Like I said, its NEVER too early to plan. Check out this article in the Havana Journal. If you haven't noticed the borders to Cuba are getting very close to opening up. The current administration is much more inclined to open up the borders and have already made concessions to allow "cultural exchanges" between the US and Cuba. This event is one such event. I for one want to be able to see Cuba before everyone else can. This is a once in a lifetime chance so get yourself positioned to join in the fun.

http://havanajournal.com/travel/entry/cuba-run-2010-key-west-cuba-regatta/

from the article:


Crap I guess that means I'm not invited

I would assume as long as you can cross you should be good enough.

Already seen it. Fantastic place. Not a lot of restaurants though. Very safe for tourists although some locals will steal things and beg.

Its a long hike..What are the prevailing wind direction and typical wind speed?

How will our gear get over there?

Robi, it was a joke :P

Leaving Miami in the Summer it is normally South or South East. Wind speed in the early part of the day 8-10 building to 15 plus in the late afternoon

How about November? :P

Tad I know it was a joke my man.

In November the lows up north makes for some pretty good Northbound winds.

Does that mean a beat to the south and a sled ride home?

When we did the race in 1979 the wind was E/SE at 15-18kts. In 1980 it was 20+ from the N.

Those races were in November.

Generally, the prevailing wind is SE at 12-18 that time of year. The fronts start coming in every several weeks as the winter progresses, and they are 15-20 from the North.

As the front passes, the wind clocks through the West and South, but it rarely takes more than a few hours to do that.

My guess would be a semi-tight spin reach going. Broader coming back. Keep in mind that the Gulfstream will be pushing you East at several knots most of the way.

Oh...did I mention there are BIG waves out there?

this is a wave only race........sorry guys......no kites

Sounds like a great race - I can load up on Cuban Cigars! I hope this is an open race not a Tybee sort of thing, essence of the old Worrell? I‘ll have the TMS-20 ready by then count me in!

It is open to 18-22 foot spinnaker boats.

I also just checked and the finish is at the Hemmingway Marina which is actually West of Havanna, so I would say with the prevailing SE winds it would be a broad reach rather than tight. That assumes that you sail the rumb line.

That would open up a lot of strategy situations:

You would want to make the Gulfstream crossing at best VMG, but would it be better to head west along the Keys, out of the current and then go south at best speed, hoping to nail the marina, or would you take your best angle from the start and deal with what you find on the other side to get west. I think the "stream" is pretty strong right up to the Cuban shore.

Where is the finish line the stream comes real close to Palm Beach county.

how many people can fit on a 22 beachcat?

22 if they are 1' each...

They only need to go one way, too...

While I'm the last one to get offended at a joke in poor taste, I don't think that they are lending anything to a discussion about a serious event that bridges two worlds divided by a body of water that we as catsailors can help the rest of America cross.

thank goodness your the last one.. so now we are all clear to offend!!!

OK... OK... i apologize if i offended anyone whom is 1' tall...