Dinghy multihulls: How to move forward with youth cats

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How to move forward with youth cats

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: Multihulls
Forum Name: Dinghy multihulls
Forum Discription: For those who prefer two (or more) hulls to one!
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3491
Printed Date: 28 Jun 25 at 5:43pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: How to move forward with youth cats

Posted By: Worthy
Subject: How to move forward with youth cats
Date Posted: 16 Oct 07 at 6:34pm

This thread is a follow-on from my recent post on the main discussion thread which was as follows:

Originally posted by Worthy

Originally posted by Sailor Pete

By comparison, have a look at the Topper class for example http://www.gbrtopper.co.uk/ - http://www.gbrtopper.co.uk/ under "Training" and see what they're doing - there's load of class training as well as RYA stuff. It's a similar picture for Mirror, Cadet, Optimist, Feva, 420, 29er and all the Lasers.

Thanks for this, I agree that the Topper class (and I am sure the other examples you have given) have large structured training programmes, and I for one would love that to be the case for cats so we have to work out how to get there.

I feel that it is currently a viscious circle we (cats) are currently in.

Let's for a moment take a hypothetical situation where the H16 fleet youth fleet is 50 boats. In this case there would be a much larger number of parents available who would be willing to help put on training sessions and there would therefore be more of them - possibly more in line with Toppers. There would also be more drive for youngsters to join the class and there would be no problems, with or without RYA support.

However, as we all recognise, this is not the case. The BHCCA is currently run by sailors parents, and as many have recognised the number of sailors has fallen over the last few years (I'm not getting into disputes over reasons why here) and so there are very few running it. Frankly, these few are busting a gut to run the current training schedule.

The problem how I see it is to get out of the viscious circle of being small because we get few new people and we get few new people because we are small. And the only way I can see out of this is with support.

We need to get to my hypothetical situation above and I am open to ideas.

I have set this thread up so we can have a constructive discussion about possible ways of moving forward and getting more interest in the youth cat scene.

The mood for discussion is "we are where we are so lets not dwell on it or the past, lets look for a way forward" so constructive comments only please.

Input is welcome from all, whether a cat sailor or not.

Replies:

Posted By: Jon Emmett
Date Posted: 16 Oct 07 at 6:49pm

think the key thing is to locate clubs which are suitable for Cats and approach them.

(Lasers can launch anywhere, hence they have fleets everywhere!)

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http://www.amazon.co.uk/Be-Your-Own-Tactics-Coach/dp/0470973218/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1312565831&sr=8-1 -

Posted By: gary145
Date Posted: 16 Oct 07 at 7:13pm

Lets not worry about any scheme or plan being small.

Small can mean attention to detail,quality and ease of arranging! if it works it will expand.

how about encouraging each Cat class to expand any incentives they have for Youth sailors.

Youth prize for their travellers series, lend boats with builders help,or have one open a year where you have to have a youth on board maybe?

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Posted By: Stuart O
Date Posted: 16 Oct 07 at 7:29pm

Worthy

Always as Im sure you are in agreement is to go forward with the manufacturers but not to be led by them... a very difficult line to walk. One doesn't want to be seen as in the pocket of one manufacturer or another, pushing only their product is as bad as not pushing any product.

The BHCCA is an example of where manufacturers have got together ie hobie and topper will both be present and for those lucky enough to attend they can have a good look at each product.

Posted By: Chew my RS
Date Posted: 16 Oct 07 at 7:30pm

One of the main things in my opinion is to find a decent youth cat. There are loads suitable for kids to crew, but not many they can helm in all weathers.

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http://www.sailns14.org - http://www.sailns14.org - The ultimate family raceboat now available in the UK

Posted By: PeterV
Date Posted: 16 Oct 07 at 8:13pm

What, like bringing back the Swift?

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PeterV
Finn K197, Finn GBR564, GK29
Warsash

Posted By: Chew my RS
Date Posted: 16 Oct 07 at 8:30pm

I was thinking something a little more modern...

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http://www.sailns14.org - http://www.sailns14.org - The ultimate family raceboat now available in the UK

Posted By: Worthy
Date Posted: 16 Oct 07 at 8:40pm

We need to remember that it is ISAF who pick the youth cat. Currently the youth boats for youth worlds are:

2007: Hobie 16 + Spi
2008: SL16
2009: Hobie 16 + Spi

There are two issues here.

1 - Is the Hobie 16 or the SL16 the correct / best boat?
2 - There needs to be consistency year on year otherwise no-one will buy a boat costing £8k+ (Hobie 16 + Spi)

So in my view a decision on a boat needs to be made asap and it needs to be kept unlike the move back to the H16 in the list above. Unfortunately we can discuss this untill we are blue in the face unless we can influence ISAF. Can the RYA help here?

Posted By: GarethT
Date Posted: 17 Oct 07 at 10:08am

I think you would achieve more success taking the cats to the kids, rather than trying to get the kids to go to the cats.

There were 300 potential cat sailors at the Oppie End of Seasons at WPNSA this weekend.

If the cat community engaged with the oppie class association, and looked to take some demo boats to a big Oppie event, you would have a captive audience.

Posted By: catmandoo
Date Posted: 17 Oct 07 at 11:58am

How about running cat open days at clubs with fleets - not just for juniors either

run two or three over a season and may stir up interest,

try a UK wide approach on same day across country (like the musto skiffs did with their training )

Not suggesting this will fill uk with cat sailors or address training , but would open folks eyes up and worthwile to do in conjunction with all other ideas

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Posted By: Graeme
Date Posted: 01 Nov 07 at 2:31pm

Well said catmandoo, this is as much about letting all mono-hull sailors understand how good cat sailing can be........break down some of the one hull good, two hulls bad mentality.