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
Wouter Hijink Formula 16 NED 243 (one-off; homebuild) The Netherlands
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?
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 Hijink Formula 16 NED 243 (one-off; homebuild) The Netherlands
Sorry to hear that Kenn but thanks for the note(nm#8265 06/28/0201:42 PM06/28/0201:42 PM
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
Re: St. Pete is a definite possibility
[Re: michael C]
#8269 06/30/0202:38 PM06/30/0202:38 PM
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!