Everglades Challenge 2017

[MisterMoon 312]

The annual Everglades Challenge adventure race starts from the beach at Fort Desoto Park at the mouth of Tampa Bay on Saturday, March 4 at 7:00 am. This year there are 104 boats registered for the ~300 mile "run-what-you-brung" race to Key Largo and another 15 racers in the ~60 mile Ultramarathon to first checkpoint at Cape Haze.

 

There are a few basic boat classes in the EC, ranging from canoes and kayaks to dinghies to multihulls. There are no handicaps and the fastest time wins the class. There are sub-classes for number of crew and male/female.

 

Class 1 are the canoes and kayaks. They can have a small >1m^2 downwind only sail assist, but they mostly paddle. There are 31 class 1 boats entered this year.

 

Class 2 are canoes and kayaks with no sail assist. Because class 2 is harder, there are fewer boats than class 1 at 14 for 2017. The teams I'm going to watch in class 2 this year are the veteran father-son team of IronBob/TheJuice (Robert and Druce Finlay) and world class adventure racers Piglet/AngryFatKid (Jason Magness & Daniel Staudigel). These teams know each other from the adventure race circuit (Eco-Challenge type stuff) and are racing hard to beat each other in a friendly competition.

Class 3 are the sailing canoe/kayaks with upwind rigs. Since the Hobie came out with the AI and TI kayaks came out the numbers of these boats has been dwindling, but a few still show up every year. Keep an eye out for Meade Gougeon in his very cool cedar strip sailing canoe.

 

Class 4, small monohull sailboats is my favorite class, mostly because it’s where I’ve been racing since 2011. This year finds a healthy group of 19 boats heading the KL. The overall win in Class 4 will likely be between TwoBeers/Moresailesed in their custom OH Rogers designed Tampa Bay 22 skiff and Skinnygenes/Skinnyjeans in their 50 year old turbo Thistle. You can’t count out the team of SOS/DanceswithSandybottom in their Core Sound 20 either. My favorite in the solo class is former winner and record-holder Roo Graham Byrnes in his Core Sound 17.3.

 

The multihull class 5 has some really strong teams this year, including absolute record holders Bumpy/Machoman (Jamie Livingston/Kenny Pierce) who finished the entire 300 mile course in 26 hours back in 2010. Sewsew (multi-hull legend Randy Smyth) is always one to watch in the solo class.

 

There are also a passle of Hobie AI/TI pedal-sail kayaks in this years event. Forumite ZeroTheHero and his wife are competing in a TI this year.

 

I'm sitting out for the first time since 2013, which is kind of a bummer, but I will be there as a volunteer on Friday and Saturday helping with registration and doing boat and gear inspections for newbies. If folks are in the area, come down to Ft. Desoto starting around 10 am Friday if you want to see the boats and meet the folks. I think you’ll find we’re pretty friendly crew. If you see me, be sure to introduce yourself. I’ll be in a green volunteer t-shirt with my ‘tribal’ name Mistermoon on the back.

 

I’ll post a few pictures and race updates along the way.

 

[MR.CLEAN 3,912]

can you post your favorite pic from past EC?

[MisterMoon 312]

2

[Steam Flyer 5,644]

The annual Everglades Challenge adventure race starts from the beach at Fort Desoto Park at the mouth of Tampa Bay on Saturday, March 4 at 7:00 am. This year there are 104 boats registered for the ~300 mile "run-what-you-brung" race to Key Largo and another 15 racers in the ~60 mile Ultramarathon to first checkpoint at Cape Haze.

 

There are a few basic boat classes in the EC, ranging from canoes and kayaks to dinghies to multihulls. There are no handicaps and the fastest time wins the class. There are sub-classes for number of crew and male/female.

 

Class 1 are the canoes and kayaks. They can have a small >1m^2 downwind only sail assist, but they mostly paddle. There are 31 class 1 boats entered this year.

 

Class 2 are canoes and kayaks with no sail assist. Because class 2 is harder, there are fewer boats than class 1 at 14 for 2017. The teams I'm going to watch in class 2 this year are the veteran father-son team of IronBob/TheJuice (Robert and Druce Finlay) and world class adventure racers Piglet/AngryFatKid (Jason Magness & Daniel Staudigel). These teams know each other from the adventure race circuit (Eco-Challenge type stuff) and are racing hard to beat each other in a friendly competition.

 

Class 3 are the sailing canoe/kayaks with upwind rigs. Since the Hobie came out with the AI and TI kayaks came out the numbers of these boats has been dwindling, but a few still show up every year. Keep an eye out for Meade Gougeon in his very cool cedar strip sailing canoe.

 

Class 4, small monohull sailboats is my favorite class, mostly because it’s where I’ve been racing since 2011. This year finds a healthy group of 19 boats heading the KL. The overall win in Class 4 will likely be between TwoBeers/Moresailesed in their custom OH Rogers designed Tampa Bay 22 skiff and Skinnygenes/Skinnyjeans in their 50 year old turbo Thistle. You can’t count out the team of SOS/DanceswithSandybottom in their Core Sound 20 either. My favorite in the solo class is former winner and record-holder Roo Graham Byrnes in his Core Sound 17.3.

 

The multihull class 5 has some really strong teams this year, including absolute record holders Bumpy/Machoman (Jamie Livingston/Kenny Pierce) who finished the entire 300 mile course in 26 hours back in 2010. Sewsew (multi-hull legend Randy Smyth) is always one to watch in the solo class.

 

There are also a passle of Hobie AI/TI pedal-sail kayaks in this years event. Forumite ZeroTheHero and his wife are competing in a TI this year.

 

I'm sitting out for the first time since 2013, which is kind of a bummer, but I will be there as a volunteer on Friday and Saturday helping with registration and doing boat and gear inspections for newbies. If folks are in the area, come down to Ft. Desoto starting around 10 am Friday if you want to see the boats and meet the folks. I think you’ll find we’re pretty friendly crew. If you see me, be sure to introduce yourself. I’ll be in a green volunteer t-shirt with my ‘tribal’ name Mistermoon on the back.

 

I’ll post a few pictures and race updates along the way.

 

 

Thanks for working to keep this event happening... and for the pic of course! Unfortunately I'm in the 'maybe next year category' this year I had some severe scheduling constraints as to when I could be down there. A shame, since I have a bottle of Woodford Reserve to share

 

FB- Doug

[RKoch 1,004]

Thanks for the thread, Mister Moon. Over the past couple days, the weather forecast has stabilized to a prediction of brisk NE winds at the start...15-18, gusting into the 20s. Tide will be coming in, dead against the wind. Crossing Tampa Bay will be rough, identical conditions to 2015. Hopefully the small sailboats and 'yakkers will be better prepared. Wind should shift east and ease off a bit as day goes on. Boats taking Gulf route will find smooth water if they stay fairly close to beach.

There is quite a formidable lineup for overall first to finish. Besides the absolute record-holding Tornado, there's a second Tornado, a Prindle 19, and several 22'ish custom multihulls in addition to Randy's boat. If the multihulls falter, the monohulls to set the pace are as Mister Moon described... the Turbo Thistle, the CoreSound 20 (and three CS 17s), and the Tampa Bay 22, which is a 500 lb plywood skiff with racks sporting a Melges 20 rig and carbon oars and sliding seat.

My prediction is Bumpy/Lumpy set a new overall record in their Tornado, Randy Smythe sets a new solo record, and the TB22 finishes third, futher lowering their monohull record.

[DaveK 52]

My favorite race thread!! Thanks!

[MisterMoon 312]

Yeah I agree it's setting up like conditions in 2015. I personally didn't find TB to be too bad at all that day even though a few had trouble. It sucks that I'm not going because once you turn the corner around the tip of Anna Maria and head S, it should be a fun 45 mile reach all the way to Stump Pass and the first checkpoint.

