Yes, still a stranger here, but after posting a few and reading every comment, it feels like I've gotten to know a few new friends. One post was long, really going somewhere, and then ended saying this thread 'wasn't helping'. I could not disagree more. It is arguable that everyone operates on some level of self interest, even if their proceedings seem selfless. This thread showed diversity of opinion in the extreme. I've had my understanding of the catamaran community vastly expanded just for the reading. Let me say that it is my opinion that most in the Hobie class feel an openness to the greater variety of catamaran sailors, though in the realm of racing, it is difficult to make that assertion stick because of the HCA ODP. Yet, I currently spend all of my training and recreational sailing time amongst non-hobie sailors, as well as kiters and wind-surfers. Doesn't seem to be any problem there! I believe we need a little more acceptance of realities and differences.

On another note, it can be said that cat sailing has had dramatic declines, but it is clear that the decline in all of sailboat racing in particular here in the US has declined to an even greater degree. On the One-Design scene, the H-16 is the envy of the Yacht Clubs here in the west. Some are stuck in their jealousy, and others are embracing us for the first time, and we're finding new venues and opportunities. I raced three weeks ago in a Hobie Points Regatta at Long Beach by Alamitos Bay Yacht Club among Thistles, F18's, Finns, as well as 3 other dinghy classes. All thanks to the last revision to the HCA One-Design Policy that Chris Wessels and Bob Merrick brought on. Our H-16 fleet boasted 14 boats. Yes, one of the largest OD classes. The best part, as a result of the ABYC experience, there was a new H-16 racer from Long Beach who came to the San Diego Classic and is on fire. We're all doing our best I guess. It's great to get some results once in a while too.

and now they wont let the WAVES sail in the race to cuba. Maybe I will enter the TYBEE next year and see

I double dog dare you...

..Triple dog dare ya!

ah, yes. The double dog dare....

We were accepted into the Delta Ditch run this year as our own fleet. F-18 was the second largest "one design" fleet. Our own scoring . Thanks to Richmond Yacht club, Stockton Sailing club and The Ditch Run Orginizers.
Maybe here on the left coast the mono guys are accepting us , but we do have sailors involved in some of the yacht clubs.

On the right coast, the Yacht clubs have welcomed us as well, its only Hobie that does not accept us. I dont mean to slam anyone with that statement, nor am I trying to rehash the whole bad blood thing, but as I read your post about monohulls and being accepted, it donged on me where the acceptance and denial fell.
Most of us have joined Yacht Clubs and brought that Catamaran enthusiasm which breathed new life into the whole club. The monohullers are not only tolerant, but appreciative that we have come to help them with thier regatta's and brought new regatta's to their club. There are still some monohull purists out there, but we are winning them over slowly but surely.

"Triple dog's" go first.

Gordo, Great post! Thanks for chiming in, and for your service to the sailing community.

Hey Thanks Dave. There hadn't been a negative Hobie comment in a few pages, but thanks for hitting us again. I was starting to get a good feeling about things again, but it passed as soon as I read your post.

the truth hurts my brother, sorry for being honest.

Allready got 3 Tybees notched. Next.

Dave, how true and all the best to any class that has realized, and is pursuing, this avenue...it's working in middle america as well.

IMO, the Hobie 16 Class Association of North America may some day morph into the Hobie 16 & Wildcat CANA, but that will do little more than provide more events for Wildcat teams to race. The F18 class will never be brought "into the fold".

resistance is futile - you will be assimilated.


Gosh o'modey...it's Friday.

Wow! I guess racing is racing in whatever form you choose. Be it cars, motorcycles, ect. I engage in activities that use vehicles ie H16, windsurfers, motorcyles but avoid racing for ALL OF THE ABOVE posts. It always seems that racers just want to bicker instead of have fun. I understand racers need to race and how acute it is.....but dang it sure gets in the way of a good time. Now if you will excuse me, Im gonna go have some fun on my boat. Im gonna try trolling for fish while sailing wish me luck. Sometimes ya got to go slow to catch the fish.

I've done that. My son and I casted for Crappie between races at Big Marine Lake in Mn a few years back.

Tx246:

Racing will make you a better sailor. You have to learn to get form point A to B, not just reach out and reach in like most recreational sailors do. Not that you don't know how to sail.

Doug

Racing doesn't make you a better sailor, it makes you more aware of the rules. Racing points out what you may do wrong but I can't see why you think it makes you a better sailor. Training and experience make you a better sailor. Turning cans is all about ego, who can do it faster. Thats all any kind of racing is about, whos faster. I race mtn bikes downhill and dual slalom and I can assure that the best, most technical racers rarely win. Its the ones that let it all hang out that can go the fastest, usually out of control.

The best days on a cat have nothing to do with racing!

"Racing doesn't make you a better sailor..." Disagree. Racing sharpens the skills that make recreational sailing more pleasurable.

What? don't you point, reach, tack and jibe when sailing recreationally? Other than rounding a static mark what exactly do you learn while racing that can't be learned otherwise? Racing requires a special knowledge that has no application in recreational sailing. Sure, you need to know the basic rules of the water to sail anywhere, but you don't need to know rounding rights, overlap, windward/leeward to enjoy sailing a catamaran.