2016 SCA President’s Report

Last year it was our thinking that having Rondar as our builder would help reenergize and begin to turn the class around as membership basically stagnated during the previous three years. In 2016 we had 113 active members (+12) a net of about a 10% increase in membership. Given we had 29 members last year who didn’t renew, that’s a win.

These members are coming from new areas. For example, we have a new fleet in Stuart, FL with six new members. Plus growing fleets in Lunenburg, NS and hopefully a soon to be fleet in Lake Sunapee, NH. I’ve also recently heard from RCYC about starting a fleet. The Sonar, as a one design race boat is being discovered and those new fleets are excited to be owners and are growing.

As a comfortable, versatile boat, the Sonar will always be desirable as a club boat. It is also the de facto team race boat in the northeast. As such, there will always be a market for the boat. Still individual ownership is also critical for the health of the class. While the used market for the Sonar remains strong, we need to work on building the market for individual new boats.

Encouraging younger sailors into the class is critical. One way Noroton YC is doing this is through its team race program. New York YC’s purchase of 13 new boats has been key in getting exposure to new people and clubs through their team race events in August… the Morgan Cup, Hinman Masters and Grand Masters.

The Paralympics in Rio was also key in getting exposure and membership as most participating countries joined the class even though it wasn’t a requirement.

One area where we do need improvement is in getting boats to travel. Regatta registrations are down. We anticipated 30 + for the NA, the ACC’s at Noroton only hosted 18 with only 3 travel boats and Nyack had 7 with only one travel. The Canadian Nationals during Chester Race week had 8 boats, making it one of the top one design classes represented there.

And speaking of that… as a reminder, Lunenburg Yacht Club in Nova Scotia, after running a very successful North American Championship in 2014, has been awarded the 2017 Worlds.

2016 seems to have been the beginning of a renewal for the class. Only a baby step but still, it seems to happening. There has been some transitioning of fleets from one geographic area to another but that’s a good thing as these new sonar sailors are also the most energized.

Thank you for your attention, competing at the NA, and helping to make this class an exciting, highly competitive one design racing class.

Bruce McArthur

President