It could be a fast year for someone. The brisk easterlies appear to be holding all the way down the course through mid-day Sunday. While I don't think it's set up perfectly for an absolute record, it would not surprise me if someone did under 30 hours. To go really fast, I think you need N or NW winds in FL Bay so you can take the shortest route across the shallows and flats 36 miles to from Flamingo to the finish. This year the outlook is for easterlies until at least Wednesday or Thursday, which means you have to first sail out of the way ~25 miles south to the ICW before making the turn toward the finish.

[RKoch 1,004]

On 2015.... Some of the kayakers that got in trouble were experienced. They appeared to be dealing with it ok with other kayakers standing by and helping. The Coast Guard freaked out.

The sailboats that got in trouble shouldn't have. A Sunfish that should have handled the conditions (I've sailed Sunfish in FAR more extreme conditions) and the skipper couldn't right it after a capsize, and an O'Day Daysailer which is stable as a rock. Steamer and I were walking the beach the day before, and we agreed those two boats/skippers seemed a bit unprepared and not experienced enough (judging by their sketchy preparation).

The speedy boats should get to Fl Bay before the wind goes SE, but probably have to take longer route due to no water. Times to Flamingo should be very fast though. Slower sailboats and kayaks likely to be facing much headwinds, gonna be a bitch for them.

[RKoch 1,004]

Tracking map:

http://www.watertribe.com/events/challengegmapper.aspx

I think theres also a backup tracker, as the main tracker is often overloaded with traffic. Don't have the web address for the backup. Each boat also has their own sPot page, with tracking info.

[Nettles 35]

My favorite race thread!! Thanks!

 

 

What he said.

 

Damn, I want to do this race!

[Excoded Tom 1,589]

I ran into Sew Sew at our local community sailing center a couple of weeks ago. His wife was here to race her Weta. He told me he has a new wing sail for Sizzor.

 

I have to see it and the only reliable way to do that is to go to the start since I don't own any boats fast enough to catch him anywhere else.

 

I was talking to him about doing the race and came to a realization about myself. I want a gator tooth. That's the hard part. Other than staying awake through naptime, sailing a beach cat down the coast doesn't seem all that challenging to me. Not compared to The Nightmare.

[RKoch 1,004]

I ran into Sew Sew at our local community sailing center a couple of weeks ago. His wife was here to race her Weta. He told me he has a new wing sail for Sizzor.

 

I have to see it and the only reliable way to do that is to go to the start since I don't own any boats fast enough to catch him anywhere else.

 

I was talking to him about doing the race and came to a realization about myself. I want a gator tooth. That's the hard part. Other than staying awake through naptime, sailing a beach cat down the coast doesn't seem all that challenging to me. Not compared to The Nightmare.

You can see him come in at CP1, or wait at Stump Pass for him to enter there. You know that. I took pictures of him and following 3 boats at Stump Pass last year.

If sailing down the coast is so easy, then please explain how to do it to the 50% who don't finish. I'm sure they'd appreciate your words of wisdom. Even Randy has only a 50% track record of finishing.

I'll be at the beach Friday, will grab a photo if Randy's sail is up. I suspect it's not a hard wing, as that wouldn't meet reefing rules. Probably a soft wing, with internal wishbone battens.

[Excoded Tom 1,589]

 

I ran into Sew Sew at our local community sailing center a couple of weeks ago. His wife was here to race her Weta. He told me he has a new wing sail for Sizzor.

 

I have to see it and the only reliable way to do that is to go to the start since I don't own any boats fast enough to catch him anywhere else.

 

I was talking to him about doing the race and came to a realization about myself. I want a gator tooth. That's the hard part. Other than staying awake through naptime, sailing a beach cat down the coast doesn't seem all that challenging to me. Not compared to The Nightmare.

You can see him come in at CP1, or wait at Stump Pass for him to enter there. You know that. I took pictures of him and following 3 boats at Stump Pass last year.

If sailing down the coast is so easy, then please explain how to do it to the 50% who don't finish. I'm sure they'd appreciate your words of wisdom. Even Randy has only a 50% track record of finishing.

I'll be at the beach Friday, will grab a photo if Randy's sail is up. I suspect it's not a hard wing, as that wouldn't meet reefing rules. Probably a soft wing, with internal wishbone battens.

 

 

Yeah, I was only sorta kidding. I did manage to get in front of him at CP1 in 2013.

 

 

There's nothing easy about skipping nap time. But I doubt Sizzor could make it through The Nightmare so that's harder.

[MisterMoon 312]

We're planning to kayak out to Stump Pass Saturday afternoon hopefully in time to catch the fast boats coming in.

[RKoch 1,004]

 

 

I ran into Sew Sew at our local community sailing center a couple of weeks ago. His wife was here to race her Weta. He told me he has a new wing sail for Sizzor.

 

I have to see it and the only reliable way to do that is to go to the start since I don't own any boats fast enough to catch him anywhere else.

 

I was talking to him about doing the race and came to a realization about myself. I want a gator tooth. That's the hard part. Other than staying awake through naptime, sailing a beach cat down the coast doesn't seem all that challenging to me. Not compared to The Nightmare.

You can see him come in at CP1, or wait at Stump Pass for him to enter there. You know that. I took pictures of him and following 3 boats at Stump Pass last year.

If sailing down the coast is so easy, then please explain how to do it to the 50% who don't finish. I'm sure they'd appreciate your words of wisdom. Even Randy has only a 50% track record of finishing.

I'll be at the beach Friday, will grab a photo if Randy's sail is up. I suspect it's not a hard wing, as that wouldn't meet reefing rules. Probably a soft wing, with internal wishbone battens.

Yeah, I was only sorta kidding. I did manage to get in front of him at CP1 in 2013.

 

 

There's nothing easy about skipping nap time. But I doubt Sizzor could make it through The Nightmare so that's harder.

I think a TI has made it through The Nightmare recently (last year?). I know several have tried, and broken pedal drives on the oysters. Zero the Hero is attempting it with his wife this year. He may make it, he puts a lot of effort into preparation. Randy's goal is a fast finish time, not a gator tooth. Different people approach the EC with different goals. That's why it's so interesting. A couple of friends are doing it for the first time, on a Prindle 19. Their goal is a fast time, but primarily to finish. They're not going to push the limit, and plan a stop time or two to nap. They aim for a 48 hour time, but I suspect it might be closer to 60.

[Excoded Tom 1,589]

I love my Adventure Island and it has proven to be a great boat for this race but I don't want to use it.

 

Three reasons:

 

It's such a great boat for this race that it makes it a bit too easy.

 

I don't wish to wear a drysuit for days on end.

 

I want something that has a hole for me to hide in, if not an actual cabin.

 

I could care less about finishing fast. My goal would be to finish last. I'd rather be out on the course than waiting in Key Largo. Being on the course longest = winning.

[Excoded Tom 1,589]

We're planning to kayak out to Stump Pass Saturday afternoon hopefully in time to catch the fast boats coming in.

 

I'd join you but am planning on spending some time Saturday with another Speck Tater in Bradenton. There might be Wish Key.

[MisterMoon 312]

 

We're planning to kayak out to Stump Pass Saturday afternoon hopefully in time to catch the fast boats coming in.

 

I'd join you but am planning on spending some time Saturday with another Speck Tater in Bradenton. There might be Wish Key.

 

I'll talk to him. Find another boat for his fun-employedness and have him join us. Probably going to launch at the Stump Pass SP and paddle the mile or so down Lemon Bay to the pass.

[REW 58]

MLT

 

Between your comments about sailing down the coast on a beach cat and the AI being too easy I am not sure you really get the difficulty of this event....in anything. From the Start to Cape Haze is usually the easy part. After that it gets progressively more difficult and as miles and fatigue pile up it only continues to get tougher. The current and tidal flow In and out of Choko is brutal. There was one 300 yard stretch up current three years ago that took us two hours to get through after too many aborted attempts to count. Get stuck at low tide and jump off up to your thighs in MUCK and push, then get free jump on and sail for 20 feet and get stuck again......Then finally get to open water and punch upwind offshore overnight on your beach cat in 6 to 8 foot waves while telling yourself while your partner is trying to snooze that this really was a good idea, over and over again.

