Re: Mainsheet
I was a tech editor for the Cat 25/Capri 25, Cat 250 association.. I was surprised there was not any submissions going on for the Capri 22, especially since the Capri 22 is still made.
I've owned, a Capri 14.2, Capri 22, and a Capri 25, and was members of each association (truth in advertising I am now a member of the S2 7.9 association)... all of the associations had great forums, frankly this is the best forum run of them all (and has the most information). That being said, this is the most disorganized association of them all too. There does not appear to be a driver to create bylaws, race conformity, commodore, vice commodore, treasurer, etc...
I bet money Patrick would LOVE to have a real association form, so that he could be "demoted" to webmaster, and actually be paid (at least enough to make back his investment in server space).
I believe the association dues for the Cat 25 association were like $28 a year, reasonable when you think of what you get (which includes the Mainsheet, which is now I believe strictly an electronic publication)...
If you have the mainsheet from 2014, and 2015, you'll likely see tech articles from myself, and from others that I got to edit. The really cool ones were from a guy who sailed his Capri 25 in the single handed transpac. Super cool sailor.
What drives a great association are strong members, willing to make a difference. Any of you willing to step up and design, implement and restructure the association? Sounds like there is at least a few of you looking to do that. My bet is Patrick has the documents of the original charter for the NA.
By the way, if you re-establish the association, you'd work with Frank Butler and more likely Gerry Douglas, in getting subscriptions to the electronic quarterly of the Mainsheet. Sadly the "Mainsheet" (which is a manufacturers own publication for owners of their boats) is a Unique publication that I do not believe has been replicated in the industry anywhere else. I first became aware of it, when I got my Capri 14.2 Lemme tell you, it was really neat to get details, and stories all related to boats from 12 feet to 42 feet all from the same company. Talk about laying a path in front of you, for upgrades through your 3 footitis.
I've not come back to the Catalina product line... although I've considered it several times, including the Capri 30, the Capri 26, and the Catalina 28. Someday I may consider a Catalina 34 or 36, with my eye on the 320, and 310 as alternatives. Just the past few weeks I've considered a Catalina 275, but when I found out its performance is about the same as a Catalina 27, I thought twice (was hoping for something between a Capri 22, and a J80, on paper you'd think it'd be about as fast as an S2 7.9 or J25, but it isn't).
Anyway... build it, and see who you can get to come.
