We have made arrangements at several spots to launch for the event. First, The beach next to the Caribbean Club is available. But, better yet, the brother of Darryl McCullough (our sponsor for 23 years now) now owns the marina on the east side of Jewfish Creek. And he is a new partner with Gilberts and has the beach concession there. He is at this moment making arrangements for discounted room rates. Hope to see a lot of boats flying around out there again this year. More to come later, Rick
Great news Rick! Thanks for working so hard to gettting this to happen. Myself and Frank Moore have booked rooms at Gilbert's already. Can't wait, we will be there on Wednesday.
We were hoping to hear back on the room rates by now.., looks like maybe tomorrow we will get the info. Seems like most launching spots want about $10 a day for launching and trailer storage. Gilberts, I believe, will allow free launching and trailer storage for guests. And if they give a pretty good price it would be well worth it. I know in the past we have always recommended getting a room in Key Largo for the duration of the weekend, and commute back from Anne's Beach (only about 35-minute drive) and you can stop at Steve Lohmayer's place for the party on the way back. Usually you can get a better rate that way, and the hotels down by Annes Beach are very pricey. Rick
The East side of Jewfish creek sounds nice as we wouldn't have to make our way through the drawbridge.
Rick, Can you tell us what and where that launch would be? Also would we have to stay at Gilberts to launch in this area? I can't figure out where the East side launching would be?
I just called Gilberts and it sounds like they are giving us $10 off their normal rate of $79 and $89.
It's not east-west, we're talking north and south here. When you are coming south from Miami, Gilbert's is on your right on the north side of the Jewfish Creek lift bridge, and the Anchorage is on your right on the south side of the Jewfish Creek Bridge. No matter which place you launch from, you still have to wait for the bridge to open to get through to the starting area at the east end of Jewfish Creek.
Updated Information that sounds pretty solid: If you stay at Gilbert's the room rate will be $69 a night throughout the weekend. No launch fee and no trailer storage fee if you are staying there. (But don't hold me to that.) I would highly recommend that you stay a minimum of two nights at Gilbert's, even though you have to drive back up from the overnight stop at Anne's Beach.
If you are staying elsewhere, you can rig and launch from the Jewfish Creek Marina (south side of the bridge). Trailer storage will be $10 per day, and there is a one-time launch fee of $10.
If you want to rig and launch from the Caribbean Club, mile marker 104, the fees are the same: $10 a day for trailer storage and a one-time launch fee of $10. You pay the bartender. As far as I know, you will NOT be able to use the beach at the Caribbean Club. You would rig in the parking lot and use the ramp to launch. The person who was leasing the beach is no longer there, and the Caribbean Club is in the process of getting a new leaseholder. That new entity may or may not be in operation by next week. If they are, you can negotiate with them if you want to use the beach.
At this point we are planning to finish the race off Gilbert's beach and have a barbecue at their beach after the race.
If you have questions about the launch areas at Gilbert's and Jewfish Creek Marina, call Brooke McCullough, 843-683-4386.
I'm coming baby! I finally get to come do this race after all these years of dreaming about doing it. I'll be crewing for Larry Ferber on the Flesh Machine. I'll see you guys there Friday night.
Regretfully, no. Sitting this one out. However, Frank will be there on the blue boat sailing with Ferrara. For the last four years, everytime I sit one out the wind dies - I hope for your sake that does not hold true.
I am headin down with Arbo but we will be watching from the his stink pot with his brother.
My wife was on bedrest for the last four months and I just had another kid earlier this month (hence the bedrest). That left no time to work on the ole SC 20 after I broke the mast at the "Round The Island".
Lookin forward to some time on the water after a tough 5 months. If anyone needs help with anything. I will be going down on Friday arriving about noon.
Hea. I took pics with the RC at Deep South last year. Sat was a wash out and Sun was off an on rain. One REAL hard downpour. Guys could hardly see line and marks. Comfy can be REAL nice sometimes. We were on a 38' Trawler and the heat reall was nice!