 

I don't say any of this to discourage you or anyone else. Do your homework and select a boat and train hard....nothing can adequately prepare you for the event other than the event itself....and the satisfaction of getting the tooth and knowing what you did to yourself to get it is better than any other sailing trophy you can win.......ever!

 

SwampMonkey

4 attempts, two finishes (with Chainsaw)

[Excoded Tom 1,589]

Swamp Monkee, I have been playing in those waters since I was a boy and know the problems.

 

I think you and RKoch may have misunderstood my meaning. The thing that's interesting about this race is that despite owning one of the better boats for the event and knowing the course pretty well, there's some chance I could try it and fail. If I wanted to wear a drysuit for days.

 

It's not often that someone comes up with a boating idea in my home waters and I think it's something I might not be able to do. That's interesting.

 

I think the odds of failure go up dramatically if I go for a gator tooth. That makes it more interesting.

[Excoded Tom 1,589]

 

 

We're planning to kayak out to Stump Pass Saturday afternoon hopefully in time to catch the fast boats coming in.

 

I'd join you but am planning on spending some time Saturday with another Speck Tater in Bradenton. There might be Wish Key.

 

I'll talk to him. Find another boat for his fun-employedness and have him join us. Probably going to launch at the Stump Pass SP and paddle the mile or so down Lemon Bay to the pass.

 

 

I have two AI's and two other kayaks, not to mention two skiffs we could use.

 

The thing is, I want to meet his B'ton friends and pick their brains for my flats scooter idea discussed over in the Society.

[MisterMoon 312]

I echo REW's sentiments. Stuff gets real past Marco Island. ZTH and I spent nearly 5 hours, sailing, rowing, tacking 100X, and running aground dozens of times to get the 9 or so miles from the Gulf to Chokoloskee last year against a falling tide. That was hard. We slept a couple hours, awakening to find our boat high and dry on the beach because the tide had come in and started to go out again. Inflate the rollers and push the boat back out through the mud and skeeters and back in the water. Row our way out 5 miles through a narrow winding shallow channel in the pitch dark to the open Gulf, sail all night. Look up the next afternoon and see the sail track pull off the mizzen mast. Go to shore at NW Cape (Sable) to effect repairs. Sail down to Middle Cape, cant' turn the corner because the tide and wind and your own exhaustion are too overwhelming. Pitch a tent on shore in the second place you look after you realized those are crocodile tracks in your first choice. Sleep all night and get up and do it again!

The best Hobie AI in the nightmare story I heard happened last year. Go to http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=70&t=7276&p=271363#p271321 for good read.

[RKoch 1,004]

Swamp Monkee, I have been playing in those waters since I was a boy and know the problems.

 

I think you and RKoch may have misunderstood my meaning. The thing that's interesting about this race is that despite owning one of the better boats for the event and knowing the course pretty well, there's some chance I could try it and fail. If I wanted to wear a drysuit for days.

 

It's not often that someone comes up with a boating idea in my home waters and I think it's something I might not be able to do. That's interesting.

 

I think the odds of failure go up dramatically if I go for a gator tooth. That makes it more interesting.

That's why it's called a challenge, not a race. Some people look to make the challenge as difficult as possible, screw the finish time. That's why people do it solo, or in ridiculously small boats like a Puddle Duck or SUP. I was cheering like crazy for the guy trying it in a Laser several years back. Total hardcore. He almost made it...ran aground so many times in Fl Bay he finally tore the DB trunk out.

The FrankenScot team got so fatigued by Flamingo they got lost trying to cross Fl Bay when they couldn't figure navigation out. Had to wade for several hours pulling boat behind, just looking for a swash channel deep enough to row in, let alone sail. It's certainly not an easy cruise down the coast, but you can make it as difficult as you wish to tackle.

[Excoded Tom 1,589]

I think all the AI competitors must be masochists. It's a blast for an hour. Fun for two. After four, I'm always ready to get out of the damn thing. I can't see myself spending days on one.

[Cal20sailor 2,539]

I think all the AI competitors must be masochists. It's a blast for an hour. Fun for two. After four, I'm always ready to get out of the damn thing. I can't see myself spending days on one.

Wimp! There must be a few gun ranges near the route.

[RKoch 1,004]

 

I think all the AI competitors must be masochists. It's a blast for an hour. Fun for two. After four, I'm always ready to get out of the damn thing. I can't see myself spending days on one.

Wimp! There must be a few gun ranges near the route.

Once you get to the Everglades, there's plenty of gators, crocs, and pythons to shoot. No gun range needed. Prob need a hunting permit. Not sure how you'd carry a dead croc on a TI though.

[RKoch 1,004]

are any gators harmed in the making of this movie?

No gators I know of. A few years ago a guy aboard a broken TI in Everglades waiting for rescue had to kill a python that attacked him while he was sleeping. And last year's winner, Spawn, collided with a basking shark while crossing Florida Bay. Centerboard and a rudder were damaged, although they may have been damaged any of several times they hit bottom.

[REW 58]

We gave a sea turtle a migraine heading int flamingo. Took a chunk out of a centerboard and had to jury rig some purchase to the board to get it in stuck. Don't really know how the turtle faired.

[redract 0]

hey yeah so that custom built 22 footer t'was built for last year's race (pretty cool boat, O.H. Rodgers, that cunning devil, designed it)(I took a bunch of pictures of it outta water on its trailer last year at the Ft. DeSoto launching ramp, I'll look for 'em)...zat the same one as be going off this time 'round? "Cause didn't they sail the course (and finish first) with three guys aboard- when it's usually only two? And didn't some folks in the Tribe say, hey, that ain't exactly kosher???

[RKoch 1,004]

hey yeah so that custom built 22 footer t'was built for last year's race (pretty cool boat, O.H. Rodgers, that cunning devil, designed it)(I took a bunch of pictures of it outta water on its trailer last year at the Ft. DeSoto launching ramp, I'll look for 'em)...zat the same one as be going off this time 'round? "Cause didn't they sail the course (and finish first) with three guys aboard- when it's usually only two? And didn't some folks in the Tribe say, hey, that ain't exactly kosher???

The boat was built for two, and was intended for water ballast in the sides. Before building was done, Watertribe decided to allow up to three aboard, so they ditched plans for water ballast in lieu of a third person. They had to build new racks for three, as the old ones from FrankenScot were built for two and did a lot of creaking with three. Three is a bit of afdvantage over two, but not as much as two is over one. As long as Chief says three is OK, then it's OK.

Here is 2016 start, featuring Spawn. Video by SAist HHN92.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=x0Xof-XqS9M

[couchsurfer 220]

.

 

 

...wow,,, what's the reason to raise the wings so high, makes some sense on a flat cat deck but this only looks good for getting battered in a broach,,,,decappo'd in a gybe!

 

https://youtu.be/x0Xof-XqS9M?t=188

[RKoch 1,004]

.

 

 

...wow,,, what's the reason to raise the wings so high, makes some sense on a flat cat deck but this only looks good for getting battered in a broach,,,,decappo'd in a gybe!

 

https://youtu.be/x0Xof-XqS9M?t=188

Mainly for comfort. You'll be on there for up to 48 hours. Plus the height allows struts underneath for extra support (less overall weight) and the oars operate underneath. They never get near the water.

[Excoded Tom 1,589]

 

 

I think all the AI competitors must be masochists. It's a blast for an hour. Fun for two. After four, I'm always ready to get out of the damn thing. I can't see myself spending days on one.

Wimp! There must be a few gun ranges near the route.

Once you get to the Everglades, there's plenty of gators, crocs, and pythons to shoot. No gun range needed. Prob need a hunting permit. Not sure how you'd carry a dead croc on a TI though.

 

 

It's legal to hunt gators but not in the Park. You have to get a tag and it's only good for a certain area during a set time period. Killing pythons is officially encouraged but again there are Park rules. Crocodiles are protected everywhere. The Rangers would help you carry it after they took your boat.

[~HHN92~ 123]

 

.

