I'm trying to make it happen. Need to get one of my hulls from Jill's to the keys. Looking at maybe renting a minivan or something but drop fees are pricey.
Might be able to pay the guy moving our trailer to stop there, looking at options.
Scott Rathburn says he might be in.
Islander website says no rooms available. I'll call tomorrow.

Is the hull in the Tampa area? I am heading there tomorrow night and might be able to bring a trailer.

If your hull is in Tampa, my time is limited tomorrow so I PM'ed you my cell phone number.

We are trying to make it down there for the first time this year as well.We probably will not know until a few weeks before the race. My wife and skipper is a teacher and may or may not be able to take those days off.

I called there are rooms available.

Do we have a block name or group code for the Islander rooms for weekend of Steeplechase?

Is there an event rate? They're apparently quoting $200/night.

Rick, are you taking point on this or no?

Dennis is the contact person. And he has been tied up running a windsurfer regatta. Best to contact him on the prices.That sounds pretty high. Dennis Green is the owner of Islander Watersports and the go to guy.
Rick

Ouch!

Rick,

Are you saying we (the participants) need to work with Dennis to get a rate? Are you going to collect the UKSC fees and make the arrangements with Ginette or are we (the participants) on the hook for that too?

Have not talked to Ginette.., you did. Whatever you arranged.
What I was saying is Dennis is talking to the reservations people today or tomorrow to see what kind of deal we can get.

So, you might check with Dennis to see if he could arrange anything.

Have the new NOR on the site
http://www.catsailor.com/Steeplechase.html

So, Rick, I want to call to make a reservation. What should I expect if I say I'm with the 'Steeplechase Race'?

Thanks,

As I understand it. Should they say they don't know anything, you might say that Dennis Green was supposed to have set something up.

Rick, based on your responses above I get the feeling you are not interested in managing or being the OA for this race. If so, have you conisdered turning over the event to Warren Green and/or Craig VanEaton? They have done a great job with the FL 300.

Sorry if you guys discussed this already. I see in the NOR it's a Le Mans start at the Islander. Is this okay? From what I remember, it can be a little dicey in there with coral heads etc.

It's not great but Anne's beach has the same issue. For the first time last year we had a southeast breaze Sunday morning so the only option was to sail directly offshore to deep water and there be hard spots out there. Just like Anne's beach it's how brave or fool hardy you are determines how aggressive you get with your boards. I also suspect getting a support boat ocean side is not an option.

I don't think there is any real "beach" at the Islander so it would be an ankle deep water start like Anne's beach has been lately. The only time I've seen someone hit something is a concrete block just inside the swim rope...but we'll have to be careful about when to get the boards down. It should be doable or, if nothing else, entertaining.

What about the swim rope, though? I guess it would be removed for the start or are we starting on the south side of the pier?

Actually it's not that bad depending on tides and breeze. The coral heads are out at the reef 1.25 miles out. If all sailors want to do a deep water start I have the vessels to set a start line and we can put rick out on the boat to do a start sequence. I sail my 6.0 without much problem at all. The problem flat is out from the Cheeca lodge, 3 blocks south. So the place you want to be careful of is at the finish. And there we can set a mark out 1 mile or so from the dock and finish when the you cross between the dock and the mark.