That's all well and good, I like to play by the rules, else it's not really a game, is it? But here's the problem we run into quite often:

You are at some local club event, your crew for day 1 can't make day 2, not injured, but for what ever reason, doesn't want to go out. You have options, you can grab some guy in the parking lot who broke his boat on day 1 and isn't going to sail day 2, or something like that. Or on the F16, you have the option of sailing Uni if your crew bails or is hurt and you can't find another. But now you are all saying you might as well pack up and go home because you are now breaking rules,and some will even call you a cheater. At a local event! As if winning some peice of plastic is worth that.

Dave, you recall at Wild Cat a few weeks ago, I was sailing Uni, there was a little boy who wanted to crew for someone. You asked me if I could take him. And I replied that I didn't have my jib stuff and my second traps rigged up, which I didn't, but let's say I did. Let's say I did take him, and I'll tell you, if I had the extra stuff rigged, or if I'd had enough time to flip the boat and add the extra stuff, I would have, and I did consider it but time was running out to make the start, and it was blowing, and I didn't know this kid or more importantly, his parrents, his skill level, etc. So I was a bit leary...

But for our discussion, let's say I took him out, Sloop rigged. So as is usual on a windy day with five 3 lap races, this kid is worn out and doesn't want to sail day 2. He's not injured mind you, but maybe I scared the crap out of him when I sent him flying around the forestay.

Now what?

Now I'm screwed. I can't swap crew, and I can't sail Uni unless I want to be called a cheater.

Is that how it's going to be?

I thought we were supposed to be having fun. But now I can't sail, so where is the fun?

And what about that little kid? I'm sure down deep he's now thinking, "Sailors are DICKS! Nobody would take me sailing so screw them, I want a Jet Ski!"

When this stops being fun, I'll sell the racing boat and buy a ski boat or a cruising boat. Life is too short to take a local race so seriously. And judging by attendance, I don't think I'm the only one who feels this way.