I happend to be in the Sarasota area yesterday, they were having their big Laborday regatta, I drove through the yard at the SSS and there were a few Corsairs on traiors, a F24 and F28R and some others in the way back I think. Was there no multi class at the regatta or did the bad weather keep you guys from going out?

It sure looked ugly out on the bay, no wind, black clouds with sporadic heavy rain and lightning, but there were lots of big mono's out there, not moving.

I am assuming you were out on Saturday and it must have been during the short period where the wind died on us. Most of the day we had decent wind strength although it was coming at us from all directions! There were 5 different race courses set up for Opti's, Lasers, PHRF, Melges, Flying Scott, Multihull, etc. Saturday's winds were challenging because of the multiple storm cells we were dealing with that would come from every direction towards us. We were experiencing 70 degree wind shifts. Most of the courses only were able to get in 2 races. I have been away a lot this summer racing both the Corsair and the Hobies and I did not have my act together in time for the Labour Day Regatta, so I opted to donate my motor boat to the club for the weekend and do race committee. The Multihull course was farther north but I believe they were using the same start line as the large PHRF boats. There were 7 multihulls racing. Some Corsairs, Stilettos, etc. No beach cats. The two 28R's you saw were both having work done on them and were not ready to sail for this event. Sunday, all the Melges and Flying Scots opted not to race. Many of the larger boats also opted not to race because of the strong gusting winds. I expect to have my boat back together today and will be able to do this coming Friday Night race.

It was on Saturday, about 12:30-1:30pm when I was there. There were also lots of Flying Scots in the yard, I was surpised they weren't all out there but looking at those thunderstorms I figured they didn't want to be out.

What was that big mono with the huge mast and dark colored mainsail? I could see him from miles away! I was surprised they sent the Opti's out, when I was there most of them were on the beach.

On Sunday it was blowing 25-30 here, I'm sure it was the same over there, but the radar picture looked like showers over there too, we were mostly dry.

Good luck on Friday night, I have to attend my 12yr. old Daughter's first volley ball game then or I'd be begging for a ride! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

That was Doug Fisher's XS. It is a modified 41 with carbon fiber sales. He owns Ullman Sails in Sarasota. His boat rates way faster than a Corsair. Im not sure what it is but I think its a minus number. A Corsair 28R rates 21 and the stilettos rate 23 and higher. He broke the mast on it two years ago and that was the first he has had it out since. It certainly is a pretty boat and really does make a statement!

Sunday, the Opti's were the only ones that went out!

I actually sailed an Opti in 30 knots one time, back when I taught sailing at a club in Mass, another instructor and I went out just to see what would happen. We had a great time but going downwind I burried the bow surfing down a wave and filled it up! I was about 100lbs. too heavy I think! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Quite a good boat for kids in big wind, a very boring boat in light air though. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Kathryn's account of the wind conditions (and the fleet) is quite accurate even further north on the Bay where the multies were sailing the PHRF course.

We had: Bob Neff with F24 Consensus who took 3rd, Tung Nuygen with his Formula 30 took 2nd, Swim Mart Stiletto 27 finished first.
Jon Dowd, Iguana, Stiletto 27 blew out his main but finished 4th, Raymond Pilot with F27 Aramis 5th, Bill Fisher, One Up, Stiletto 30, broke a daggerboard relatively early on Saturday and dropped out.
On Sunday, of the multies, only Tung brought out his boat.
We had 28 PHRF boats and about 250 one-design.
How about them Opties? Don't disappoint the kids. Let's go Sailing!