I'm just curious to see how many of us race on a regular basis. How many race their onw boats. How many of us crew on somebody elses boat. And how many would like to race as crew every now and then.

I'll go first ...

My MacGregor is a pocket cruiser. A Winnebago on water. It doesn't race. (Soon to be replaced with a Beneteau 352)

I crew on a Pearson Flyer, a vintage fractional rigged sloop. It was Pearson's attempt to create a one-design racing fleet in the early `80's that didn't catch on. SnakeBite lives at SSYC and we race on Wednesday evenings and the Milwaukee Bay regatta schedule. We also do Queen's Cup and the Port Washington regatta that follows a SSYC Friday night race to Port Washington . We may be looking for weekend crew and may have openings for Queen's Cup.

SnakeBite's crew & families also do Louis's Last Blast aboard one of our non-racing cruisers.

How about the rest of you?

I've never really participated in a race. Having never done it, loath to try and race my own boat. And where would the crew come from? No, I think the biggest hurdle for me and racing, is that it is (and has been) easier for me to go sailing on my own boat without having to worry, or take the time to figire out how I can weasel my way onto someone's boat. This last year or two, I finally figured out I'm missing out on meeting, and learning, some cool people (hopefully) and some sailing experience that I may otherwise not attain. Hence, my hope that someone in need of a dedicated 'crewman' (hint-hint, everybody) will PM me with a message saying "Come aboard!"

Wayne almost got me on a Mumm-36 last year out of SSYC, but the race was rained out. Really love the lines of that vessal, wouldn't mind getting one myself one of these days. Wayne, if you read this, I'd still love to sail on that vessal!

SSYC, in conjunction with MYC, sponsors a Crew Search every spring. It happens in April and normally takes place at SSYC. It's purpose is to marry up sailors like you with skippers in need of crew. I learned to sail here in Madison (UW sailing club) but really "learned" to sail on the big lake after hooking up with SnakeBite after Crew Search 2007. My skipper winters in CA and is due back tomorrow. I'll see where we are with crew strength. Why don't you call SSYC and tell the office gal that you missed crew search and wanted to know if you can get on the "crew looking for a boat" list. Most likely she will put you in touch with the event organizer.

I occasionally raced over the last two years. I've done a couple Wednesday night races on various boats, a couple of the south shore regattas, a number of MAST races and a couple Queen's Cup races.

I like the MAST races in that they are pretty relaxed, but I hate that they are on Friday nights. I'm not real sure if I'll race my boat this year. It depends on how much I can get done on her. The sails are good for it, but the rig needs work all around.

Gary, your boat is perfect for racing especially in those all too common light air races. You should be all over it! I'd be willing to bet if you signed up for the MAST races you could find crew. I'd do a few with you. I can't do every Friday night as the wife would kill me. Racing really forces you to pay attention to sail tuning and the particular strengths and weaknesses of your boat. The starts can be hairy, but you can hang back and stay out of the mess if you want to avoid the stress.