Welcome aboard! Good luck in your new life aboard your boat. I see from your profile statement that you're planning on spending some time in Corpus Christi, Texas. My husband and I have very fond memories of sailing there. When he was in flight school (1983 timeframe) we lived in Kingsville and went into Corpus Christi every Wednesday night for the races. We crewed for a fellow with a Pearson Triton. It was a fun time, we had the boat owner who knew little about sailing, another fellow who was a serious racer whose J-boat was in the yard being worked on, and then hubby and I who knew little about sailing, less about racing, but loved the experience. They did the races all winter long--rain or shine there were many boats out there every Wednesday. I hope they still do it--if so, you'll enjoy it.