Smallest boat down there? I'm almost the smallest boat at my marina now. As a matter of fact they are taking out a whole finger of docks (around 110 25-35 ft docks) to get the 40' plus boats that are on the waiting list. There were plenty of open docks last year in the shorter range and they said the waiting list for the bigger docks was long. The last time I sailed to Canada and was anchored out I was surrounded by 40-50 footers and as I was talking to them you would think I was on a suicide mission on such a "small" boat and with a gas engine to boot:-) I feel real lucky to have picked that boat because even in some pretty bad weather I always feel the boat is fine.

As far as the age thing the last few years of the Newport-Ensenada race I made an effort to look around and check the other boats. Maybe I missed them but I did not see any young skippers. There were a few young people crewing but not many. Maybe the economic downturn will make some of the older boats affordable but I don't think the desire is there sail. My nephew who is 19 comes up with me once a year but I think it's just to humor me (and sneak some beers).

I'm slowly getting some projects done on the boat and the first one this year is moving the traveler back to end boom. I don't like it mid boom and I noticed you moved yours back (I'm assuming yours started life mid boom). I also need to address some ventilation issues. I don't get much now which is usually OK on lake Erie but not always.

Should be a good year of sailing. Painting the bottom this week if weather holds.

Take care,

Bruce