 

 

...wow,,, what's the reason to raise the wings so high, makes some sense on a flat cat deck but this only looks good for getting battered in a broach,,,,decappo'd in a gybe!

 

Mainly for comfort. You'll be on there for up to 48 hours. Plus the height allows struts underneath for extra support (less overall weight) and the oars operate underneath. They never get near the water.

 

 

Having sailed on the boat they are at a height that is as comfortable as possible. You can still get wet though but is better than being low. With the twin rudders and size of the rig a broach would be a rare thing and not pleasant no matter the boat, it felt like it has excellent control under power. It was puffy into the high teens the day I was on it and it was never 'iffy' feeling even with the spin up.

.

[redract 0]

 

hey yeah so that custom built 22 footer t'was built for last year's race (pretty cool boat, O.H. Rodgers, that cunning devil, designed it)(I took a bunch of pictures of it outta water on its trailer last year at the Ft. DeSoto launching ramp, I'll look for 'em)...zat the same one as be going off this time 'round? "Cause didn't they sail the course (and finish first) with three guys aboard- when it's usually only two? And didn't some folks in the Tribe say, hey, that ain't exactly kosher???

The boat was built for two, and was intended for water ballast in the sides. Before building was done, Watertribe decided to allow up to three aboard, so they ditched plans for water ballast in lieu of a third person. They had to build new racks for three, as the old ones from FrankenScot were built for two and did a lot of creaking with three. Three is a bit of afdvantage over two, but not as much as two is over one. As long as Chief says three is OK, then it's OK.

Here is 2016 start, featuring Spawn. Video by SAist HHN92.

 

wait a sec here- yeah, having two aboard whatever crafty craft is easier than going solo... isn't that why there are classes for solo or double? but having THREE aboard is MUCH MUCH MUCH easier than two... you can actually set watches, f'gracious sake...

 

and here's the thing that can rub really raw with the Everglades Challenge (aside from them pesky salt water boils), in one sentence: "As long as Chief says three is OK, then it's OK."

 

Well, no matter how kindly your despot is- and everybody does seem to love their Chief, hardass that he is- he is still a despot... I jes' reckon there ain't no democracy ANYWHERE anymore

 

but still, sure seems like going with three t'ain't fair if the boat is in the same class an' racing against boats with only two aboard, is it? (fair? in the same class?)

[F18 Sailor 290]

Tis' an interesting problem, but the other competitors have the same opportunity to go for 3.

 

I'll be following along keenly as one of my spinnakers will be on board said 22 footer for heavy weather running...

[BobBill 120]

The annual Everglades Challenge adventure race starts from the beach at Fort Desoto Park at the mouth of Tampa Bay on Saturday, March 4 at 7:00 am. This year there are 104 boats registered for the ~300 mile "run-what-you-brung" race to Key Largo and another 15 racers in the ~60 mile Ultramarathon to first checkpoint at Cape Haze.

 

There are a few basic boat classes in the EC, ranging from canoes and kayaks to dinghies to multihulls. There are no handicaps and the fastest time wins the class. There are sub-classes for number of crew and male/female.

 

Class 1 are the canoes and kayaks. They can have a small >1m^2 downwind only sail assist, but they mostly paddle. There are 31 class 1 boats entered this year.

 

Class 2 are canoes and kayaks with no sail assist. Because class 2 is harder, there are fewer boats than class 1 at 14 for 2017. The teams I'm going to watch in class 2 this year are the veteran father-son team of IronBob/TheJuice (Robert and Druce Finlay) and world class adventure racers Piglet/AngryFatKid (Jason Magness & Daniel Staudigel). These teams know each other from the adventure race circuit (Eco-Challenge type stuff) and are racing hard to beat each other in a friendly competition.

 

Class 3 are the sailing canoe/kayaks with upwind rigs. Since the Hobie came out with the AI and TI kayaks came out the numbers of these boats has been dwindling, but a few still show up every year. Keep an eye out for Meade Gougeon in his very cool cedar strip sailing canoe.

 

Class 4, small monohull sailboats is my favorite class, mostly because it’s where I’ve been racing since 2011. This year finds a healthy group of 19 boats heading the KL. The overall win in Class 4 will likely be between TwoBeers/Moresailesed in their custom OH Rogers designed Tampa Bay 22 skiff and Skinnygenes/Skinnyjeans in their 50 year old turbo Thistle. You can’t count out the team of SOS/DanceswithSandybottom in their Core Sound 20 either. My favorite in the solo class is former winner and record-holder Roo Graham Byrnes in his Core Sound 17.3.

 

The multihull class 5 has some really strong teams this year, including absolute record holders Bumpy/Machoman (Jamie Livingston/Kenny Pierce) who finished the entire 300 mile course in 26 hours back in 2010. Sewsew (multi-hull legend Randy Smyth) is always one to watch in the solo class.

 

There are also a passle of Hobie AI/TI pedal-sail kayaks in this years event. Forumite ZeroTheHero and his wife are competing in a TI this year.

 

I'm sitting out for the first time since 2013, which is kind of a bummer, but I will be there as a volunteer on Friday and Saturday helping with registration and doing boat and gear inspections for newbies. If folks are in the area, come down to Ft. Desoto starting around 10 am Friday if you want to see the boats and meet the folks. I think you’ll find we’re pretty friendly crew. If you see me, be sure to introduce yourself. I’ll be in a green volunteer t-shirt with my ‘tribal’ name Mistermoon on the back.

 

I’ll post a few pictures and race updates along the way.

 

+1 And I will be watching...Might just shoot for next year, I get the tweaks right, and still "up an' at 'em!

[MisterMoon 312]

 

 

hey yeah so that custom built 22 footer t'was built for last year's race (pretty cool boat, O.H. Rodgers, that cunning devil, designed it)(I took a bunch of pictures of it outta water on its trailer last year at the Ft. DeSoto launching ramp, I'll look for 'em)...zat the same one as be going off this time 'round? "Cause didn't they sail the course (and finish first) with three guys aboard- when it's usually only two? And didn't some folks in the Tribe say, hey, that ain't exactly kosher???

The boat was built for two, and was intended for water ballast in the sides. Before building was done, Watertribe decided to allow up to three aboard, so they ditched plans for water ballast in lieu of a third person. They had to build new racks for three, as the old ones from FrankenScot were built for two and did a lot of creaking with three. Three is a bit of afdvantage over two, but not as much as two is over one. As long as Chief says three is OK, then it's OK.

Here is 2016 start, featuring Spawn. Video by SAist HHN92.

 

wait a sec here- yeah, having two aboard whatever crafty craft is easier than going solo... isn't that why there are classes for solo or double? but having THREE aboard is MUCH MUCH MUCH easier than two... you can actually set watches, f'gracious sake...

 

and here's the thing that can rub really raw with the Everglades Challenge (aside from them pesky salt water boils), in one sentence: "As long as Chief says three is OK, then it's OK."

 

Well, no matter how kindly your despot is- and everybody does seem to love their Chief, hardass that he is- he is still a despot... I jes' reckon there ain't no democracy ANYWHERE anymore

 

but still, sure seems like going with three t'ain't fair if the boat is in the same class an' racing against boats with only two aboard, is it? (fair? in the same class?)

 

There are subsets in the class structure for winners. First Class 4 solo male will earn a "class winner" award (a little laser-etched canoe paddle), as will the first double male, double mixed, and triples. While the winners are admired, there isn't any great glory or prize money attached. Finishing is considered a 'win' by most everybody. Out of over 100 boats last year, I think total finishers were numbered in the high 30s.

 

So far the triple idea hasn't caught on for the EC, with Jeff Linton's team as the only entrant in 2016 and 17. My experience is going solo is very extraordinarily difficult compared to having a second person. In terms of absolute course records, I don't think Spawn's monohull record of 1 day 12 hours from last year should be compared to Alan and Paul Stewart's 48:02 hour record from 2013, or the truly epic solo monohull record by Jarhead (Bill Fite) of 2 days 23 hours. Each record stands on its own as a tremendous achievement.

