Where is the end point? And how about starting the Tybee 1000 (not 500) on the West coast, say Tampa area, going down to Key Largo, under the one bridge by Gilbert's, then back up to Tybee. Would that be close to 1000 miles or could it be done as 2 separate 500's? Thoughts?
Blade F16 #777
Re: Everglades Challenge stories?
[Re: Timbo]
#171876 03/16/0910:22 AM03/16/0910:22 AM
I think I tossed that out a few years back with very little response.
Logistically, I think the Marco Island - Long Key jaunt would be the most difficult for ground crews as it's all undeveloped Everglades Park area.
Maybe a Tampa - Marco 500 (if it's that far) and then move the boats to the Keys for the T-500?
I think use the existing Everglades challenge to gauge interest from the catsailing community, and if there are enough out there sailing it, break it out into its own regatta..
Jay
Re: Everglades Challenge stories?
[Re: waterbug_wpb]
#171882 03/16/0910:36 AM03/16/0910:36 AM
Frankly, I don't have time in my life for 1000 miles. That'll take close to 2 weeks to pull off, including the half week of travel and setup time required.
Re: Everglades Challenge stories?
[Re: Timbo]
#171893 03/16/0911:31 AM03/16/0911:31 AM
The details are minimal. Seems the event must be "Un-Official". They used "Spot" transmitters to track progress.
The check points are refered to as "filters" in some cases. This limits the types of boats because they are forced to go under bridges and portage around at least one point. I'd be interested to see how the Tornado or other cats got around these.
We had a few Hobie Kayaks in the event. One of the cheif engineers sailed / pedaled a tandem Mirage Island prototype. looks like the single Adventure Island won its class.
There is one track in the mapping that shows a boat heading out to sea and then stops reporting positions. Maybe Randy? He is said to have capsized and had to be picked up by the Coasties.
Look at "Challenge Mapper" for the Spot Tracking info.
I'd be interested to see how the Tornado or other cats got around these.
They dropped their mast and paddled through. Capsizing was discussed but apparently some of the bridges have less than 10' clearance to the water. I believe Jamie worked out a way to drop the Tornado stick on the water but I could be remembering that wrong.
I have plenty of stories In short – first boat to finish was Tornado, second – two person kayak, third – Nacra I20. First solo sailboat was my inflatable catamaran, and, I believe, I was 9-th boat to finish overall. I was chasing H14 to 3-rd checkpoint, sadly he dropped out there. Bridges are part of the Challenge, as wilderness area and self-reliance. There is no portage for boats choosing outside route through the Everglades. There are many pictures on my photoblog, including Randy Smyth’s innovative trimaran. There are pictures of catamarans getting into checkpoint 1 (there the bridges are) too. http://www.watertribecrazyrussian.blogspot.com/
Is that an Acat mast he's using, it looks a little shorter than a standard Acat mast. The main hull looks longer than an Acat hull, looks tapered in the back a couple of feet. Dagger in the main hull?
A lightweight, folding tri is a really interesting idea, I wonder why he couldnt right it?
Randy should market that thing, or at least the plans.
Mast is 26 ft, I believe. I think it is about right length for this challenge – easier to handle and store. Main hull is a-cat hull stretched to 22 ft, mainly at stern. There is daggerboard and very narrow outriggers – they should be sufficient to give resistance to go upwind in shallow spots. He used kayak’s hatches and they leaked, flooding main hull, I believe, so he couldn’t right it. It is very fast boat, so I really want to see it sorted out.
I found the root of Randy's problems. Bananas! Way bad luck on a boat.
"I said, now, I said ,pay attention boy!"
The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea Isak Dinesen If a man is to be obsessed by something.... I suppose a boat is as good as anything... perhaps a bit better than most. E. B. White