Awards. I tend to agree with Bob. I kinda like the engraved plaques. I haven't won enough to start patching my roof with them, but I would vary the design a bit. Dan mentioned the IYC's boat photo awards. Those were really nice, but I imagine they're more expensive and, for much larger SSS races, they'd be more work to produce. Maybe as season series winners' keepers or for more significant race awards-- Transpac, LongPac, Farallones?
As others have mentioned, unless the SSS is in financial troubles I'd be wary of increasing the DH fees, over SH fees, as a means of trying to encourage singlehanded participation. My guess is, that would simply reduce DH entries and, thus, overall participation. I love racing singlehanded but I am considering doing a season of DH with my 13-year old son or a friend who really wants to get into racing. Either way, I bring someone new into the sport but the added fees, while not onerous, would be annoying.
I like the proposal of a new race, a 1-2 like Vallejo or whatever, to the South Bay. I never sail down there, so it would expand my horizons (so to speak) and might draw more folks from the South Bay into the other races. Though I appreciate Dan's concern that the race down could be a reach-parade. A three-day race?! Cool. I'd definitely do it. But what a race committee burden. Drake's Bay? The OYRA already does that and offers a short-handed class. Why poach theirs?
Lee
Sailfish