How did you get started in distance racing? How did you prepare for your first race?



I've had my fair share of round the mark races, they bore me and I've never been all that great at them. From what I read, it seems that distance races are more to my suiting. (They may not be, thats why I'm asking you guys)



I've learned to sail on the chesapeake bay, and now reside in central NC where a "distance" race could be considered scooting across jordan lake. What do you all suggest I do to start preparing to enter some of these races?

www.sailcrac.com

Maugan,



My first distance race was RTI last year. I was fully prepared with flare gun, VHF radio, throwable PFD, plenty of energy bars and water, sunscreen, etc. The wind was not so good to us that year and it took us 22 hours + on my 5.2 - but finishing is 40% of the battle. There's some pretty detailed lists out there for what to prepare for and I'm sure there was one on this forum a while back. My point is, nothing will destroy a good time on a distance race like not being prepared. I plan to do RTI for a long time coming...it's the ultimate and quite a thrill!

See one thing I'm scared about is racing against the spi boats. I'm afraid my lil unirig would be lost amongst the speedy spi boats.



I wish I could make these events, they always seem to fall on bad weekends for me

Distance racing is the way to go if you ask me. You can mess up a few times and not get pummeled like you do on a bouy course. If you mess up the start? So what, you have 10 or so hours to make up for it. It was the distance racing that hooked my wife on sailing. I especially like the distance racing that involves camping over night, lots of good friendships are formed. Here is a short list of absolute essentials you must have with you: VHF, cash, paddle, flares, twice as much water as you think you need, snacks that taste good wet, GPS (not mandatory, but nice in case you are in the lead), bright flashlight (in case the sun goes down and you are looking for channel markers or trying not to get run over by a barge), good multitool, small spare parts. All of this will fit into a small drybag that takes up little room on your tramp. Hope this helps.



Goo dluck

You may also try yourself in adventure races, hold by Watertribe www.watertribe.com

Races aimed to small boat cruising community, and they are NOT sailboat races, you can bring any small boat as kayak, canoe, monohull dinghy or catamaran. They have some intentional filters to keep boat size down and slow down fast sailboats– such as beach start from highest watermark, and, on Everglades course, fixed bridges and long passes to get in and out of checkpoints. Races are self-supporting, no ground crew, no motels, no sandy beaches. You have 8 days to complete 300 miles course. No race postponing because of bad weather. Races proved to be grueling, on the first E-Challenge(Tampa – Key Largo) we have small craft advisory with winds 30+ knots first 3 days, on the second E-Challenge we had small craft advisory 6 days out of 8. On the Lake Michigan course (from Manistee to Tawas Point around northern point of Michigan) we’ve been crossing Grand Traverse bay in 20+knots winds and 6’+ seas.

You afraid to get lost behind spi boats, well, there are some world class paddlers capable of average speed of 6 knots regardless of conditions and finishing a race in 3 –4 days, it can be painful to see them passing you

We would like to see more sailors in Watertribe Challenges. Website contains a lot of info about surviving on a water, it can be useful for Catamaran long distance racers too.

Regards

Vladimir(Known as CrazyRussian)

2-nd overall and 1-st solo in 2002 LM Challenge

Hi

Suggest teaming up with another skipper for a few distance races ,--maybe on a spin boat which requires the skill of 2 good catsailors , sounds like your a fairly accomplished skipper . There are usually a number looking to team up , and getting used to a GPS charts ,safety equipement food and water takes a little time .

A great race this May will be the Tybee 500 ,-if you find an experienced team and have a week vacation time , but again would suggest a few shorter races first .

There is info on the proposed Tybee Island race with dates and checkpoints on the distance racing forum heading -for any interested .

Sail safe and have fun

Carl Roberts

Is anyone familiar with any distance racing on Lake Michigan. I have never seen anything on my side of the lake from CRAW here in Wisconsin, but perhapse the CRAM people in Michigan have something.

Hi Paul



2 years ago we had the Mich.-100 up the Lake MI COASTLINE

Great time ,we had some good seas and wind the second day .A little different crowd shows up for distance racing , but its all great fun .

A few of us have preliminary plans to renew the Lake Mi distance race in 03 .