[RKoch 1,004]

 

 

hey yeah so that custom built 22 footer t'was built for last year's race (pretty cool boat, O.H. Rodgers, that cunning devil, designed it)(I took a bunch of pictures of it outta water on its trailer last year at the Ft. DeSoto launching ramp, I'll look for 'em)...zat the same one as be going off this time 'round? "Cause didn't they sail the course (and finish first) with three guys aboard- when it's usually only two? And didn't some folks in the Tribe say, hey, that ain't exactly kosher???

The boat was built for two, and was intended for water ballast in the sides. Before building was done, Watertribe decided to allow up to three aboard, so they ditched plans for water ballast in lieu of a third person. They had to build new racks for three, as the old ones from FrankenScot were built for two and did a lot of creaking with three. Three is a bit of afdvantage over two, but not as much as two is over one. As long as Chief says three is OK, then it's OK.

Here is 2016 start, featuring Spawn. Video by SAist HHN92.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=x0Xof-XqS9M

wait a sec here- yeah, having two aboard whatever crafty craft is easier than going solo... isn't that why there are classes for solo or double? but having THREE aboard is MUCH MUCH MUCH easier than two... you can actually set watches, f'gracious sake...

 

and here's the thing that can rub really raw with the Everglades Challenge (aside from them pesky salt water boils), in one sentence: "As long as Chief says three is OK, then it's OK."

 

Well, no matter how kindly your despot is- and everybody does seem to love their Chief, hardass that he is- he is still a despot... I jes' reckon there ain't no democracy ANYWHERE anymore

 

but still, sure seems like going with three t'ain't fair if the boat is in the same class an' racing against boats with only two aboard, is it? (fair? in the same class?)

Can't set watches with two? Well shit, I've been doing thousands of miles of offshore double-handed sailing all wrong. I've done solo sailing too...double-handed is much easier.

Chief is a despot. He created WT, and built it to what it is. He never stated it was a Democracy. Don't like his rules, go play elsewhere. He's also permitted 6-man outrigger canoes, and solar-powered boats. So what?

Each class also has divisions for solo, double-handed, male/female, etc. So no, they aren't all racing for the same page in record book. About 90% of the participants aren't racing at all, they just want to finish. And speaking of record book, there's only one solo participant in overall top 10 or 12 fastest times. All the others are double handed, except for Spawn last year (I think they're 4th fastest).

[Excoded Tom 1,589]

 

 

hey yeah so that custom built 22 footer t'was built for last year's race (pretty cool boat, O.H. Rodgers, that cunning devil, designed it)(I took a bunch of pictures of it outta water on its trailer last year at the Ft. DeSoto launching ramp, I'll look for 'em)...zat the same one as be going off this time 'round? "Cause didn't they sail the course (and finish first) with three guys aboard- when it's usually only two? And didn't some folks in the Tribe say, hey, that ain't exactly kosher???

The boat was built for two, and was intended for water ballast in the sides. Before building was done, Watertribe decided to allow up to three aboard, so they ditched plans for water ballast in lieu of a third person. They had to build new racks for three, as the old ones from FrankenScot were built for two and did a lot of creaking with three. Three is a bit of afdvantage over two, but not as much as two is over one. As long as Chief says three is OK, then it's OK.

Here is 2016 start, featuring Spawn. Video by SAist HHN92.

 

wait a sec here- yeah, having two aboard whatever crafty craft is easier than going solo... isn't that why there are classes for solo or double? but having THREE aboard is MUCH MUCH MUCH easier than two... you can actually set watches, f'gracious sake...

 

and here's the thing that can rub really raw with the Everglades Challenge (aside from them pesky salt water boils), in one sentence: "As long as Chief says three is OK, then it's OK."

 

Well, no matter how kindly your despot is- and everybody does seem to love their Chief, hardass that he is- he is still a despot... I jes' reckon there ain't no democracy ANYWHERE anymore

 

but still, sure seems like going with three t'ain't fair if the boat is in the same class an' racing against boats with only two aboard, is it? (fair? in the same class?)

 

 

People who don't care for the kindly despot are free to leave and some have been summarily tossed. 2015's events caused some unfortunate schisms. Oh well.

 

There's nothing stopping anyone from organizing another event. Meanwhile, this one is interesting, despot and all.

 

Some of his decisions are not unwelcome. A few years back, Sew Sew capsized very near the finish. In an effort to be helpful, local cops destroyed his rig with their engine. Had they not helped, he would have righted the boat and continued to finish. IIRC, Chief allowed him to "finish" in a borrowed boat. I don't think anyone complained.

[RKoch 1,004]

 

 

 

hey yeah so that custom built 22 footer t'was built for last year's race (pretty cool boat, O.H. Rodgers, that cunning devil, designed it)(I took a bunch of pictures of it outta water on its trailer last year at the Ft. DeSoto launching ramp, I'll look for 'em)...zat the same one as be going off this time 'round? "Cause didn't they sail the course (and finish first) with three guys aboard- when it's usually only two? And didn't some folks in the Tribe say, hey, that ain't exactly kosher???

The boat was built for two, and was intended for water ballast in the sides. Before building was done, Watertribe decided to allow up to three aboard, so they ditched plans for water ballast in lieu of a third person. They had to build new racks for three, as the old ones from FrankenScot were built for two and did a lot of creaking with three. Three is a bit of afdvantage over two, but not as much as two is over one. As long as Chief says three is OK, then it's OK.

Here is 2016 start, featuring Spawn. Video by SAist HHN92.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=x0Xof-XqS9M

wait a sec here- yeah, having two aboard whatever crafty craft is easier than going solo... isn't that why there are classes for solo or double? but having THREE aboard is MUCH MUCH MUCH easier than two... you can actually set watches, f'gracious sake...

 

and here's the thing that can rub really raw with the Everglades Challenge (aside from them pesky salt water boils), in one sentence: "As long as Chief says three is OK, then it's OK."

 

Well, no matter how kindly your despot is- and everybody does seem to love their Chief, hardass that he is- he is still a despot... I jes' reckon there ain't no democracy ANYWHERE anymore

 

but still, sure seems like going with three t'ain't fair if the boat is in the same class an' racing against boats with only two aboard, is it? (fair? in the same class?)

People who don't care for the kindly despot are free to leave and some have been summarily tossed. 2015's events caused some unfortunate schisms. Oh well.

 

There's nothing stopping anyone from organizing another event. Meanwhile, this one is interesting, despot and all.

 

Some of his decisions are not unwelcome. A few years back, Sew Sew capsized very near the finish. In an effort to be helpful, local cops destroyed his rig with their engine. Had they not helped, he would have righted the boat and continued to finish. IIRC, Chief allowed him to "finish" in a borrowed boat. I don't think anyone complained.

It's interesting that none of the complainers have even attempted to start a rival organization. And if they ever do, I suspect it wouldn't be a 'democracy' either.

[r.finn 409]

One of my favorite races with my least favorite tracker.

[Turtle 1]

Wonder if forss could whip something better up? : )

[RKoch 1,004]

One of my favorite races with my least favorite tracker.

Yeah, the tracker is often sketchy. I understand there's a backup tracker this year, but I don't have the web address. In the past, I've followed the tracker, the WT facebook page, and the facebook pages of several of the participants. Combined, it usually gives a pretty good sense of how things are going down. I don't know why they don't use a better tracker. It sure would boost the 'hits' and public interest.

[Blue Crab 1,282]

The pythons would make me miss naptime.

[couchsurfer 220]

I don't know why they don't use a better tracker. It sure would boost the 'hits' and public interest.

...For the power a tracker uses, a 'boost to hits and interest' would likely jam a new, more powerful tracker 😐

[RKoch 1,004]

 

I don't know why they don't use a better tracker. It sure would boost the 'hits' and public interest.

...For the power a tracker uses, a 'boost to hits and interest' would likely jam a new, more powerful tracker 😐

The R2AK tracker works well most of the time, only once in a while did it get overloaded. I think the clickers on it are much greater in number than EC. Don't see why it wouldn't work.

