Good stuff guys. Here's how the driving shakes out from the Washington DC/Annapolis Md area.

GYC - 16 hrs
ATL - 11 hrs
Bham - 12 hrs
Myrtle Beach SC - 8 hrs (Kris must go the back way)
Roton Point Conn - 6 hrs
Racine Wisconsin - 13 hrs

My votes.
Yes - Doing a fall event. Air may be cooling but water is still warm.
Yes - Makeing it a 3 or 4 day event makes it worth a drive.
Yes - Have a vote at the GC and set up a leadership structure.

Ed

The problem with combining events is that is that it precludes one from racing in both the F18 NAs and the F16NAs. I've also heard some of the N20 guys grumbling because they want to do both F18s and N20s. Combining these events will reduce the turnout in each class.

Realistically, how many F15 guys sail F18 also?

Probably more than you think. . . Racine 2010 is already stirred up a lot of interest and commitments.

Fall is a busy time of year and there are a lot of events going on. It's hard to get that many days off for many folks and they must choose their event. Also, November is the Cuba run, and I'm kidnapping Jody to sail it with me, so there . . . :P

So what's the weather like this morning? If we are going to have a fall event "up north", can we do it before the first snow?

A little chilly this morning. Let me check our rule of thumb...water temp (45) plus air temp (45) = 90, so yeah, we're good.

Annapolis - Average high is 68F this time of year. Tomorrow, we will be nearly 20 degrees below average for the high (49F). Water temp of 65F with a low air temp of 46F. No snow but will put a chill in your bones if not suited correctly.

Mid-September, average high is 79F - 9/14/09 78F was the actual high with a water temp of 73F.

Unusual weather the entire summer this year in Annapolis. We did not have an August lull/heat streak. This weekend's regatta will be challenging because rain is also in the forecast with the unusually low temps.

YIKES!! The class needs to adopt the "120 rule"- water + air temp must = 120 or greater for a championship event.

45 degrees. I don't even go outside when it's that cold.

I'm kidding on the 90 rule.

This has been a cold year. At Carlyle for Muddy waters a week or so ago, the water was in the 60s (I personally tested it - twice) and I think the air was in the low 60s. People were a little uncomfortable with wetsuits.

The "Fall" event would probably have to be in Sept. if held up north.

September sounds great.

Weather for Racine
Month Avg.
High Avg.
Low Mean Avg.
Precip Record
High Record
Low
Jul 79°F 64°F 71°F 3.57 in. 104°F (1995) 42°F (1972)
Aug 78°F 64°F 71°F 4.08 in. 102°F (1948) 40°F (1977)
Sep 70°F 56°F 63°F 3.70 in. 101°F (1953) 32°F (1956)

Water temps are in the mid 60's

Racine is the place !!!! For 2010

We used to enjoy sailing late fall best in Nebraska as there would be a few warm days the water had not turned hard yet and we had the water essentialy to ourselves.

Those kind of days were few and far between though, so planning a late event in the North is not practical. I would think early Sept at the latest if up towards WS, and you could get away with mid to later along the mid-atlantic. If it was MS, panhandle, or Atlanta area you might pull off something into Oct without a problem.

I have gotten spoiled though living down here. 140 rule is even a but chilly for me now. When we have to put on a paddling jacket or anything more than my shorts, I start to lose some of my enthusiasm for getting wet.

Was it CRAW that invited us? Seems to me we need to go where there is interest.

I know we are going to discuss this at the GC, but things have a way of getting shoved aside.

CRAW has confirmed it is hosting the F18 nationals in Racine. At the last regatta, we had 3 F16 boats there and they asked if they should consider expanding it to include the F16 nationals. I have not been to Racine, but they have hosted 100+ boats there before. We said we'd check into it.

BTW I expect more F16 boats in CRAW next year. At least 2 people are considering them.

Racine has a massive beach with nice sand, and a nice yacht club.

The regatta this year was just odd. The wind was about parallel to the shore. You'd get a gust off of land, and it felt like standing in front of a giant hair dryer. Then the wind off of the lake was cold, especially in comparison.

When is the Racine regatta usually held?

August, but I can't remember the exact dates for next year. Maybe around the 7th-8th.

That's interesting. August is a good time to be FROM Florida.

The F18 National will be the week of August 9 thru 13
There will be a CRAW regatta the weekend before as a tune up for the Nationals Bring those 16's up to Wisconsin Enjoy one of the best beaches on Lake Michigan and CRAW hospitability The last time CRAW hosted the NACRA nationals (2006) the sailing was great and the parties were even better.. Lots of swag and fun for all !!

Maybe we will even have some cheeseheads to give out:)