Tad,

Here's a good idea. Have your deep pockets friend buy a new I-20 or F-18 depending on what size he is. You are light and tall and can go for either boat. Then have him call Steve Lohmayer and/or Jaime Livingston and arrange for some long distance racing seminars (at Tybee would be cool ...you can set up at my house) and then sign-up and train for the Tybee 500 next year and see how it goes...if it is great fun then go to your R33 Bermuda plan, but I'd bring along a Rock Star to help out...Carl Roberts and Rick Bliss both have BIG Cat experience and might be up for the adventure given proper incentive. Maybe you guys could sponsor Rick and Brandy's "Team Oz" in the Tybee next year to sweeten the deal! (Rick...I'll just take a 10% commission for Rob and me on good ol Soul Surfer)

You can "maintain" the I-20 for your friend and get it wet every weekend to help him out and he can also buy my I-17R for you to help you train when he's not available and you need to go solo :) That H-17 of yours does not have the chute you'll need to train with.

Go large Tad!!! Have Fun! Stay wet!

Jim Stone
Tybee - Soul Surfer