CRAM has its biz meeting and banquet Oct 26 ,-and will set the race schedule for 03 .

Tentatively we are considering racing up the coastline from Muskegon starting Mon morning after the Cat Fight 4 regatta to Lk Charlivoix over 4 days in a mini Worrell type format with a layday then the Charliviox Red Fox regatta with numerous classes of all types of sailing craft . Kind of a triathalon of sailing , inc all 3 events ,all or any part .

We do not want to conflict with other events so will meet latter this year to make definate plans ,-

Will keep all updated as it progresses .



Carl

If you are willing to make the drive, the Miami-Key Largo in the spring is a great first distance race. It is held in protected waters (Biscayne Bay), draws about 200 boats of all sizes and speeds, and a great party after. The distance is around 45 miles. The only consideration is you need to have someone to drive your trailer down or catch a ride back to Miami to pick it up.

I and another Rave sailor are considering doing the Miami to Key Largo race but instead of having someone drive the car w/trailer down to Key Largo we are thinking of spending the night and sailing back up to Miami the next day. I'm just concerned about where I could leave the car and trailer where it would still be in one piece when we return to Miami.

Well another issue that I have is being a full time student. I can't just ditch my classes, as much as I'd like to. Planning a long weekend takes some crafty skills and syllabus manipulation. For my first distance race, I'd like to try some familiar waters first, perhaps on the NC coast. There are plenty of them, I know, but I usually find out about these things a couple days in advance :-/

or, sail back to Miami. Cats can finish in under three hours, it's is usually a drag race down the bay white knuckle style. I agree, this is a great way to check out LD races. There is a lot of boats (support) and it is a very well defined course.

I just looked under the schedules and NOR's listing and didn't see the miami->largo race listed.



Is there anywhere else I can get more info?



Thanks.

On the Chesapeake/West River this weekend! It'll be a "medium" distance race - you'll get a taste of distance racing without the ground crew! Check out the WRCRA link below.

http://www.miamiyachtclub.net/index-2.htm

Go to the calendar. 2003 is not listed yet, but this year it was April 20th, Saturday. Ut is the same time every year.

don't worry about the spin boats...at RTI at least, non spin boats get their own start 30 minutes before the spin boats. You will probably find yourself wishing you had a spinnaker at some point! It's not a big deal really. Most of the spinnaker boats are bigger boats and will be out of your way in no time.

A lot of good information has been posted about distance racing. As stated, you and the boat must be properly prepared for enjoyment and safety. Also, you must be ready to handle any unforeseen events that may make their presence known...and there most likely will be some.



I would like to input what distance racing means to me...

Simply put, it is an enjoyable "state of mind". I like the demands that it puts on my physical and mental capabilities. You have to be able to shift gears ranging from lying on the hull looking for wind, to doubled trapped off the rear beam. In the course of a day (and maybe a night) the wind and sea conditions can change many times. You have to develop the ability to focus on the tasks at hand for extended periods of time. Once you get hooked (provided your calling is distance racing)... you, and only you, will be able to explain to yourself WHY you distance race. The feeling is as personal as your finger print. Give it a shot, what do you have to lose?

Dave

Got to get "prepared" for the Eric Barton "Distance Race"

This is always a great race and is coming up next week-end.

October 27is the 14th Annual Eric Barton Memorial Classic, Dunedin Causeway, Dunedin, Florida. Bob Barton has promised a true distance race. He plans on three classes--spinnaker class, low Portsmouth and high Portsmouth. Weather permitting, the course for the larger boats is approximately 33 miles with the smaller boats going about 22 miles. This is always a fun race around islands like Anclote and Three Rooker and the Spider Buoy off Clearwater Beach then back to the Causeway. Sunday schedule: 9:00 a.m. Skippers' meeting, 10:00 a.m. start. Note the early start!!!!! Cost: $10/single; $15/2-person. The entry fee includes lunch and trophies. What a deal. This regatta is always fun and relaxing. There is always a good turn out but if you spread the word it will be awesome. Bob and L.J. do a great job of running it. Contact L.J. at ljofl@msn.com for more information. ALL NET PROCEEDS BENEFIT SUNCOAST SAILING CAMPAIGN QUEST FOR THE 2004 OLYMPICS (Robbie Daniel).