We are looking to provide what was provided at the beginning of this race, but make the race accessable to more competitors. I agree with others that keeping the race in Hawks Channel provides a reasonably safe sailing area so that many can sail under good conditions. The prevailing winds are expected to be E to SE, but if we have a front blow thru, winds would likely be North to NE. AS I was told in Email, commercial boat recovery operations are available thru out the run to Key West. Key West is a great run but logistics are definitely not good. Storage for boats and trailers is a problem, changing hotels is a problem for ground crews and sailors.
The problem with all race managment functions is pre-registrations. No one does. And I understand this because sailors need mama's blessing and then there is the costs, to day even a bigger problem. Coordinating crew is another problem and making plans months ahead is difficult. If we could jointly agree to pre-registration of intent to compete, without up front money and no penalty for cancellations, race management would be a lot easier.
So to summerize, we want to make a medium challenging race for as many sailors as possible and allow those hardy souls preparing for the Tybee (Two weeks later)to ring out their boats and permit the same to store their boats at the Islander until the start of the Tybee for practice and trimming. But, we do not want to limit the race to just Tybee participants. And, if we could get some indications by pre-registration interest, we could set up several classes and adjust the races for good competion.
I know the run to Marathon will be easy to set up logistically. Relations are already set with the folks there, so the red tape problems will go away. I tend to like that race: Down to Marathon, a lunch deal there and return the same day but with the opportunity to stay overnight if the winds are light. Everyone will have the opportunity to race and the boats, if needed will be secure, behind a fence at Marathon. The boats can be brought up on a sandy beach ramp on cat wheels. This would make this a sled ride down to Marathon and a beat, with long and short tacks back to the Islander. I run the Race in Melbourne Florida named Hirams Haul, This would be similar, but ocean side and a little longer. All could stay in the same hotel, and shuttle by car to and from Marathon, just 40+ miles down the road.
All this being said, I still want to keep sailors happy, and therfore the request for desired input from those sailors.