[Excoded Tom 1,589]

 

 

 

 

hey yeah so that custom built 22 footer t'was built for last year's race (pretty cool boat, O.H. Rodgers, that cunning devil, designed it)(I took a bunch of pictures of it outta water on its trailer last year at the Ft. DeSoto launching ramp, I'll look for 'em)...zat the same one as be going off this time 'round? "Cause didn't they sail the course (and finish first) with three guys aboard- when it's usually only two? And didn't some folks in the Tribe say, hey, that ain't exactly kosher???

The boat was built for two, and was intended for water ballast in the sides. Before building was done, Watertribe decided to allow up to three aboard, so they ditched plans for water ballast in lieu of a third person. They had to build new racks for three, as the old ones from FrankenScot were built for two and did a lot of creaking with three. Three is a bit of afdvantage over two, but not as much as two is over one. As long as Chief says three is OK, then it's OK.

Here is 2016 start, featuring Spawn. Video by SAist HHN92.

wait a sec here- yeah, having two aboard whatever crafty craft is easier than going solo... isn't that why there are classes for solo or double? but having THREE aboard is MUCH MUCH MUCH easier than two... you can actually set watches, f'gracious sake...

 

and here's the thing that can rub really raw with the Everglades Challenge (aside from them pesky salt water boils), in one sentence: "As long as Chief says three is OK, then it's OK."

 

Well, no matter how kindly your despot is- and everybody does seem to love their Chief, hardass that he is- he is still a despot... I jes' reckon there ain't no democracy ANYWHERE anymore

 

but still, sure seems like going with three t'ain't fair if the boat is in the same class an' racing against boats with only two aboard, is it? (fair? in the same class?)

People who don't care for the kindly despot are free to leave and some have been summarily tossed. 2015's events caused some unfortunate schisms. Oh well.

 

There's nothing stopping anyone from organizing another event. Meanwhile, this one is interesting, despot and all.

 

Some of his decisions are not unwelcome. A few years back, Sew Sew capsized very near the finish. In an effort to be helpful, local cops destroyed his rig with their engine. Had they not helped, he would have righted the boat and continued to finish. IIRC, Chief allowed him to "finish" in a borrowed boat. I don't think anyone complained.

It's interesting that none of the complainers have even attempted to start a rival organization. And if they ever do, I suspect it wouldn't be a 'democracy' either.

 

 

Well, there is UnderWaterTribe on FB, which is good for some amusement.

[Excoded Tom 1,589]

 

One of my favorite races with my least favorite tracker.

Yeah, the tracker is often sketchy. I understand there's a backup tracker this year, but I don't have the web address. In the past, I've followed the tracker, the WT facebook page, and the facebook pages of several of the participants. Combined, it usually gives a pretty good sense of how things are going down. I don't know why they don't use a better tracker. It sure would boost the 'hits' and public interest.

 

 

As a Speck Tater the attitude I have encountered is more "tolerant" than encouraging of interest by non-participants. I'm pretty sure that's not the goal here.

[RKoch 1,004]

The pythons would make me miss naptime.

[RKoch 1,004]

 

 

One of my favorite races with my least favorite tracker.

Yeah, the tracker is often sketchy. I understand there's a backup tracker this year, but I don't have the web address. In the past, I've followed the tracker, the WT facebook page, and the facebook pages of several of the participants. Combined, it usually gives a pretty good sense of how things are going down. I don't know why they don't use a better tracker. It sure would boost the 'hits' and public interest.

As a Speck Tater the attitude I have encountered is more "tolerant" than encouraging of interest by non-participants. I'm pretty sure that's not the goal here.

The impression I get is that Chief is still operating under the premise of 'under the radar'. OK in the beginning, when it was just a dozen kayakers. That train left the station long ago, however. There's been countless newspaper and magazine stories, residents living along the ICW know what's going on, more mainstream 'establishment' sailors are participating, many (if not most) of the participants have social media pages, and there's a shitload of YouTube videos which Chief himself encourages. He may in future decide to put a cap on entries to keep things manageable (and authorities happy), but public awareness will only increase imo. That's not a bad thing, if it's planned for and accommodated. When you look at events like EC and R2AK and see their popularity and public following, and compare to 'mainstream' sailing events which are losing participation and have zero public interest, then you have to conclude they're doing SOMETHING right.

[MisterMoon 312]

Not under the radar any more. The USCG issues and event permit for the EC, and the NPS is fully aware of group passing through the Everglades NP. We are required to have safety boats for the Tampa Bay ship channel crossing at the start. WT is a business, so growth is generally a good thing. What needs to happen however is to make some of the other events more self-sustaining with greater participation. The NC event has been moved from September to June this year, which will hopefully help it get more momentum after a couple of years of issue with terrible weather and hurricanes.

[Blue Crab 1,282]

I've been wondering when the impact of the pythons would become an issue. That time has obviously come. Thanks for the photo.

[RKoch 1,004]

Moon, I agree that the NC event has probably been hurt by weather. Hope the date change improves participation. I know several sailors in the Carolinas that would probably do it, if the prep and $ weren't for naught due to a weather cancellation. Linton has said several times he'd like to do the NC event, but hasn't been able to work it into his schedule yet. Spawn was designed to fit under the NC bridge.

[Norse Horse 611]

Looking forward to following the race, thx OP

http://www.watertribe.com/Events/ShowRosters.aspx

 

Some other notable entrants include;

 

GadgetGirl in the Weta solo, looking for a better finish. Has a solo male entry to match race against.

2 Angus Rowcruisers, one an expedition

2 Bark Custom SUP

Newport 16, registered as an antique...

2 decked sailing canoes

Josh Collins SUP, will he be allowed to do R2AK 2017?

Thistles and Coresounds, my favs

[Stank 0]

 

The pythons would make me miss naptime.

 

 

 

Um, that's just the baby snake..... sh$t's real now... my FWC buddy said he's seen stuff from his airboat that would make you wish to stay out of any sawgrass..

[Blue Crab 1,282]

Time to change the name of the Shark River.

 

Unfortunately.

[RKoch 1,004]

If I was taking the Wilderness Waterway, I think I'd be keeping a sharp machete close at hand.

[RKoch 1,004]

 

Thanks for the thread, Mister Moon. Over the past couple days, the weather forecast has stabilized to a prediction of brisk NE winds at the start...15-18, gusting into the 20s. Tide will be coming in, dead against the wind. Crossing Tampa Bay will be rough, identical conditions to 2015. Hopefully the small sailboats and 'yakkers will be better prepared. Wind should shift east and ease off a bit as day goes on. Boats taking Gulf route will find smooth water if they stay fairly close to beach.

There is quite a formidable lineup for overall first to finish. Besides the absolute record-holding Tornado, there's a second Tornado, a Prindle 19, and several 22'ish custom multihulls in addition to Randy's boat. If the multihulls falter, the monohulls to set the pace are as Mister Moon described... the Turbo Thistle, the CoreSound 20 (and three CS 17s), and the Tampa Bay 22, which is a 500 lb plywood skiff with racks sporting a Melges 20 rig and carbon oars and sliding seat.

My prediction is Bumpy/Lumpy set a new overall record in their Tornado, Randy Smythe sets a new solo record, and the TB22 finishes third, futher lowering their monohull record.

Tide will be approaching high slack....not like 2 years ago when it was dead low with a strong incoming tide against the breeze....I'll be there Friday afternoon getting out the rigs

Theres a slack period, but essentially coming in from midnight to 5pm.

https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/noaatidepredictions/viewDailyPredictions.jsp?bmon=03&bday=05&byear=2017&timelength=daily&timeZone=2&dataUnits=1&datum=MLLW&timeUnits=2&interval=highlow&Threshold=greaterthanequal&thresholdvalue=&format=Submit&Stationid=8726347

[RKoch 1,004]

I'm going to stroll the beach and do some meet and greets Friday aft. Last year took an outboard to Stump Pass and caught the leaders coming in. That was pretty cool. Busy this sat, and the boats might be at CP1 in record time. Accu-weather predictions have been pretty consistant the past few days, showing NE wind in upper teens gusting to 30ish. IDK if it will be THAT strong, but it'll def be a breezy ride. Predictions for Key Largo sun, mon, and tues pretty dismal...hooning out of the east. Gonna be a brutal slog to windward for sailors and paddlers alike crossing Florida Bay.

