Well, I would also say that swithcing crew would be just as in-appropriate as swithcing from Uni to Sloop. I know crew can get injured, etc. but so can a skipper. What happens if the Skipper is injured? You don't sail. If you are going to truely be a "team", then if your crew is injured, I guess you are out. Do they allow crew swapping in the Olympics or any Nationals?

Otherwise, unless the crew is an identical replacement in every way, (Size, wt. and ability) you have now altered your team. You might have even found a very much better crew to replace your injured new crew, etc. So there you are, spent all that time and money, and now you are sitting on the beach. Time to sell the boat and get a Jet Ski? You see how easily it can start to impact the participation?

Now, here is what I would really like to see. If it is a "Big" regatta, i.e. a Nationals, or a qualifier for a Nationals, no changes allowed, period. Not to crew or sails.

If on the other hand, it is a local type race, or a smaller regatta with no follow on points or qualifications, then by all means, get as many boats on the water as possible, even if it means changing configurations, swapping out crew, etc.

Else, how are we ever going to "grow the sport"? In the end it's supposed to be about having fun, we are not racing in the Olympics. You could even "disqualify" yourself, but race, since we all want to get out on the water and have a good time, right? Isn't that what we are about? I don't race in an Olympic class for a reason...I want to have fun. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />