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Newbie Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 5/11/2009 5:27:23 PM
Posts: 7,
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Quantum sails is closed for business and Melges has suspended C Scow production.
C Scow sailors need to come together this year to keep the class alive. Regatta numbers are down again this year, after a bad year last year. Only 7 boats sailed at Spring Lake.
I have a few suggestions to increase participation at regattas:
1. Every host club should organize housing for off-the-lake sailors, and post this information on their flyer/announcement. This can make the difference between attending or not attending in these hard economic times.
2. Regatta announcements need to go out on an Email distribution list. This needs to be coordinated by the board and officers. We are too passive now, relying on word of mouth or waiting for sailors to look for postings on this site or others.
3. Hosting clubs need to offer some help lining up potential third crewpersons. I've sailed 2 regattas in the past year where my wife and I could not find a local third and had to go out in 20+ MPH winds with just 2 of us. I know, ideally we would bring a potential 3rd, but that is not always possible.
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Newbie Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 5/11/2009 5:27:23 PM
Posts: 7,
Visits: 17
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| I Emailed Melges this morning to check on the rumor. Andy Burdick Emailed back to say that Melges is still making C Scows. I hope they get some orders. We still need to address the decline in regatta participation, so the rest of the comments stand.
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Newbie Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 12/3/2009 11:45:41 AM
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Scott, thanks for bringing up these issues.
I spoke with Melges and they did not discontinue C Production.
We do have an email list that we distribute all the regatta information. It is called C-World, it promotes the regattas as well as updates everyone with the results and what is happening in the NCSSA. If anyone reading this is not on the list, it takes seconds to subscribe. Simply sign up in the right Hand corner of the website underneath the forum section, it's called the Newsletter section.
Regatta participation in the spring has been down and it is something the NCSSA is trying to address. We are expecting a very strong attendance for this years Nationals and it will be a can’t miss event. I have a feeling regatta attendance will improve in the summer and fall. Hope this helped with some of your concerns.
Thanks,
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Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 1/6/2010 9:14:30 AM
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Newbie Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 1/15/2010 6:50:55 PM
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| The one thing that will help the C Fleet more than anything else will be stopping the constant change of the hull. Every ten to fifteen years the national fleet gets to go out and buy a new boat so that they can keep up with the newer boats. Let's hope that the Inland really slaps Melges if they attempt to redefine the class again. Enough is enough. gordy
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Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 12/15/2009 4:40:21 PM
Posts: 14,
Visits: 19
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| I beg to differ Gordy. 1999 - 10 years ago the C fleet decided to change the hull. Before that it was constant change between Melges and Johnson and before that it was even more varied with wood hulls and spars. The C fleet has been one of the most conservative / consistant fleets around. I think the reason why Melges has not seen that many new orders is that the boats are too consistant and a 1999 is just as fast as a 2009. I think one reason we have seen regatta attendance low is that the boat is not as exciting as the M-17 - E or other non scow one designs that attract avid sailor. Not much we can do about that and we sure make up for it with fun.
The WagonAugust Barkow
Past NCSSA President
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Web Person
Group: Administrators
Last Login: 10/27/2009 1:17:11 PM
Posts: 5,
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I agree with Augie... Older boats are just as competitive as the new ones. While there is overlap with other fleets (Melges 17 and E for example), they each have their strength and weaknesses. The C boat is a very tactical machine and requires some brute force to control the sail and hike. The M17 and E's are wicked fast in a nice breeze and require great transitions.
Good suggestion about thirds. And there definitely needs to continue to have better recognition of crew (such as on results, articles, etc), this is especially true of the 3rd crew who are often left out or not recognized for their significant racing contribution, time-off, effort, expense, and general participation.
I am concerned about the sail costs ($1,880 per sail before discounts) and the selection. It seems like the I-1 Gold made the I-1 obsolete and caught some off guard. This can be over whelming to attract new sailors.
Fleets need to work harder to get others at their clubs up to speed and feel more inclusive. This attitude should be passed along to other clubs.
In the C fleet, there are a lot of regattas (and many that conflict with other C regattas and other fleet regattas). What about clubs that aren’t doing their share to contribute to regatta participation (outside of their own)?
Keep prices down by: having housing available, minimize regatta fees, clinics to help attract sailors (or other collaboration and sharing to help draw people – perhaps even trying other known fast boats), maybe even have trophies for the top non-professionals (but of course, we still want the pros to show up - they are "fun to beat"!  ), keep the social packages affordable (I personally am there to race, learn, improve - although I respect those that want a good party), double-deck trailers and load up one vehicle (more friendly that way too), etc.
And we need to wait out this economy. It is tough out there and while we see signs of improvement, it will take patience. Sailing is expensive and optional. That goes double for regattas.
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