Okay troops-

Just talked to WF and the venue is set at Key Largo, racing to be on Nov 15-18th with measuring on the 14th.

Now, someone inquired into cost- That depends on how many there are-

SO- Please let me know BY JULY 5th your intentions-

Definitely coming, If at all possible, Probably, Maybe, Probably not, No way!



Thanks!



Kirt

Hi Kirt -

I will be there. Hope everyone can make it!

Chuck

Well, I would like to give you a definate answer but I'm dependent on somebody else taking me on board. In effect willing to put up with me. So in my case somewhere between :



Maybe and probable



Where is the the response from FastcatMicheal and wife ?



I really do expect them to turn up and proof he deserves his internet handle !



Wouter

Hey Kirt,

We hope to make it.



Mike Hagan T4.9 221

Kirt,



Put me down as "if at all possible"....need crew with truck to agree to go.



Jeff.

Hi Kirt,



Because of the travel that would be involved and a lack of vacation time, my wife and I will probably not be able to make it.



Kenn Newbury

T4.9 USA226

Barring the unforseen, I'd love to go. Have we decided whether this will be a 3 or 4 day event for the F16's? Just curious.

Michael C.

How many boats should we set as the "minimum?"

In other words, if there are less than say 6 who are definite, should we have the first nationals at a more accessible venue and have it as a 2 or 3 day (vs. 5 day) event? I mean, I'd love to take advantage of this opportunity (thanks again, WF), but what would generate the highest attendance?

Just brainstorming.

Michael C.

You have my vote to bring it north.

Keys are nice but a long trip, even from St Pete.

Maybe D.I.Y.C.

Another idea would be Fort Walton Beach...maybe get the AK and TX crowd to come over.



On the naysayer front...getting clubs to run regattas ain't cheap...especially places like DIYC. Tagging on with the 18's definitely pays in that respect.

Pinellas County (St. Petersburg/Dunedin Causeway) now has FIVE T 4.9s. Perhaps that makes us a good venue for your "Nationals". You could use Davis Island (Tampa), Dunedin Causeway, or Gulfport.



The DIYC group is really the TBCS (Tampa Bay Catamaran Sailors) and is a well run organization. You should contact Commodore Terry Fondrick at [email]dartfast@prodigy.net.[/email]



By the way, on Sunday 6/30/02 we have our Liberty Race at the Dunedin Causeway. We hope to see the beach debut of Jennifer Lindsay's newly arrived Taipan 4.9!

Now I don't know how many of those have spis (F16 nationals remember) but five is a good base fleet to base a nationals on. That is if we can convince them all to give it a shot (by making it fun and entertaining enough for the people staying on the beach)



Personally, I don't care much where it is held as I need to fly in anyway. But I most say that the promise of more boats on the line is very tempting.



On another note :



Maybe we can take W.F. up on his offer to take some of our boats along in his trailer and get the boat to the keys that way. Than the crews living far off could just fly in as that would save alot of time and be less of a hassle.



Maybe Kirt can check this out for us ?



Wouter

wouter

If we still have the flexibility to change locations, I'd vote for St.Pete/Tampa. An 8 hour drive is a lot more attractive than an 11-12 hour drive.



Kirt-do we have the flexibility to explore other options for venue?

Check your e-mail on this forum - Mike Taipan 213

IF Kirt is ok with this, we have 3 different possible venues in the St. Pete area in which to hold the race. And an in-county base fleet of 5 boats which will definitely attend. Chuck, is this a good spot for you? How about the other sailors that live farther away? I think we would see twice as many boats with a 2-day race in St. Pete vs. a 5-day event in the Keys.

Michael Coffman

P.S.

I still like the idea of eventually doing races with the 18HT's. But when we do it, it should be with a larger # of 16footers than I think is likely at this year's nationals, if it's held in the Keys.

Just way more than my $.02

Mike



E-mail me about continuing our discussion on spinnakers.



Mike 213

Without the F-18 connection, the dates become flexible. Here's a suggestion:



The Dunedin group has one of its biggest events in late October. It is a distance race called the Barton Memorial. In recent years it has expanded to include a banquet on Friday night, setup and fun racing on Saturday (post-party recovery day) and then the distance race on Sunday.



Perhaps TBCS would welcome your 2 day race on that schecule so they can use the existing Barton logistics (RC, chase boats, etc.) rather than an all new race. You could do bouys on Saturday and distance on Sunday. This way you get a banquet included! We have Fall season wind by then and a good turnout for the Barton. Could be a great time!

Loving this idea....

Maybe the others know you already a long time but this is my first time I'm aware of you.



Welcome to the forum and fair winds to you.



Wouter

Yes, St. Pete is fine - I have sailed Davis Island a couple of times.



My only regrets are that I love sailing in the keys - I guess the clear water. Also it seems like a lot more work to organize our own regatta versus piggy backing off the 18hts. If we don't want a 5 day regatta, I am sure we could run 2 or 3 down in the keys. For me I would drive the extra 3 hours to take what is being offered.

That said I am not as hard pressed as I make out to be, and I'll look forward to doing it at either location.

Chuck

PS Are you getting 5 boats our at one time often? If you have any races a group is planning attending, let me know - every so often I can sneak away

You guys would love it. Perfect sailing location. I'd also like to have some other 16s to show how great a boat they really are.



We have some unspoiled areas you'd be sailing around. Approximately 5 miles to the south and 10 miles to the north with not a house or condo on the beach, just Caladesi Island State Park, Honeymoon Island State Park, Three Rooker Island, and Anclote Island State Preserve. Winds in October are perfect onshores at 10-13 knots. The water is about 78-80 degrees. We launch on a sandy beach in a protected "sound" and travel out a very wide break between the islands to get to the Gulf of Mexico. If it happens to be too rough in the Gulf we have a lot of open water in the sound.



Come on down. If you are interested I can talk with Tampa Bay Catamaran Sailing, Inc. about running the race. Camping within 5 minutes. October hotel rates some of the best too (hotels a little further away).



Mike (Taipan 4.9 #213)