I very much dis-agree with the point about the front of the fleet helping the back.

In the Sprit 15 class (Dart 15 as was) at Grafham once a month there is a Pro-am session for the afternoon race. Bob Carter (Sprint 15 fleet captain) splits people up, so roughly, fastest helps the slowest AROUND THE COURSE for the first lap. The "Pro" MUST NOT cross the line in front of the "Am" (after lap one). At this point the "Pro" is set "free" to then sail away (if they can). This means that the first lap, in order for the "Pro" to be in with a chance of still winning he (or she) must help their "Am" to sail the first lap well. It has done a very good job in getting many boats in the fleet out.

The only problem so far is when the "Am's" just turn up once a month for a bit of "free training" and don't sail the rest of the time.

But generally, it is a great idea and well worth copying.

Another point is that the people need to be approachable and not live in towers. People ask me for advice and I will freely give it - But the best thing I have found is when I don't know something, say so. Someone asked me how to make their boat go faster. I talked them thru how to measure mast rake and rig tension, how to trim the sails. They then asked, "But how do I make it faster". My answer was "find out what the correct settings are, I don't know that they are, but I've told you how to measure and understand. You need to find someone who knows the boat to get the "fast numbers" as I've never sailed a Hobie 17".

Oh, and just have some fun, I can give you general pointers that usually work, but there is no substitute for asking someone who knows (and is willing to tell you).