Another F18 has just signed up, making 3 total. I get the feeling that at least 1 of the F18's are going to back out, maybe even 2.
We've got 12 I20's signed up, which is 3 more than last year, so maybe things are on the upswing for Tybee?
The SI's were also just posted, so check them out if you'll be following or racing in the 2007 Tybee 500.
www.tybee500.com

Thanks to the mods for tybee500.com for keeping it running...

I have always been curious about these races, is it just a "run what you brung" kinda race or do they have specific boats allowed.

I20's and F18's

Gree, go wach the videos of last year's race and you'll get the gist of it.

The videos can be found on the "Videos" section of this website.

Tryed to get them to accept my modified 18. At first it was a yes, two weeks later a no. Seems some F18 sailors were concerned about a '82 18 dressed up like an F18. I wanted to do it for nostalgic reasons, could care less about results.
Whatever!!

At one time, the Worrell was full of custom creations. The Tybee creators have been pretty focused on having class racing. Logistically, having boats of widely varying performance can be an issue for the race committee when spread over such a large distance.

I think we have AdventureOnline.TV for their video production to thank for some of the additional participation!

Trey,

Thanks for the heads up about the revised sailing instructions. I'm still confused about one thing though.

"...you must now have a 406 Mhz EPIRB"

Will a 406 Mhz PLB like the ACR Aquafix or the ResQfix satisfy this requirement? These things aren't cheap, and I don't want to show up at the race and find out they won't be allowed.

Also, anyone know if we have any sponsors for the race this year? I've noticed that Power Aide is no longer on the website banner.

Is adventure online going to be coming out for the race this year?

Alec

AdventureOnline will not be tagging along this year. I'm sure they will send cameras though with some teams (right BK?)

The Aquafix and ResQfix I do believe will meet the requirements, but you may want to send an email to Chuch Bargeron to be sure. If you do not have his contact info, pm me or call me (919)-302-0880, and I'll give it to you.
As for sponsors, I'm sure Chucky has something up his sleeve, along with Tybee Island Tourism and a handful of other annual faithfuls to the race. But if you want to make a huge donation to the race, I'm sure he wouldn't mind <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I haven't spoken to Chuck but I can 99.9% assure you that the 406Mhz PLB's will satisfy the race requirement - it's what we will have (we rented ours).

AdventureOnline.TV will not be covering the entire race but I hear they are planning on covering a few stops.

Sadly, and a mistake in my opinion, the organizer of the Tybee 500 has decided that the video coverage last year does not have tangible value. I predicted last year that the coverage would result in a reversal of the declining participation - it looks like I was right about that. I now predict fewer boats next year if there isn't something for the internet spectator to view. Individual team blogs are great and I'll have them all bookmarked as always, but what Brian offered was cool - I may have been the goofball in front of the camera, but it was the guys behind the camera that made last year's coverage, advertising, DVD and promotional material so entertaining. I will miss it this year.

Agree. Huge mistake. You going to make me read about it. NG.

John,

Watching the adventure online production of the 2005 Tybee race is what got me hooked onto the race from the beginning. I still remember watching it on TV and going WOW, that looks like a lot of fun! I want to do that! I teamed up with another good sailor in my local fleet and bought on I20 that winter. Keith and I spent the entire 2006 sailing season practicing on the new boat, and you can bet, I watched all of the 2006 Tybee videos countless times. I can honestly say, the Adventure Online footage is what got me off the couch to actually do this race, otherwise it would still be a "I hope to do it someday" kind of thing.

Alec

That warms the **** of my heart. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Big bummer. One thing to remove from the list of bennies to our sponsors...

As if it wasn't hard enough to convince a potential sponsor to help.

Yes, 406mhz PLBs like the ACR Resqfix or Aquafix satisfy the EPIRB requirement for the Tybee 500 as long as they are registered and the batteries are in date.

Regards,
Bill
Tybee500 RC

Thanks Bill

An update....

Adventure Online TV has been promised a small budget today to provide some coverage of this years race. We wont have the full crew along every day, but we are trying to get someone at each stop. Videos will be posted to the Tybee 500 website, although most likely wont be posted the same day.

The Team-Formally-Known-As-Castrol leader Jay Sonneklar is also setting up the helicopter once again for the first day. Jay Rocks! This is the second year that Jay has set up the helicopter.

Brian

Make sure you have the talent booked.

You might need to keep a hair sylist on hand 24/7 as well... I dunno maybe a squirrel herder too. Just to be safe.
<img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

you guys might wanna swing by Miami and check out Groupama 3 thats going to be docked there. If the weather window is right, they might be out there doing the Miami-New York record run while you guys are skipping up the coast in your 400lbs barges.