Myself and several others had a discussion with Chuck and Larry at the end of Tradewinds about this. Chuck talked about the postcard poll but was not clear on whether it would be for a 500 or what. My impression was it was for the 500. I think there needs to be a clear few options out there that are passed on to Larry rather than all the various ideas that have been proposed here. I respect Chuck and think he did an amazing job with running the Tybee when he had the appropriate resources in sponsorship. He has said to do it right again he would need serious sponsors. I believe the most important thing that wasn't done in the last Tybee especially was promotion prior to the event. Definitely not like it had been done in earlier Tybees and during the Worrell. Times have changed since then and it should be even easier to promote to the catamaran community through the internet.
As others have said, I can't speak for all the New England guys. But we have discussed this a lot and most of those interested, including myself are up for a 1000, possibly the second 500, or nothing. I think we all have the been there done that feeling with the Tybee, plus it's more expensive and takes more time to get further south to South Florida. Personally and I think others are of the same atitude that we want to experience and accomplish sailing the later 500 miles. Our focus definitely seems to be buoy, largely because there is always a guarenteed good sized fleet. If there was a guarenteed sizable fleet (like the 2nd to last Tybee) there would be a lot more incentive. If the fleet was there I believe 4-8 boat would come from New England.
