Challenge just started

Randy Smyth a.k.a FrontalLobotomy is racing radical homebuilt 18 foot trimaran in class 4 solo division.
Steve Lohmayer a.k.a Lumpy and Jamie Livingston a.k.a. Bumpy are racing Tornado.
Good luck to guys!
Weather is nice, wind is light <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
http://www.watertribe.com

any pics anywhere?

No pictures yet. There is a short video showing Tornado, Randy's Tri and Raptor outrigger, I believe
http://www.watertribe.com/ChallengeViewer/ChallengeViewer.aspx

Latest reports says that wind died. Randy is leading, with Tornado in second. However, there are may be paddlers going intercostal. They may lead

Wind is back. First to Checkpoint 1 Is Frontal Lobotomy, second are Lumpy and Bumpy.

So last years winner paddled 303 miles in just under 34 hours!? That's amazing!

It would be a nice cruise in the Tiki, if you allowed time to sleep!!

Pete, I don't know where you get this result, but it is wrong. Best sailing time for 2 person team is 2 days 8 hours and best solo paddler did it in 3 days and 2 hours.

You can take Tiki, if you can lanch it unassisted from highest watermark on a beach, and propell it a mile into tidal creek under fixed bridge 12 ft wide and 8 ft tall. There are some difficult navigation getting to Everglades City and crossing Florida Bay...

Nobody restrict your time, you can sleep as long as you want - you have a week to finish.
When I did this race on old A-cat, I slept all nights. (Days were long enougth to wear me down <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> )

I didn't known this race was starting already - been watching this one for a while. Apparently there is a 1000 mile race that starts on the north western coast of florida ending on the north eastern coats that is part of this race every two years or so. Watching closely here!

Ultimate Florida Race(1200 miles) was cancelled this year.

I can't add! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> It's still a monumental achievement.

I wasn't considering competing with the Tiki, just that it would be a nice cruise. If I did it, it would be with auxillary power. Still, getting across Florida Bay is tricky. In many places the bottom is like pancake batter! And the channels are very narrow, strictly one way traffic.

How do you get a 10' wide Tornado under an 8' high bridge? Even if you lay it on it's side, it's not going to clear, by 2 feet! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> Or do they just drop the mast and paddle it under, then re-step it? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I was talking to Jammie at Trade winds and he said they would have to take the mast down to get under the bridge.

What do you say to it to get it to come down? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I think the mast may be talking to Jammie bridge, bridge, bridge!!!! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

It looks like Randy Smyth is grounded with rudder problem.

Lumpy and Bumpy are taking substantial lead (I'd say 40 miles and growing at this point)

I don't know where this bridge is, but I'm pretty sure you could detour around it.

This is an amazing event! My hat is off to all the competitors. I might join in some time if there is an "8 Day" fleet! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I think we should do a mini one, from Pete's house to Stank's house in Naples, drink all his beer, make his kids cry, piss off his wife and then back to Pete's! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I saw a picture once with ten people on a Tiki 21. Under sail!!

Shot this at the launch 3/1 Desoto Park.

M*

I'm not sure if Alan is doing it this year from Team Velocity. Last year he and his team did pretty damn well on their homebuilt outrigger sailing canoes.

Nice shot and real interesting trimaran.