Mosley, I'll commit to help with whatever I can. If I need to run a chase boat... so be it. I'd love to race but I really would like to see a good beach race take off. We could alway go on the steeplechase model, distance course, no chase boats, and everyone must carry a cellphone in a waterproof bag.

So is this leaning towards being a distance race? Let me know if you need someone to take care of t-shirts.

A distance race would certainly not require as much on the water support. A Lemans start may not require any. I wonder if the City of Myrtle Beach may want to reinstate the Cat Dash for their Sun Fun Festival. The Chamber of Commerse did a great job of coming up with lots of prizes and cash. I still have some savings bonds donated by area banks that I won. From what I understand the Chamber did most of that leg work with the local merchants.

My only question..and bare with me my knowledge of distance racing is minimal...is would making it a distance race affect the number of boats able/willing to participate? Either way, I'll be there! I'd love to lose my distance race v-card, and from the looks of it, I don't think there could be a better, more knowledgeable group to learn from than this one. I'm gonna go wipe the brown off my nose now.

I think it would depend on the distance of the race. Something too long may deter non-spin boats. The mere fact that it is a beach regatta, may deter a few teams that don't feel comfortable in the ocean. The past Cat Dashs would have 20-30 boats. I remember way back (late 80's- early 90's), there was a one day distance race in Atlantic Beach called Canonball Run. It would have 100+ boats. It was a race from Atlantic Beach to Cape Lookout and back. When we got to Cape Lookout, you would beach the boat inside the hook and run to touch the lighthouse. That would stop your time. They would have a keg and lunch waiting for about an hour break. They then restarted us for the trip back. It was a great race.

Okay, then Sun Fun Week it is, anyone know how to reach Taylor? He could provide the insight and contacts for the Chamber. I think 1st place won $350 the last time we raced it. Pretty cool prize money, plus they fed us well at LaBelle Amie Vineyard in Cherry Grove. Ummm,umm, muscudine wine...

Or maybe we're going about this all wrong. How about a fun sail/gathering where a race breaks out?

Taylor's Cat-Dash format was a good one with a beach start and multiple laps around a not-too-long course up and down the beach. It allowed the non-spin boats to sail fewer laps and still stops and starts at the same place (so logistics are easy). We just need to figure out how to get people to come. Personally, I would really like to have a campground (RV) very near the race site.