Maybe you could somehow combine the Miami-Key Largo and the "Hog's Breath" (or whatever) 100.
The Miami-Key Largo is Saturday, April 18th, 40 miles from Miami to Key Largo. Enter that race and finish it at Key Largo but make that ALSO be the first day of the "Hog's Breath" 100. The second day, Sunday, April 19th, the people who want to complete the "100" would start either at Gilbert's or the Caribbean Club and race down the inside (reverse Steeplechase) to the Channel 5 Bridge and back up the outside to the Islander for the finish of the "100." That would make the two-day event about 100 miles.

I don't know whether this plan sounds viable, but seems like it might attract more cats to both the Miami-Key Largo and the "100."

What do you think? Sounds like a really good course. And chances for trophies in TWO races!

I like it.

Also, for the Tybee 500 people, if they have any breakdowns, they would have three weeks to fix them before the Tybee.

With this format there might be a few that could do the triple crown thing.

Mary's on to something. I always thought the only drawback to MKL was that it was a one-day and one-way jaunt.

There were some informal sail/race back to Miami the next day (or immediately after the finish in Key Largo), but this would allow those who want a longer format to continue the 100 miles over two days.


I think this idea (piggyback on MKL) might have more appeal, but don't know if the logistics would be more difficult.

I like Mary's idea for practicality.
But, I must admit most of the reason I really want to do this race is the reward of sailing to Key West. Key West is a little more attractive to me than Key Largo. Not sure if the reward is worth the potential logistical nightmare however.

I don't know how many wil dig down the forum to find this but I have tried to come up with Pros and Cons for two formats of the HB replacement race. Ther is still some possibility of keeping it Islamorada to Key West, but we need to understand all aspects. So here are the pros and cons I see. Hopefully most can dig thru this and get to this page. Let me know what those who expect to race want. I can go either way.

Pros and Cons HB replacement on 19 April, following MKL
Or stay on original dates: 25 – 26 April

Venue 1: Race from Black Water sound to Chan 5 then up ocean side to Islander Resort

Pros
A continuing race the following day
Stay on bay side for o-night, do not have to de-rig boat
Run down to Chan 5 and return to Islander, doable
Sailors get two races in one weekend
Caribbean Club, do-able, may be right answer, no trailers needed there.
May expand race to more boats
Three weeks before Tybee
Cons
Trailers must be moved by ground crew
Long race on 2nd day
Where to stop
Gilberts unknown support after Brooke left Marley’s
May not be do-able; definitely will not be permanent answer for the new race
Race length for this version is about 44 miles, vs 90 miles; Really reduces the significance of this race
Time factor, must be coordinated with MKL organizers
Caribbean Club, Access? Cost? Boat safety?? Race must go through mangrove islands (two sets) immediately after start
Three weeks before Tybee
Hotel at other than boat location

Venue 2: Start at Islander on 25 April, down to Marathon, stay or have lunch and return to Islander Resort (Boats mat be left at Islander Resort until Tybee. Tybee will start at Islander this year.)

Pros
One stop for trailers, ground crews un-necessary, (two sailors and go)
Good distance race to check out boats (approx 90 miles)
Race reasonably safe for medium skilled sailors, by staying in Hawks Cannel
Hotel at boat area, may have arrangements to have rigged boats pulled thru at Snake Creek bridge
Two Weeks before Tybee
Cons
Must breakdown boats and wait a week to race, makes two weekends necessary
Shorter race 44 miles in one day vs 90 miles in one or two days.
Two Weeks before Tybee