It seems like cat sailing has grown over the years but still hasn't been able to push into a more mainstream and regularly raced status. Couldn't one of the reasons for this be the many many different types of cats spread out amongst a not as great number of sailors? It seems like every year a bunch of new "revolutionary" cats come out that are suposed to be better and faster but each time they do they divide an already thin fleet. Even though these new boats contribute to the development of cat sailing it seems like the cat racing community is more in need of unity than a slighty more efficient hull design.
Does anyone have any thoughts or comments on this topic?
Yes, I think this has been true especially for the last 3-5 years, however, the fleets are finally starting to settle out.
In Florida, I20, F18, F16, H16, A-Cat and Waves seem to be the classes that have survived and are growing.
Personally, I was always a fan of the SMOD, but it seems formula racing has come to the rescue of catsailing and is getting more boats on the starting line racing together.
The exceptions are the Hobie 16 which is a great option for SMOD and is also a great intro boat. The I20 is the distance and heavy crew boat king and seems to be doing fine. The waves also have a good group.
Seems to me that there is a good selection of fleets that should please just about everyone.
