ANOTHER VIEW

There is a list of things, tangible and intangible, that are expected from a Rear Commodore, and it’s kept in a dusty notebook that is passed along annually, during some obscure, primitive and somewhat speculative ceremonies held in broad moonlight, and I’ve agreed to provide the tangible expectations to the best of my ability. As to the intangible things, the more esoteric, these are things that aren’t spelled out anywhere. Take the Adopt-a-Racer Cruise, for example. It will be taking place in April (a tangible item), and somehow, I’ve got to come up with a way (the intangible item) to insure that it’s crowded and that all the best "go-fast" secrets I can uncover are revealed to the world at large (not to mention the "go-fast" secrets of other, much more successful racers).

The crowded part is difficult, especially in our ‘politically correct’ world, what with litigation and other neat stuff like that, you can’t have free beer any more. However, there are other ways of insuring attendance (hmm, perhaps free BBQ??). The part that I have a problem with is the "go-fast" secrets. When you race on a boat as slow as a Cape Dory, any "go-fast" secret you might have must be pretty substantial in order to make a difference, and therefore must be guarded relentlessly. It also comes to mind, as I write this, that "racing a Cape Dory" could very well be a contradiction in terms.......

There are some other things I’ll have to deal with this coming year, such as the Rear Commodore’s Cruise (already planning ahead for that, have the place, have the date, have the menu, have... umm, we’ll get back to you on the details) and the Rear Commodore’s Race (There will be one in 1996, with a twist). All in all, however, I don’t see any problems on the horizon, just a lot of challenges. As to the "go-fast" secrets that make a Cape Dory as fast as it can get, you’ll have to attend the Adopt-a-Racer Cruise in April where ALL the dirty secrets will be revealed...........

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