Let's make Tradewinds a 3-day regatta.

Any thoughts on making Tradewinds a three day regatta next year? Sat-Mon with Monday being MLK day where many already have vacation?

With such a long drive it's hard for me to make an excuse to come all the way down there for a 2 day regatta. Had Tradewinds been a 3 day regatta it would have been much more attractive. Then if you get blown out one day it still can be an event worth the trip.

It seems as though many of the larger regional events are going to 3 days such as Catfight and Springfever. I think the time of year that Tradewinds is would be a great draw for this type of regatta.

It would require race committee for an extra day but not much else. I don't see any reason to add in extra meals or anything.

What do others think? I can just say that for myself I'd have been more interested in dusting the snow off the boat had Tradewinds been a 3 day regatta.

Mike Hill
www.stlouiscats.com

It could happen, although I don't know many people that have MLK as a vacation day...

Why not leave your boat down here after Steeplechase, and just fly down for Tradewinds? Have someone take it to Georgia for Spring Fever, and you're golden!

Yeah, you could leave the I 20 set up in my back yard, I'll gladly "watch" it for you...

You'll come if its a 3-day?

Leave it as is.

Isnt there lots of playing around friday?

There was a good lineup of F18s practicing starts. There was even a short windward leeward course that people were going around.

I also think that, "as is" is perfect.

Before the Tradewinds becomes a 3-Day event, there is a need to find better launching facilities. There probably would have been at least 5 A-Cats racing at the Tradewinds this year had it not been for the overcrowding at Gilberts and the weather.

Jennifer

Why not have it where the A cats were racing??

Isnt Gilberts Sold anyway? Wasnt this year the last year for Tradewinds?

It's not the last year for Tradewinds. It's just the last year for holding it at Gilbert's.

As far as the 3 day thing...what about this: Schedule it for Sat, Sun and have MLK day available if either of the other two is non-sailable. Get in at least 6 races (3 per day) or more if the wind permits. I have never liked coming in to the beach at 1-2pm, on the second day of a regatta, when the wind is usually just getting good. But I only have to drive 3-4 hours.

Many folks forgo MLK Monday in favor of Earl Ray's B-Day, perhaps Friday, Saturday and Sunday would be better. Not that it is right or wrong, just different.

Ohhhh, I'm telling! You are in so much trouble now!

Thats what I meant. Thanks for clearing that up.

What?????

I think it's certainly worthy of a 3 day event - if the venue stuff can be worked out. Gilbert's is good ... mostly because I really like Blackwater Sound but launching was very time consuming. I thought Rick told us that he's got a solid line on a great spot for next year? I'm all for a 3 day event.

Yes the thing is that it is such a long drive, that its not worth it to go for a 2 day event, and get one day blown out. What about having it mon-wed? That gives people time to travel.

Jake,

From What I know, the Stae has purchased the old Plantation Yacht Harbor and is (has) turned it into a park. It has a good stretch of beach and lots of room. It sounds like a good spot. I think I may drive down to see it next week.

Nooooo...minimal vacation time requirement please. Fri - Sun racing so I can do it with just three days off work (Thursday and Monday for travel) Mon-Wed would mean that I have to practically take an entire week of vacation.

Made it back to Detroit last evening. It was an uneventful drive (the way I like them) but you sure could see that temp drop as you went north. Thanks Mary and Rick for hosting the event. We had a great time. Too bad it blew big air on Sat. An extra day of racing would have been nice but I'm not complaining. Having some extra days (Thu and Fri) to sail in just boardshorts and a rashie was worth it. I'm with Jake on this one...a three day event next year...Fri, Sat, Sun. Most if not everyone was already there on Friday. It just makes sense

keep it the way it is.

If I spent one more day in the Keys during the winter I might not come back north.

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.