What do you guys do to get/stay fit for a race like the Tybee 500? Personal trainers, lift weights? Ride bikes or run? And what training do you find you enjoy most. I would think strength and aerobic training? I enjoy outdoor activities like mt. biking but hate being in a gym. Have a bowflex for strength training but little motivation.

You need to concentrate on building up your upper body, abs, and back. Here's what I've done and it seems to work for me, YMMV.
Staring Jan 1, do 10 situps, 10 pushups, 10 pullups. Next week do 10,10,10 twice, next week three times Level out when you get to 10 reps or 100 each.

I MTB and train core year round. It's all about the brain/body core really.

I've found the best exercise for sailing is swimming. I do lots of laps leading up to a long distance event. Swimming works your core (back and abs). Also swimming works mostly your arms and shoulders for endurance activity.

Biking or running are also good.

I don't find weight lifting to be particularly helpful if you can already do the chores on the boat that you need to do. Mostly you are looking to build endurance muscles.

Mike Hill

Biking is very good for endurance. If you mix in flats and climbing you get both a aerobic and anaerobic workout. Throw in some 30 second sprints every half hour to top it all off.

Beware of the bonk. You will have to increase your carb intake so you don't.

You also need to make sure you don't run low on sodium. A sports drink like GatorAid or Cytomax will do the job and control lactic acid.

and no big hucks the month before a big race.

No big hucks? Where is the fun without the element of death. I ride skinnys,teetors and gaps almost exclusively. More of a freerider than crosscountry. Thanks for the input so far guys.