Geez, I don't know where some of you sail, but I've NEVER felt unwelcome. In fact, last year I showed up at a one day regatta late and was planning on doing some rec.sailing when they practically forced me to enter the remaining races. Before I knew it my boat was being dragged down the beach by four guys, it was all I could do to just keep up! It was good fun and I actually beat some guys on points (which was good for some laughs at the bar! This type experience is typical, and even in my mono days it would not have surprised me. I don't take part in many races these days, which is a shame. OTOH, If someone from the club were to call me up I would have a hard time not signing up... Then again, I really am hard pressed for time and my work as a pastor and minister means I can almost never race on Sundays, which is when my club holds most of their races.
