On the racing verus non-racing thing. For our Fleet, having the racing on a weeknight is a help. Most people with families and other obligations find it hard to regularly give up weekend time. Weekend recreational sailing is going to come when you have the time for it, and sometime kid's soccer games and falling down houses need attention first. We have a few who are not able to do the Frostbite series because that is on the weekends. But, the weekly series things on a week night seems to offer up a way and an excuse for people who are time-stressed on the weekends to get out on the water each week. Almost like being in a bowling or softball league. I can honestly say that my sailing time would be greatly reduced if it weren't for the weekly series we run. It also offers newbies more opportunities to learn from others and reduce the frustration factors. Of course, to make this work you do need to keep the boats rigged. A lot of the folks that are cutting their teeth in our Fleet are starting to attend the region's weekend events as well. In addition, having the boats stored and rigged for the weekly racing means that they are more easily available for weekend noodle sailing. And I think learning about racing helps markedly with boat handling skills, whether they end up racing or cruising sailors in the long-run.<br><br>Keith, Annapolis, Md.
<br>H-18
<br>Northstar 500 (monoslug)
<br>www.wrcra.org