We are hoping that the F18 will have their Midwinter Nationals in conjunction with the NAMSA NAs/Tradewinds Regatta in Key Largo.
I have been talking to Tracie and David Ingram about the
Tradewinds for a major event. It would be great to have it as the
midwinters. Also, it would be nice as one of the East Coast Series the F18s had last year.

There is good news and bad news in the Keys. The bad news is Gilberts will probably not be available in 2007, but the good news it will be for 2006. We still plan on using Gilberts for the Wave Nationals, Steeplechase and Tradewinds.

More good and bad. Rowells was bought out for building a
condo. Good news is that they don't plan on anything in the very near future, so we may be able to make a deal with them and use that as a home for a few years. Right now there is only one ramp for launching, but there is a beach at the south end where many boats can be launched at the same time. It will need a bit of work to prepare it for sailing, but that should not be a problem.

More.., and this is all good news. Barb Short is applying
for TDC (Tourist Development Council) funds and they have over 200 thousand dollars available. It is too late for the 2006 Tradewinds, but we are a shoe in for 2007. We were able to abscond an application for funds used by the folks that do the Key West Week and all we have to do is emulate them. And they get a ton of money.
TDC funds will pay for advertising in major magazines and on websites to shake the trees and rattle the cages. Maybe we can get sailing going hot again.

More good news.., We have been in conversation with the the
village of Islamorada and their Founders Park (aka Plantation Yacht Harbor) about giving us an area for non-motorized boating. They seem to be favoring this idea. This would give us a permanent home for sailing and regattas.

So, all in all, it would appear that things are going to be
OK after all. Phew! In this day and age it seems that we are all losing good venues for regattas at a rapid pace.

Hope you decide to come to the Tradewinds.

Rick,

That's great news for a spectacular sailing venue! There's NOTHING like spending a long weekend in Key Largo potentially sailing in shorts and a t-shirt to break up the winter misery.

Rick,

I just heard about Rowells, does this mean an end to Hobo's!?!

Tradewinds/Steelpechase just wont be the same without a Hobo's burger at the end!

We have been at Put-in-Bay, Ohio for the summer and won't be back to the Keys until the 3rd week in October. But, someone said they just got back from the Keys and Hobos, Kellys and Neptunes are gone. All torn down to build condos.

Burger at Hobos? Geez, their fish sandwiches were the real thing. Awesome!
Rick

I never had a bad meal at Hobo's. Tearing down Hobo's is just WRONG!

Hi Rick and Mary,
Thank you very much for your tireless efforts to keep the sport going. I came down to the tradewinds in 2002 from Toronto, and had a great (but cold) time. Everyone was in love with my fur lined mits, which I almost wore on the boat.
We have lots of great venues in Canada to sail, but it is probably too far for most people.
Dave
http://www.westlakesailingclub.com

Rick and Mary, thanks for everything you guys do for the sport.

Its sad to see the places with character like Neptunes and Kellys being replaced with some sanitized tourist trap. And Hobos? That IS a crime.

What are the affordable (relative term) Hotels left in North Largo?

Ed

We will return to the island about the 3rd week in October and survey the damage. Hobos gone?!?!!?!?!? What shall we do?
Rick

Hobo's is not closed. I was there yesterday for Happy Hour.

They are going to be moving into the empty sushi bar around MM 102 ocean side.

Whew! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
Rick

CHIP!

Nice to see you're back on the field. You planning on busting out the I-20 for some more races?

Jay