I like that story. I too am a grey beard retired and finding it difficult to get crew.
One of my regulars told me that crew was difficult to find as he swelled a little with his perceived irreplaceability.
So i put an add on Craigslist under boats for sale. Crew wanted.
got enough interest to fill the crew with a couple tospare and so was able to say that if you did not turn up for the sunday race you did not qualify for the overnighter. I ended up with practice sessions and a much mor esfficient crew. Now racing is more fun and less of a drag. A full boat seems to be a happy one with improved results.