[RKoch 1,004]

Sat tides at Egmont Key, near the start.

[CrazyR 36]

Some of my favorite photos from 2009

[BobBill 120]

Didn't USCG shut it down last season for weather?

[BobBill 120]

 

Didn't USCG shut it down last season for weather?

year before last....the starting beach was in the lee and it was a dead low tide that began to flood in strong against a breeze of only around 15 with gusts. It was my first time checking out the boats the afternoon before and I was shocked by some of the rag tag boats a handful of did get in trouble crossing the bay. Last year the boats all seemed properly set up for the challenge

 

Yes, Thanks. Seems like yesterday. Glad it was not ruled out, so to speak.

[Mikey Don’t Like Sh*t 97]

It's going to be tough year for sure. With the strong breeze out of the NE and clocking to the E, Florida Bay is going to have all of the water blown out of it. Only the fastest boats will have a chance to go east early, and then ride the header to push them south. Anyone that goes south early is going to be hating life on Sun/Mon.

[MisterMoon 312]

It's going to be tough year for sure. With the strong breeze out of the NE and clocking to the E, Florida Bay is going to have all of the water blown out of it. Only the fastest boats will have a chance to go east early, and then ride the header to push them south. Anyone that goes south early is going to be hating life on Sun/Mon.

Pretty much the same forecast as we had last year, which was a tough year with very few finishers. These conditions make for a pretty quick ride to Cape Sable. But once you turn the corner towards Flamingo things start getting difficult. Last year the fast sailboats were able to get across FL Bay via the short route before the wind clocked E. I'm not so sure we'll see that happen again this year and everyone but the kayakers will be going around the long way.

 

Shout out to the paddlers: As hard as it can be to sail around the long way, I still can't imagine setting out in a kayak 36 miles across FL Bay into a 25 knot headwind where there are NO places to stop and rest along the way.

 

Another wrinkle on the first segment has arisen at Stump Pass just before the first checkpoint at Cape Haze. As of this week, they've commenced dredging operations there, with what sounds like lots of floating pipe blocking off the north approaches to the pass. The preferred route in at Stump in a NE wind is to surf over north bar instead of the channel which starts SW and travels NE. With the dredge and pipe potentially blocking the way, it could be a bigger challenge than usual this year. I would not want to arrive there in the dark. Chief is giving a briefing at the skipper's meeting tomorrow and I'll wager we'll see lots more than the normal number of sailors taking the slower but less risky route down the ICW to CP1. In talking to a couple of friends, they are already leaning in that direction.

[SCANAS 527]

 

It's going to be tough year for sure. With the strong breeze out of the NE and clocking to the E, Florida Bay is going to have all of the water blown out of it. Only the fastest boats will have a chance to go east early, and then ride the header to push them south. Anyone that goes south early is going to be hating life on Sun/Mon.

I still can't imagine setting out in a kayak 36 miles across FL Bay into a 25 knot headwind where there are NO places to stop and rest along the way.

10 years & two weeks ago Andrew McAuley spent a month crossing the Tasman Sea (between Australia & NZ 800nm) in a Kayak. Just depends how big your balls are & what they are made of. In Andrew's case, a pair the size of basket balls & made from solid Chromium.

[BobBill 120]

Maybe brass balls? I need help, why would one be in the dumps Su or Mo? Sailing is sailing... or is this naive swab missing something?

[RKoch 1,004]

Maybe brass balls? I need help, why would one be in the dumps Su or Mo? Sailing is sailing... or is this naive swab missing something?

Dead upwind in 20-30. Florida Bay is about 1-2' deep, extensive flats, with narrow twisting swash channels about 3-4' deep on the most direct route. Poorly marked, no landmarks to speak of...just scattered mangroves that all look the same. It's very eerie. Easterly wind blows the water out of the bay. Sailboats have to take the long way around, heading south from Flamingo to the north shore of the Keys, then follow a channel ENE to Key Largo. Sailors will already be fatigued, and then have to beat upwind in a strong breeze in unballasted boats, navigate (possibly in the dark). Bigger boats will be OK, it'll be hell for the smaller boats, maybe taking them 2 days to make the 50 miles. Usually the toughest part of the EC.

I think the wind eases up over Tuesday night. Might see sailboats and yakkers congregating at Cape Sable or Flamingo to wait out the weather for a day or two before the crossing.

[BobBill 120]

Mr. Koch. I dig...much thanks. I figure shallow, but shallow and channels...I can see the pain. I have Malibu Outrigger sort of boat...have to think on that and snakes. Thanks again.

[RKoch 1,004]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PeudMaFRhHs

[MisterMoon 312]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PeudMaFRhHs

 

TheJuice! He and his dad IronBob are some hard core, tough dudes. Nice guys, too.

[Kenny Dumas 211]

Similar forecast to last year. We were a couple hours late getting off the beach, rigging a new screacher on the TI. Had a great sail outside but didn't think coming in Stump Pass for the first time, at night, was a good idea. Came in at Venice and had a great dinner at the Crows Nest. CP1 next morning down the ICW was a reasonable route. Looks like Florida Bay will suck, but that's what it does best eh?

[RKoch 1,004]

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PeudMaFRhHs

TheJuice! He and his dad IronBob are some hard core, tough dudes. Nice guys, too.

4 of the top 12 times for Div 2 (racing kayaks, no sail). Their best time was last year, 3 days, 13 hours. Yea, they're animals.

[sail(plane) 99]

 

 

I don't know why they don't use a better tracker. It sure would boost the 'hits' and public interest.

...For the power a tracker uses, a 'boost to hits and interest' would likely jam a new, more powerful tracker

The R2AK tracker works well most of the time, only once in a while did it get overloaded. I think the clickers on it are much greater in number than EC. Don't see why it wouldn't work.

 

 

This has been addressed:

 

http://watertribe.org/forums/topic/alternative-tracking-system-up-and-running

 

http://raceowl.com/EC2017

[RKoch 1,004]

Similar forecast to last year. We were a couple hours late getting off the beach, rigging a new screacher on the TI. Had a great sail outside but didn't think coming in Stump Pass for the first time, at night, was a good idea. Came in at Venice and had a great dinner at the Crows Nest. CP1 next morning down the ICW was a reasonable route. Looks like Florida Bay will suck, but that's what it does best eh?

Good call. Stump Pass requires some local knowledge/scouting in advance. I was there in an OB early aft as the leaders came in, high tide, and they were able to take the swash channel from the north. A bit trickier at low tide in dark, have to take the channel approaching from south. Hitting the bar probably would have knocked out your pedal drive. Even at high tide we had to take the south channel. Moon reported upthread there is currently a dredge and pipeline blocking the northern swash channel.

[RKoch 1,004]

Team Spawn is rigging up at the boat ramp. Looks like foot rests/spray shields have been added since last year.

[RKoch 1,004]

By the time the leeward rack hits the water, you're already capsized. Boat doesn't have a 'round-up' problem, it's pretty docile off the wind. You're forgetting it has a centerboard...easy to pick it up part way to balance the CLR.

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wIpm6u0pNlo

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8GIR5J-Qjc8

[~HHN92~ 123]

By the time the leeward rack hits the water, you're already capsized. Boat doesn't have a 'round-up' problem, it's pretty docile off the wind. You're forgetting it has a centerboard...easy to pick it up part way to balance the CLR.

 

 

 

The boat does not load-up, it speeds-up, so that the chance of wiping-out is pretty low unless something really mondo comes along.

 

As I noted above, I sailed on it one day with puffs in the high teens to 20 and it was very stable.

[RKoch 1,004]

Here's some vid from aboard FrankenScot in 2014. Florida Bay is in part 2...it's ugly.

