In Key Largo, on the bayside, we have ample opportunity to race and/or cruise. Thus far formal race crew has been limited to the 12 year old (Sam), and weather allows for such diversity of wind that many 'cruising' days actually become informal races against other cats frequently seen on the bay waters. My significant other, GA, loves sailing (owns a 26' Pearson sloop), and thoroughly enjoys the water. I have found many times when she is thrilled with extreme wind and strenous multi-tasking, and as many other times when she prefers, as she puts it, to be just "taken for a sail".
From a personal point of view... when sailing any vessel, whether it be a 110' Schooner in the South Pacific, or a little Hobie 16 here in the Bay, I find myself intense to an extreme, highly competitive, and unwilling to allow any errors in tactics or appearance. This is a personal approach of mine to all sports. As a retired US Freestyle Coach, Slalom/Downhill Racer & Extreme Ski competitor, and one who has sailed the seas as skipper of vessels of various size and description for over 50 years, this is just my way.
Indeed this is not the way of many, and certainly not the way of many women involved in sailing.
So..... as many times as I spend bellowing commands from the helm, and being an overbearing skipper (bordering on being guilty of "spousal abuse"), I spend equally as many sailing days barhopping, lunchbreaking at the various resort beaches, cruising to a deserted bay island for an afternoon swim, encouraging my crew to ride the hulls and hang from the dolphin striker, and so forth.
Bottom line?..... Women as Cat Sailors and Racers are no different from women in any other physical endeavor:
Ask nicely, agree to the response fully and unconditionally, demand nothing, criticize never, compliment often...... and certainly never yell!
These simple guidelines should assure that not only will the fairer sex be found in abundance on your crew lists, but they will find themselves as skippers quite often.
After all is said & done: No man really wants to be an "Island"!

SeaWolf
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