Surf City Catamarans wrote:
Devils Advocate:
As a Hobie sailor, Matt, What does US sailing do for me?
I think a lot (most) Hobie sailors don't even know what US sailing does or is.
You're right Jeremy, I had to look in a Hobie Hotline for the US Sailing advertisement, I don't now what reminded me that it's in every issue, I read it once and have ignored it since.
So, I pulled out an issue and here's what you get listed in order(BTW, Individual membership is $40...hmm, more than my HCANA membership)
A
$10 discount on annual membership dues (what a minute...is that next year? Or, is it like the check we'll get from the IRS?)
Discounted entry at every regatta that is hosted by a member or club organization that uses the USSA insurance program. (reminds me of the middle aged guy and his teenage daughter that showed up to race his old Hobie 16, he proudly whips out his USSA card at the registration table and asked for his discount...sorry, no discount available at the Hobie sanctioned events)
A $20
West Marine coupon with each renewal. (so...when I renew next year that's when I get my coupon, wow it's like money in the bank. Too bad West Marine stores are like Wal-Mart to boat shops and a contributor to many Hobie dealerships closing. BTW, there isn't a West Marine within 3 hours of where I live.)
A free
Racing Rules of Sailing book. (Ahhh...it's free!!! Wait, it cost $40. I purchase Dave Perry's "Understanding Racing Rules of Sailing", think I paid $25)
Eligibility for USSA's outstanding
one-design insurance for Hobie Cat-manufactured catamarans. (someone enlighten me, last time I went through this I was frustrated because, although US Sailing has a website jam packed with a myriad of information, it has to be THE most difficult website in the world to navigate. Use the "search" function and you get kicked into google...nice. Anyway, isn't the only "Hobie" under the program the 16? When I tried to double check this again just now I got kicked into an insurance company website and quit trying. Never once did I see the covered OD boats listed anywhere. I did see talk of a racing deductible? Come on, my agent knows that's all I do with our 20 is race, of all the perils, of all my racing goodies and writes my policy, with a smile, every year for $100.)
Member discounts on USSA gear, clothing and accessories. (polo shirt or blazer? decisions, decisions)
Why doesn't the Hobie calss association up our dues 5 or 10 bucks and throw it over to USSA. I'm sure our trusted servants know how to communicate with these people and can keep them informed of our needs.
I see no advantage for a weekend warrior Hobie racer to be a member. So at that point it becomes more like a charitable contribution decision for me, will it give me peace of mind?
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