Is it true?

I don't have a problem with people organising a season or six on something that stretches them financially yet keeping the team on by asking them to contribute to race entries, shore accomodation, food etc

Happens in the US too no doubt.

What does pÆÆÆs me off is being asked by the owner to come along with no notion of any costs, asked later to pay a share of entry, delivery diesel,  and not being allowed to stay on the effing boat!

I have stormed off from two and learnt to ask the crew before I commit to penny pinchers- actually prefer sports boats to 40ft+ now on these grounds- you know you are likely to pay for a bed atleast!

never paid a penny to sail on anothers boat , did about six years solid starting in teens in keelboats , inshore and offshore , still race occaisonally , but prefer my own cat .

I would never expect anyone to pay to sail on a boat I own ,nor would I pay to sail on anothers . although up here we are considered mean ! , its pretty rare for folks to ask crew to pay ,its all part of buying and racing boats , you do get joint ownerships which can work.

No problem ,

if you want to pay thats up to you.

If however when I was young daft and keen and raced 8 months out 12 on others boats  there is no way I could have afforded it , I could barely keep myself in swally , though the owners DID look after us pretty well , sailed plenty cool boats from micro tonners to 50 footers , crew dinners were legendary .

You will be shocked at how many free receptions , goodies etc are handed out to keelboat events too , dinghy sailing is WAY behind , you could eat and drink on the sponsors for weeks if you were lucky .

Good to hear that when I get really decripid and hang my cat shoes up theres a new generation of folk coming through cash rich and ready to fund keelboat campaigns , but I'll be dribbling before I go back to that full time .

As a matter of interest do you guys pay sliding scales , like do the poor sods who sit on the rail pay as much as the cockpit , what about the foredeck , do they actually pay to get ingorned ,shouted at and generally risk their lives.

Wonder how much those guys in Americas cup pay to sail those mighty boats ,