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gysVX948iKY

[BobBill 120]

Here's some vid from aboard FrankenScot in 2014. Florida Bay is in part 2...it's ugly.

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gysVX948iKY

I agree, 'tis ugly. But they have been! Not my cuppa, me thinks!

[Steam Flyer 5,644]

Best

 

Thread

 

Ever

 

!!

 

Thanks y'all

 

FB- Doug

[BobBill 120]

Maybe, Flyer. But the one re Craigslist boats is fun too. Crazy stuff we have seen there.

[BobBill 120]

I do have a question.

 

After reading the rules etc, couple of times actually, I wonder...

 

Do the kayakers put stashes up along way or plan supplied rests or just tough it out 24-end?

 

Not knocking it, just thinking of kayak madness, of course I am over 35 etc and know hell is exothermic!

[REW 58]

No stashes. Supplies are carried for the duration...other than water which is refilled at CP's or wherever one chooses. Stops anywhere are allowed and cash and credit cards can be spent.

 

Only thing we've ever bought are ice cream bars, and the best "lousy" cheeseburger in the world at Flamingo checkpoint. It's one of those gut bombs that you cook in the microwave, but after 250 miles it's a feast.

 

rew

[BobBill 120]

So you have "planned pit stops." I figured but must be near retail centers, not in boonies...thanks.

[RKoch 1,004]

So you have "planned pit stops." I figured but must be near retail centers, not in boonies...thanks.

There are three checkpoints, which have fresh water and limited food. You can stop anywhere along the route to buy whatever provisions or repair parts needed. You cannot have pre-staged supply drops or a 'shore team' that delivers parts or supplies.

[Excoded Tom 1,589]

So you have "planned pit stops." I figured but must be near retail centers, not in boonies...thanks.

 

 

Hee hee. Not familiar with Flamingo, FL, I guess?

 

To get more "in the boonies" within the state you'd have to look in the Ocala National Forest area.

[RKoch 1,004]

 

So you have "planned pit stops." I figured but must be near retail centers, not in boonies...thanks.

 

Hee hee. Not familiar with Flamingo, FL, I guess?

 

To get more "in the boonies" within the state you'd have to look in the Ocala National Forest area.

Haven't been to Flamingo in a long time, I think the little motel even closed? IIRC it had extensive hurricane damage. Just the Ranger Station and 'Resturant' now?

[Tboned 2]

According to the Weather Channel, it's blowing NE at 16G25 right now, supposed to be more of the same tomorrow for the whole day, temp 51 at sunrise, warming to a bout 75 later.

 

I hope we don't have a repeat of 2015 where the CG pulled the plug due to a few guys getting in over their heads (literally).

 

Should be a great downwind/broad reach across the bay for some, going to be pretty wet for the kayakers.

 

Good luck men!

[Excoded Tom 1,589]

According to the Weather Channel, it's blowing NE at 16G25 right now, supposed to be more of the same tomorrow for the whole day, temp 51 at sunrise, warming to a bout 75 later.

 

I hope we don't have a repeat of 2015 where the CG pulled the plug due to a few guys getting in over their heads (literally).

 

Should be a great downwind/broad reach across the bay for some, going to be pretty wet for the kayakers.

 

Good luck men!

 

The CG was caught off guard in 2015 and were pissed when they started getting called to rescue those "in trouble" in Tampa Bay.

 

I use quotes because at least a couple of those were not really in trouble at all and self-rescued before the official rescue arrived (pissing off the Coasties even more).

 

Not surprising. If I were out in Tampa Bay on a day like that and saw someone swimming beside a kayak, I would probably react by calling the USCG too. I'd have no way of knowing that the kayaker was actually very accomplished and teaches people how to get out of those situations.

 

By the time the plug was pulled in 2015, I was posting live pics of the racers heading down the ICW on Facebook. The danger was over.

 

This time there will be no surprise, no sudden need to deploy every official rescue craft in the area, and Watertribe has safety boats that will be on Tampa Bay. There won't be a repeat of 2015.

[Tboned 2]

Excellent, then it should be a really fast first day, no doubt! I'll be following the tracker on Randy's boat. I got an up close look at it (Scissors) at a regatta in Sarasota a while ago, not sure how it will do in bigger waves but it was fast on Sarasota bay in some good wind. Will you be posting pictures of the boats on the beach tonight or tomorrow?

[Excoded Tom 1,589]

Excellent, then it should be a really fast first day, no doubt! I'll be following the tracker on Randy's boat. I got an up close look at it (Scissors) at a regatta in Sarasota a while ago, not sure how it will do in bigger waves but it was fast on Sarasota bay in some good wind. Will you be posting pictures of the boats on the beach tonight or tomorrow?

 

I will probably put a few pics on Facebook tomorrow morning from the beach but don't expect to be home until pretty late.

 

This race is definitely a situation in which the Facebook haters are really missing out. Lots of people contribute to and comment on the WT FB page.

 

I won't put any images on my own site nor screw with any video until I get home and maybe not even then.

 

The last time I got a Round Tuit was 2013. 2014 I was too busy. 2015 the less said the better. 2016 still too busy and my plan to intercept the fleet at the mouth of Tampa Bay was ill-conceived and poorly executed so it barely worked at all. 2017 is not looking like a year to spend time on it either. If I ever do get a Round Tuit again I'll have a multi-year backlog of pictures and video.

[Excoded Tom 1,589]

This image updates regularly so the one you see may not be the one on which I'm commenting, but...

 

 

When the little wind arrows look like that, all the water is gone from all my favorite places in Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound. The same thing happens in Chokoloskee Bay and Florida Bay. There won't be much, if any, water in the (normally) shallow spots until about Tuesday or Wednesday.

[CrazyR 36]

 

 

So you have "planned pit stops." I figured but must be near retail centers, not in boonies...thanks.

 

Hee hee. Not familiar with Flamingo, FL, I guess?

 

To get more "in the boonies" within the state you'd have to look in the Ocala National Forest area.

Haven't been to Flamingo in a long time, I think the little motel even closed? IIRC it had extensive hurricane damage. Just the Ranger Station and 'Resturant' now?

As I remember? Or not? I think that motel is reopen. At least I had this impression last year. Flamingo looked like being back to normal.

To BobBill.

first half of the course is next to populated area. Resorts, houses, marinas etc. It dwindles down do one huge nothingness after Marco island, 40 miles prior to checkpoint 2. There is nothing but swamps, beaches, mosquitos, alligators or crocs, and sharks depending on chosen route between checkpoint 2 and 3. Checkpoint 3, Flamingo, is a little outpost in heart of Everglades National Park. From Flamingo to Key Largo is 30 miles as crow flies, (realistically 50-60 miles for sailboat) of surreal Florida Bay. In nice weather it feels like sailing a grass field. The place has that out-of-our-world feeling, may be because we all arrive there sleep deprived and beaten up. Anyway, about everyone reported some "spiritual" experience there, I have had most spectacular hallucinations in Florida Bay...

See, it is all about "the fix"

[BobBill 120]

Tom, me not a Face...-hater, I just treasure anonymity and time; as you will...

[BobBill 120]

Sizzor looks slick, until we get to second day...I do like it. Foam ama's...PM me if so, no reason to side track thread.

[Excoded Tom 1,589]

Randy~~~~~2017 EC

 

The first time I went to the start it was to see Sizzor.

 

Tomorrow I'm going up again mostly to see that wing in person.

 

I wish they still had the low bridge. I wonder how he'd handle that?

[Excoded Tom 1,589]

Or maybe I'll make a new plan for tomorrow.

 

Weather Hold

[CrazyR 36]

 

Randy~~~~~2017 EC

 

The first time I went to the start it was to see Sizzor.

 

Tomorrow I'm going up again mostly to see that wing in person.

 

I wish they still had the low bridge. I wonder how he'd handle that?

He did OK in 2009 . The year Sizzor was born.

http://watertribecrazyrussian.blogspot.com/2009/03/everglades-challenge-2009-checkpoint-1.html?m=1