive at last count they had over 200 boats with mast up storage on the water of Sandy Hook Bay.
Take Care
Mark
