O.K., the agonizing decision making is over. Have your cake and eat it too. We will be hosting the Taipan 4.9 Nationals and Open Regatta at Gulfport Yacht Club (St. Petersburg) on November 9-10. NOR will be posted during the following week.

This will be a low-cost, low-stress, open event, and is not meant to compete against the f16 event. Those who wish to go to both are welcome to leave their boats in St. Petersburg for the several days prior to the f16hp nat's, if that makes it easier. We will be sailing "stock" Taipans, but might do a "fun" distance race Fri. or Mon. to let everyone play with the chutes.

Our goal is to offer a first-time Nat's for those sailors who can't do a longer event this year, and for those sailors not comfortable with the chute yet. As an open event, it will also give us a chance to show our boats to a number of other sailors.

Any comments are appreciated.

Thanks,

Michael Coffman