I agree with the previous posts... Location, location, location. That new park acquisition sounds like the perfect spot.

Too bad there doesn't seem to be a launch area around the "event sponsor" for the Steeplechase (Island Watersports?). That sound appears big enough, and I don't recall too much boat traffic...

The Elks lodge wasn't bad, but the sailing area was a bit cramped (ask a certain N20 driver about anchor rode)

I can see either way (2 day or 3 day) because I'm only 2 hours away. But I can certainly see a longer event for those poor slobs who have to spend a lot of time on the road.

24 hours total drive time for a 2 day race? Hmmm....

waterbug:

we spent a total of 32 hours travelling to/from the event.

However, I cannot justify taking another day off work when there are other regattas that I would like to attend that require time to be taken. I (and others) only have so much vacation to take every year.

What about making the third day a seperately scored event? This way anyone who can come early can get an extra day of racing and everyone who can't won't get penalized either.

The Islander (Islamorada , MM 82.7) was a great venue for 42 A-cats that attended for a week of oceanside terrific racing: 2 days of blowin some hair off the dogs but it was not cold, our second 2 day regatta was moderate to light. Hey- Is this a growing fleet or what, lemme think???? And....if anybody checks the quality of top (Olympic) sailors who participated....

Islander has a huge wide (x 1200 foot long) lovely beach, tho only 2 launching ramps go thru the beach edge rocks and just one is a double wide. It worked well for our boats with help from each other. A HUGE parking lot: 400 ft x 400 ft with 2 drives out to the wide beach, mast up. No power lines in sight... Unlimited trailer parking.

Downside? $170 per night rooms, or $10 launching per day for the cheapcharlies who stayed directy across US-1 for $60/night. Guess which one I did!

So--- Rick, Ol' Buddy, will they talk to you? A great Tradewinds waits...

I concur with Dave Carlson's comments about the Islander Resort and the wonderful event we held for six days with 42 A-cats.

What made this work was was a win-win scenario for the sailors and the resort. We booked over 30 rooms and made a week that is typically "quiet" for that facility quite profitable. The sailors were very sensitive to keep the property clean and interface politely with the other non-sailing guests. We heard nothing but positive comments all week from the resort staff and other guests. Initially, the Islander was apprehensive to our using the facility because they felt we only wanted their property to launch our boats and hold our regatta. We had to make sure our class would support the facility and I thank John Schieffer and the participants for doing such a fine job of making this happen.

While the rooms were expensive ($159/night), I thought the value was great. The convenience and location made it worth the investment and if you shared a room with a compatible roommate, all the better. This was also an awesome location to bring spouses and children which at least half of the fleet did making it a family vacation. The resort had a large pool, hot tub, and poolside bar and restaurant. The restaurant was an awesome place to relax after a day of racing and every meal I had was excellent along with the service.

The site has passed our test as suitable for the 2007 A-Class WC. We hope to continue coming to this venue for many years to come and nurture a solid and mutually beneficial relationship with the owners and staff.

Bob Hodges
USACA President
USA 230

Having sailed out of the Islander for the 2004 Tybee 500, I can attest that it is a nice spot to rig boats etc. The launching area is quite shallow and you will likely have to walk your boat out beyond the pier and the race course will need to be pretty far out to get away from coral heads. While I wouldn't mind it, some might be concerned that the water could be considerably choppier / wavy on the Atlantic side of the Keys too. I also wonder how many of us Tradewinds sailors would support the Islander at $150 to $170 / night? How many rooms does Gilbert's have? I know they were fully booked at ... what was it ... $129/night? Maybe it's doable.

Yea you're right, the Islander sucked. I don't think you Tradewind sailors would like it!

Wait...that's not what I meant. I was kind of bantering...my point about Gilberts was that maybe we would buy up a bunch of rooms. Gilberts had no vacancy as a result of the sailors.

Don't worry Jake, I was just having some fun being a bit sarcastic!

I say no to the 3 day event. That really hurts any younger people from being able to attend. I already skipped a day of class for a 2 day event, due to location (loooong drive), and I know I can't miss 2 days of class in a row. Most of the older guys/girls have time off to use, but younger (ie high school and college) people don't. I know of at least 6 people at Tradewinds that sailed that couldn't have taken any more time for the event.

speaking of long distance travels, does "Auto-Train" (I believe the Amtrak thing) allow you to bring a boat & trailer? I'd always toyed with the idea of doing that to save my strength for racing. Perhaps it would take too long (or too much $$)... But then again, at today's gas prices....

And as Trey mentions, perhaps if we were to design multi-day events (over 2 days), it would be wise to schedule them during the school breaks (summer/winter, etc.)???

I don't know how it is other places, but in resort areas like the Keys, school and college break times are the most expensive times for motel rooms and you have to book way in advance to even get a room. That's why we have to schedule our regattas in off-season times.

PLUS, spring breaks for schools are staggered over a two-month period, and what works for kids from one school won't work for another.

Good points....

damn it only goes from VA to Orlando.

not to convenient to Miami or Largo

But you know, that only leaves a 6 hour drive for you from Orlando to Miami...

well it'll take 6 hours to drive from Raleigh to Lorton, plus the 15 hour train ride, plus the 6 hours from Orlando.

Doesn't make sense really for people south of the point of departure.