Hi Mary,
Being a 20+ year member of CRAM, I can speak in the club's defense. I feel bad that anyone has come to CRAM and felt the members to be exclusionary. I certainly don't see it. Are the boats these days high tech? Yup. Are they faster? Yup. This doesn't mean that older boats are not welcome or that CRAM would rather only cater to the high tech crowd. We have been trying to get Hobies involved in the club for years - to no avail. We provide great sailing venues, great regatta organization and great parties. All any group needs to do (be that Hobies, A Class, Tornados, etc.) is organize their group and bring them to sail. CRAM will provide separate starts, trophies, etc. How could it be much easier? Now, if you expect me as an F18 sailor to organize the Hobie 16 fleet and get them to come to the regattas, that probably won't happen. I'm interested in my own class like everybody else. It takes someone in the class to organize the class. Division 10 is reorganizing. What better situation than to bring this fledgling group to an established club? The entire Michigan racing scene is there for the asking. Bring your Hobie 16s, 18s, Tigers - heck, even Waves and come race. Get involved in the club. PLEASE INFILTRATE US! Volunteer to do some work. Get to know the folks. You won't regret it.

Roger Cochran
Nacra F18