Bob Barton Race Against Cancer, Sunday, October 11, 2009

I spoke with Bob Barton, Sunday after the Union Race. The Bob Barton Race Against Cancer is October 11, Sunday. Hope to see some new faces at the Dunedin Causeway. Dunedin area is a great place to sail, with the option of sailing in the intercoastal or out in the gulf. This is to be a distance race. All experience levels welcome. Think about putting this on your calanders.

16 days and counting, just a reminder to come out and sail, hope to see you all out there.

'Tecate' is now an official RC boat!

What's the current status on leaving your boats on the causeway overnight? I was hoping to get some sailing in on Saturday but really don't want to break the boat down Saturday night.

New laws were passed.. no boats allowed overnight without a permit.

BUT... permits are not ready, and signs are not posted. Sheriffs dept rep told me personally at the rules meeting that no tickets would be written prior to permits ready, and signs posted. The city Parks manager told me he would call me before they are in place. She (sheriff) also said warnings would be written prior to tickets for this season and maybe next season...

ALSO i told the TBC that if they got the race schedule to the city mgr (or parks dept) for an exemption of racers.. i dont know the status if they did or didnt...

so i wouldn't worry about it...

That's "Mystecate". Don't you know the name of your own boat?

Jeff, looking forward to see you.

He's lucky if/when he remembers his girls name...

Maybe it's too many syllables.

Mike,
Looking forward to catching up with old friends. Wife's visiting the great white north for that weekend so I get a pass. I'll be non spin(it has not been on the boat in about 4 years) probably solo.
Jeff

If 5 boats make a class maybe we can get get the others out and class race. No spin's.

Where's the middle finger emoticon? I'm not entirely pleased to be catless for this event.

ha ha ha!

Wana crew instead of bob around?

I would love to but I'm pretty sure the boat's already comitted.

Just a reminder for all of us untitled boats to be at the Dunedin Causeway Sunday for the race for a cure. Hope to see you all there. I have my jib at Zack's for a zipper repair and expect to set up Saturday and be ready to sail Sunday.
Dave Parker, Mike Catley, Andrew N, Bob Barton... lets get together and share some lies

We don't have to tell lies. So much weird shite has happened over the years we can just tell the truth.

Let's start with Steve:

Steve won the Barton "Crash and Burn" trophy back in 1999 for having his rudders ripped off his Dart 20 eight miles away at the Spider Buoy. He still finished.

Steve capsized on "Fisherkeller Shoal" the next summer and BROKE HIS LEG when he fell into 6 inches of water. We named the shoal after him.

Steve's Dart was nearly destroyed back about 1994 when a tornado ripped down Dunedin Causeway on race day before the start, wiping out most of the fleet. That was before my time. Who can replay that one for us?

Steve's Dart got carried 3 miles offshore by a waterspout. The boat was recovered and he sails it today. A Storm Stories segment on Discovery Channel was made about that one. True! The photo below is that exact waterspout as it passed over Clearwater Sailing Center, about 3 minutes before it ate Steve up on Caladesi.

Wherever, whenever, I'll buy the third round! Andrew's got a job, he can buy the rest.
And I raise my glass to Rocco and Smitty, RIP.

Haha... thanks for the invite, I plan to support the cause as much as i can...but i dont think i will be at in town this weekend... i am taking Zane to Miami...

Don't worry, i lie about Parker all the time...

I was 17 when it happened and remember it like yesterday. Back then the SAMS races were in full swing, 30+ boats, A,B,C Portsmouth. I had my Mystere 5.0 ready to race, and Rocco was still promoting the 5.0XL at the time. About 30 minutes before the start someone yelled “FUNNEL CLOUD!!!” and everyone on the causeway looked southwest to the tip of Caladesi Island and there it was, seemingly out of nowhere, a big twister was just beginning to touch down.

Immediately folks started lashing boats, trying to tear down sails, but it was all an effort in futility. The tornado lifted up and then slammed right into the causeway. I was in the back of Glen’s watching the carnage. Looking down the beach, the boats went airborne, one by one, slamming into each other and anyone unfortunate enough to be in their path. When the awning ripped off Glen’s trailer, I ran into Rocco’s van with 6 others. It was utter pandemonium as we buried each other in life jackets, praying the van wouldn’t tip or get sucked out into the bay. Seconds turned to hours as we sat there huddled, wet, and terrified.

The twister dissipated as quickly as it appeared and left a scene of total destruction in its wake. Boat parts, pieces, sails, were everywhere. Trailers were upside-down, some with boats still attached. Half-dozen cars were now 40 feet from where they once stood, now partially underwater. A 30 foot monohull lay on its side next to a parked BMW.

As far as human casualties go, I think Smitty broke an ankle. Russ Anson (Dundee) got knocked out when a mast struck his cranium and was taken out by ambulance. Rocco was also knocked about but relatively uninjured in his attempt to tie his XL down. Both of us were somewhat lucky as our boats were on the easternmost beach end and only had minor fiberglass/gel damage. Glen didn’t fare so well. He was in the water trying to set the anchor on his 25’ CXL catamaran when it hit. He was dragged about 100 yards through the muck, rocks, and oyster beds, and completely tore up his feet. It was later commented that no one had ever seen a boat move sideways that fast before.

And thus concluded the summer SAMS series.

/threadjack and trip down memory lane.

Did you poop your shorts?


I thought so

At least I wasn't screaming like a girl on your 5.5's maiden voyage.

"I'M OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE!!!"

It wasn't the fact we were doing 30 knots, almost everyone else wouldn't dare go out (except the very brave/stupid),the rudders continuously popping up, us navigating out into the gulf where no one else would dare go, and your girlfriend screaming in my ear as 1000's of gallons of salt water was puking in her face...

it was the evil grin that was ear to ear as you buried my brand new bows deep underwater (a move that would have killed me on my TheMightyHobie18)

As always.. i blame... YOU

I'll heading to the beach later this morning. Hope to see you all down at the beach. It should be 2 days of sailing for me. It will be a pleasure to not have to set the boat up prior to the race. Fair winds and a good start to all that show up this Sunday.

I'll be setting up today as well. Yesterday the wind piped up to about 15 so maybe we'll get some great racing in on Sunday. The water is 85 as is the air. Great saiing coming up!

I just want to say thanks for the great day of racing Sunday. There was a good turnout, hopefully the Barton Family raised some money for the cure. We have all had friends and family touched by cancer. It was good to see everyone that showed up, I will look forward to the the next one.

Good wind and a good time was had by all...


Above is the Bob Barton "Freedom" cat


Above is Bob congratulating Robbie Daniels on his win!