Alan built Core Sound 20 cat ketch monohull with his dad.
His blog
http://www.sailnaway.blogspot.com/
They are in a leading pack right now.

Lumpy and Bumpy are for the cource record. I'd expect them to finish tonight or early morning tomorrow.

A different approach.

http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/garyd/toroa.html

http://wharram.com/hitia17.html

Alan was pulling the boat out og the garage last weekend, so no water testing, but his boat looks sound, and he's no slouch at sailing and building. I think this is his 2nd watertribe race.

Randy Smyth's trimaran looks pretty fun. Any idea how it collapses since it looks over 12 feet wide for that one bridge. Looks like a cool race for a Weta!
Good luck to everyone and it looks like a great new challenge!!

It is 8-th annual challenge.
I just wonder why it took so long for sailing community to recognize how interesting it could be.

I'd never heard of it until your post. Thanks.

Watertribe used to ?? do a challange in Michigan as well. It ran from Tawas/Rodgers City over the top of the Michigan mitten & down to Frankfort or Manistee? I would have to check out the web site but I remember a lot of safety gear was involved.

Jamie has been talking this 1000 mile watertribe race up and it has me interested in it. Even though you do 1000 miles around Florida, your start and finish lines are within a couple hours drive of each other.

Be sure and talk to some of the old timers while you're strategizing. If memory serves there was some drama years back when a H16 or two washed ashore in the mangroves around the Venice/Englewood area. Also, when you get south of Marco Island you're a long way from anywhere.

It isn't a safety issue, but with loss of beach access convenience is worse than ever.

I'd like to do the EC, but a 1000 miles around Florida would be Steeple chase x 10.

Acctually start and finish lines are same, located on a same beach.
You sail around southern part of Florida, sail up east coast, paddle up St Marys river, walk 40 miles, paddle Suwannee river down, and sail west coast back to start line.

First three finishers did it very close to each other in 19 days and few hours. All three used compltely different boats (racing kayak, cruising kanoe and homebuilt sailboat)

This year Ultimate Florida Challenge was cancelled when number of racers dropped to five for different reasons.
So, next time Chief post notice of race, please sign up <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
I was thinking to do UF, just need to figure out how to attract sponsors...

I want to be able to sail it all the way. I would consider having to drop the mast a couple of times but I want to sail.

I believe rules specifically prohibit use of wind power while portaging your boat over land. There is some logging truck traffic on that route.

Lumpy and Bumpy arrived to Key Largo. They set a new record of 36 hours for the course. They did it without stopping for rest.

Looks like Steve and Jamie finished sunday night."Randy Smyth had them crossing the line at 18:48. Congrats to Lumpy and Stumpy." It looks like they broke the record by 21 hours. Randy's boat broke down and he had to quit. Way to go Jamie and Steve !!!

I don't understand all the "rules" and from their web site, not sure I ever will, but couldn't you just launch and go "outside" fast, all the way down the coast south, turn the corner, tip the boat over (or drop the mast), go under the bridge, right the boat, haul butt back north? Or are there some check points inside where you must stop?

Sounds like Lumpy and Bumpy went the outside route...

And I thought this was some type of a kayak race. Want to bet they ban cats for the next one? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Timbo

They have check points along the way but you can go inside or outside as long as you go to the check points. I think there are four different classes. I read that Steve and Jamie beat the race officials to checkpoint 3 and the finish. I found most of the info on the Watertribe's forum (look for post lumpy and bumpy). http://www.watertribe.com/

You can choose any route you want as long as you present yourself and a boat at checkpoints. There are three of them on the Everglades Challenge cource. All checkpoints are located in such way that fast boat should slow down somewhat. It didn't work with Steve and Jamie. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Multuhulls were always present in the Challenge and I doubt they ever be banned.

Valdimir,
Thanks for the info and the updates. Much appreciated.
Todd