A few details are in order for finishing at a respectable time....the race ALWAYS starts promptly at 7 am.....and I mean ALWAYS. So the key is to not be late for the start or else you wont be happy sailing thru the backdrafts! Its usually a NE wind ~5 to 7 knots which makes it a one tack beat to Destin , then a reach out the Pass to the seabouy before turning west for Pensacola. As the sun rises and the land heats up the wind follows the sun, going east, south east , south and then finally southwest late in the afternoon. During this process the wind will usually remain 7 to 9 knots until the SW seabreeze kicks in and it usually builds to 12 to 14 knots . This mainly occurs around 2 to 6 pm and makes for a fast spin ride home if your in the Pensacola Pass during this time range. As the sun goes down it will lighten up until it refreshes after dark and reappears from the NW.....great reaching weather for the final miles home. So how long does it take? The Supercat 22s will usually be in around 4 to 6 pm, with I 20s etc following. A well sailed H16 which does great on the return leg reaching can be in by 10 pm....however those guys who choose to take a ton of beer and stop in at Juanas for dinner will show up at sunrise on Sunday. The key is to get home before the evening wind goes dormant which is usually after midnight. Its wise to prepare for being out after dark with a fresh shirt, windbreaker and some good snacks.

Hope this helps and look forward to seeing you there!