looks like a huge beach in the middle of your picture to me.

I am a little concerned about the whole project if they are thinking huge numbers of beach cats -- like 150-200 -- to do this event.

To me it sounds a whole lot more dangerous than the coastal distance races.

The Gulf Stream through that funnel between the Keys and Cuba can be more brutal than beach surf, and no landing place in sight.

You have to be really dedicated to the idea of "cultural exchange," to commit your life to it.

When you think about how few cat sailors are really qualified experiencewise to do the Tybee 500, you have to really think a lot harder about how many people are qualified to go offshore in a small cat across the Gulf Stream.

For a race like that, you have to be able to choose your weather window and wait for ideal conditions.

Did you watch the video? Serious sea state for a 9-12 hour trip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjP8nbIhXOQ

(Why won't it embed? I tried the embed Youtube code...no go.)

I can't see 150 boats participating and when I see numbers like that it makes me question how grounded the organizers are. However, a sail like this is an adventure and the cultural exchange / teaching kids adds just a little more benefit. Of course there are risks but it wouldn't be an adventure if there weren't. The key is boat prep, body prep, planning, and more preparation. The sailors will have to take a little more serious approach to taking care of each other and I would consider setting up a buddy system of sorts so one boat doesn't get left way behind the others. I also wouldn't recommend crossing this bit of ocean without some sort of experience.

It's not just a "bit of ocean." How many beach cat sailors have "some sort of experience" sailing in the Gulf Stream, out of sight of land?

I just hope the organizers will consult George Bellenger, because he IS the expert on making this particular crossing to Cuba and has done it many times.

I hear the "Bay of Pigs" has plenty of boat parking.. just not good access to overthrow a nation....

why not open it up to other types of boats? model it after the annual "regatta del sol" from Tampa to Isla Muheres, Mexioc?

That way if the smaller boat(s) break down, there may be a good chance other boats are in the area (or the monos would eventually catch up)

Used to be a big-boat race (monohulls and multihulls) from Tampa to Cuba for years, and they had to discontinue it because of the new, stricter regulations. I haven't heard whether they are going to be able to start doing that race again. Anybody know?

As I recall, part of the problem with that race was that you are not allowed to spend any U.S. money in Cuba, so they had to have a sponsor to pay for all that in advance somehow. And then there was a dispute about whether that sponsorship was valid.

so, the video makes crossing by H-16 (with powerboat assist) seem almost do-able.

How about spin boats which, by some accounts, are a bit more 'twitchy' in those conditions?

Those waves in the video was not scary. Good preparation, emergency gear and emergency communication should make it safe as long as there are some safety boats around. Having a sensible eye on the weather forcast is the most important.

I can imagine 150 boats participating in this even in a few years. Great adventure.

People cross this patch of ocean in rafts all the time. THey even do it rowing wooden boats and when they make landfall they set everything ablaze.

I dont see how crossing it in a F18, I20 or anything in that size will be so dangerous.

The waves that those H16's were in are nothing that can't be done on a nice, full bow'd N20.

NO NO NO!

this is a big problem... It is simply NOT FAIR to the monohull classes to say... HEY... we beach cats are racing and if we break down... we KNOW you will bail us out and stop your racing to save our butts!.

They have just as much invested in the race as you do... and they have every right to expect the boats racing to be self sufficient!

On the Chesapeake.. the organizer know that the beach cats are self righting... carry tow boat contact info and DO NOT EXPECT a bailout from a racer! They know that if there is an emergency that is life threatening, the cat sailor will hail Pan on the radio on 16 ... otherwise... the mono's should keep on going ..

Sailors who pirate a distance race give the organizer's real heartburn.... both catamaran and monohull OA's.

For this race... I would expect the OA will have the right amount of crash boats and experience requirements for the race. ... so.. work on that resume and save some cash for the safety boat that will be needed! (oh.. and your spanish... !)

If you can't handle your own safety and are not experienced with this type of distance racing, you shouldn't sign up for it.

I used to pirate the Santabarbara to King Harbor Race (130 miles) and would get chastized by the race ORCA organizer often. It was fun to fly past all the F boats with the chute up.

How much ocean sailing is proof that you are qualified to do this kind of race?

I know of lots of beach sailors who sail their hobie 16 off the beach... yet they are dog slow in a buoys regatta..

They have miles of ocean sailing and years of experience... does that count?

If they feel they can do the race on their 10 year old 16.. ... are they good to go?

Who in the OA makes the call... Yeah or Nea?

It's an issue.

My point was how do you get to it, hence the comment about the concrete sea wall that surrounds it. Could be a long line at a single ramp, sharing what ever beachwheels that are provided. Inquiring minds and all that . . .

Hobie 16 cant enter this race, its for 18 to 22 foot beachcats with spinnakers.

Coral Pink leisure suits, wide lapels and dark glasses. Hmmm.