And it's not the size of your paddle it's how you use it... ah what a load of poop... size does matter.

If it still necks down and accelerates the current right at the mouth - I would never want to have to race through that. Two years ago, we couldn't get out of each other's way long enough to let anyone get a run ... and we were only trying to get up the creek to the start line (we weren't racing at this point). I can't imagine 30 boats all cramming in there to try and get through.


Here's the video...I can't seem to embed a Daily Motion video.

Through the Bridge

The Steeplechase Race is the reason the State of Florida built that new highrise bridge.

Anyone know what the tide will be at that time? If it's not barreling southward down Jewfish creek, I don't see there being too much of an issue...

Same way everyone's crammed in Angelfish creek and some of those cuts on day 2.... It gets messy, but it's accepted as "part of the race"...

Tide is not an issue at Jewfish Creek. Current is wind-driven in that area of the Upper Keys. The current can run one direction for days at a time and then go the opposite way for days at a time. No good way to predict which way it will be flowing at any given time.

If the wind is out of the east/south for days, the current through the bridge may continue to flow from east to west for a while, even if the wind switches to the west/north. And vice versa.

Had no idea. But have fought current under that bridge a few times...

Actually, my last jaunt had us waiting on the bridge opening with a northbound current and no wind. Had to flip the boat on purpose after drifting into the span. Definitely a crowd pleaser, that was!

I remember that, and yes it was.

I will have my truck that I will pull a similar trailer to Pennekamp on Thursday.

I not sure where Tiki is but you are welcome to use my truck.

Are we sure of the launch site yet?

When are you getting to MIA? I have to pick up my crew at Delta at 1255 on Friday.

Hi Jack,
We would greatly appreciate that!
Private message sent.
-Todd

Hi Mary,

Do ya'll have a rate worked out with any hotel?

Where is everyone staying? I usually stay at Gilberts but sounds like they are booked up.

Hey Craig,

I have a space at Pennekamp. You can bring a sleeping bag and stay in our trailer or pitch a tent next to it.

We have checked with the Caribbean Club, and they are fine with the boats launching there. It will be nice to get back to our original launching area again for the Steeplechase, so I hope this works out well.

The Caribbean Club is charging $10 for launch fee, and $10 for each day trailer storage. Pay the bartender inside the "Club." I am assuming the trailer storage fee is based on overnights, so if you have the trailer there Friday night and Saturday night, $20 for the trailer, plus $10 launch fee (covers in and out, launch Saturday morning and delaunch Sunday afternoon). PLEASE make sure you pay them. Launching areas are getting hard to come by down here, so don't give anybody a hard time.

We will be finishing the race at the Caribbean Club and have some food there at the finish and award trophies there, so it would be nice if everybody launches there and has their trailer there.

Don't forget that you have to come to Rick and Mary's house for skippers meeting and to register on Friday evening. No register, no score.

Mary,

Before I comment, I should point out that I'm not attending this year's Steeplechase....

The launch site there at the Caribbean club is a good one! Glad you guys got it. The last time I launched from there for an event (Steeplechase), the bartender complained that he didn't think he was getting enough money for the number of boats and trailers there and I don't think everyone completely understood the deal. He scowled at me when I told him we had two boats and one trailer (he wasn't real familiar with double stacking). Additionally, I think it was easy for people to forget to pay.

It would probably be easier, less confusing, and make the Caribbean Club feel like they were getting a fair shake if the regatta were to charge the sailors for launching and trailers at the time they pay for the entry fee and then pass on those funds to the Club. I know it's more trouble on part of organizing the event but it would possibly help to ensure that the launch location remains available.

The last time you were there, somebody probably had the beach concession, and you were supposed to pay that person, not the bartender.

Anyway, I have not wanted to get involved in the whole thing. Seems like the sailors should take the responsibility for deciding to where to launch and for paying their way. It is not like this is an organized event. All we can do is suggest possible launch locations.

Like Gilbert's says they also have a way to launch there, other than the beach.

And the Jewfish Creek Marina, which is also owned by Gilbert's, is another possibility.

People might be launching from a variety of places, all of which charge different amounts of money. You guys are adults and should be able to handle this yourselves. Right?

Is Jewfish Creek Marina across from Gilberts? Or is that the Former Rowles marina?

Mary,
We certainly appreciate you doing the legwork for us! It's not easy to deal with it from 1,500 miles away!

Several of us from New England rented a house at the Bay Cove Motel. It is $230 a night..for 7 people. Not sure what the rest of the rooms are. It'd be cool to have other catsailors near us. It seemed like a good central location to the Carribean Club and Anne's Beach as well as some local attractions.
-Todd

UPDATE: Gilbert's had a group cancel, so they now have five rooms available for Friday and Saturday nights. Apparently, launching and trailer storage is free if you are staying there. Can't launch off the beach, but you CAN launch out of that area to the right of the beach where there are mangroves. It is now cleared out pretty good, so should be a good place to launch. Also you can launch on their ramp. You will have to ask when you get there where they want you to put your trailers.

If you are NOT staying there, you can still launch there, same places as described above, but they will charge $20 a day for launch and trailer storage.

The rooms are $79 a night, and they all have two double beds.
Call Gilbert's at 305-451-1133. Talk to Liz, if she is on duty.

Actually $88 with tax...still a bargain. We got a room so space #39 at Pennecamp is available again.

Thanks Mary. See you next week.

For those of you who have not been here since the high-level bridge was finished, note that there is a business access ramp off to the right, before you go over the bridge, to get to Gilbert's. And if you are going to the Anchorage or Jewfish Creek Marina or Marley's on the south side of the creek, there is another business access ramp to get off the bridge after you cross over the creek. (Great view from the top of the bridge, by the way.)

Same thing if you are going north -- business access ramp to the right to get off on the Anchorage side and another one on the other side of the bridge to get off for Gilbert's.

The lift bridge has been completely removed, so no way to get across between Gilbert's and the Anchorage except by going over the big bridge.

Nice thing will be that when you are staying at Gilbert's, you won't have to hear that awful noise every time a truck would go over the lift bridge.

It was part of the "awwwwwbiawwwwwwnce"