I know it's serious but know the risk, decide yes or no, and then don't whine about the results of your decision. I remember a Cuban sailing in to Miami a few years ago on a wind surfer he stole from one of the Cuban resorts where he was in charge of the rentals. I would hope modern cats with spinakers prepared for the race with the required equipment and experienced crew could attempt the distance with areasonable amount of risk.

Let me help Steve with some images missing from his post
(http://floatingcubans.com/)

The Original Cuban Truck Raft







The 1959 Buick converted car-boat



Taxi, Please!

Like I said in a previous post: It could be a milk run.

Everyone I know that might do this race is very capable and fast. I think to be in that league and NOT do it would be regretful.

I know folks that were in the Fastnet race that year and those are lifetime memories that are part of their legacy. I have done stupid and daring things in my life that I would probably do again, just for the memories. It is always sad when someone is lost in any thrill sport. We get safer all the time with experience and technology.

It is no different than the Worrell races, the Tybee, the Everglades Challenge, the Fastnet, the Trans-Pac. All have inherent risks and they are not for the unprepared. It would be a sad day IMO when we can no longer do these things because someone thinks it is a bad idea.

And I think that people who have successfully attempted those events would be qualified to participate in something like this.

Those that have a boat but have never done anything besides beach cruising or triangle races may not fully anticipate what they are getting into. That's where the safety officer/committee should advise the applicant that they should pair up with a more experienced crew member (or consider building their experience resume and try next year)

I've "registered" for this race, and it sounded like fun at first, but after reading all the posts, I've got a long list of questions.
Questions/Concerns that I have:
1. What boats are allowed to enter? (Besides the broad 18-22ft) statement.
Personally, I think this should be limited to a few classes of boats that can be 1. righted by a two man crew, and 2. Are roughly the same speed. Boats that can’t be self righted should NOT be allowed, period. And boats of the same general speed will stay closer together and can potentially aid each other in the event of an emergency, (ie someone gets separated from their boat, etc).
2. What is the minimum experience required to enter?
3. Will there be Chase boats?
4. What are the safety requirements?
5. What about dry gear for the days in Cuba? Can we ship dry clothes or do you need to pack everything on board? Can we send dry clothes in advance?
6. What are the legal/political/personal implications to going to Cuba? Would this affect your standing in the US with the homeland security department? Will you get a black mark on your passport? Will you get put on watch lists domestically?
7. What’s the weather like in November? Whats the seastate? Will they postpone if the weather is nasty? Or is this like the Tybee, you have to go or be penalized?
8. Where are we staying in Cuba? How will we get around? What if we don’t speak Spanish?
9. Why November? Is that the best time of the year to do this? Is there a better time of year?

It all begs the question of "Why?"

Why sail to Cuba, which causes all sorts of political and potentially dangerous problems (that might involve guns), when you could just do a race across to the Bahamas instead?

Is there a difference?

thats about as good of reality check as I have seen on here in a while

isn't the answer also in the question? adventure, excitement, risk, reward, going where your not allowed, danger, etc

Okay, sure. That might cut the fleet down a bit.

Why do anything then?

Why climb a mountain, go to the moon, jump 20 school buses, eat 75 hot dogs, mess with snakes...need I go on?

Just do it as safely and responsibly as possible.

Jack,
Somehow you got two different people's quotes combined into one quote, which is very confusing.

But in answer to your question about why do anything? I'm just saying,it is possible to cross the Gulf Stream and go to Mexico or to the Bahamas without ending up in jail. It's not like going to Cuba is some some major sailing accomplishment. It is more of a political accomplishment (if you can get permission), and a political statement if you do it without permission.

Would there be harbor or beach access for an invited Farrier/Corsair trimaran Fleet that could start, say, three or four hours ahead of the catamaran fleet?

I remember that one year Jim Oliver and the crew aboard a boat, I believe was called RedLegs, during the Ft. Lauderdale to Key West Race, plucked Chris Christensen off his 5.2 at night. They rounded up under the chute, and there was Chris, strapped to his boat. He had duck - taped the damage to the bridle attachment failure in the bow and was asking them to help him right his boat so he could continue.

...One of the most amazing sailing stories of catamarans in the Gulf Stream I have ever heard - regarding safety at sea.

If I have fudged any of the general details, Please correct.

If you feel having a squadron of Tris within radio intercept at midway would help protect the sailors, fit in with the cultural exchange project with kids, and earn bonus points with Homeland Security, Customs, the USCG, and Cuban authorities then let's hear your thoughts.

Thanking You in Advance,
Bert Rice

I know. I was trying to conserve space.

You are absolutely right about the political and legal possibilities. I am assuming (and you know what happens with that) the organizers have a solid plan in place as we did back in 1979 and 1980.

I wouldn't touch it without a lot of questions being answered with respect to those issues.

My only point is that Cuba has always had a special relationship with Americans and there is a unique lure to it that the Bahamas do not have.

The reason why you have not heard a lot about it is because they have not received the official go ahead yet. As soon as they get the official go ahead, you will see everything ramp up fairly quickly.

How many people do you know that have been to Cuba? For me the attraction is less about the sailing race and more about experiencing the culture of a place that very few people in the US have ever seen. Once Cuba becomes an approved travel destination for US travelors, much of the Cuban culture will be changed forever, it will be paved over by big US hotel chains and developers. I'd like to see Cuba before that happens.

Add in a relatively short distance race (its not 500miles), and it gets even more compelling.

If it is just about curiosity, I would much rather go there in a comfortable cruising boat and dock at Marina Hemingway for a while so I would have some time to explore.

Anyone in the US can go to Cuba. You just have to hop through Mexico or Canada on the way. People do it all the time. It's a popular vacation spot. You just can't go direct from the US.

would an american passport get you in trouble, especially if it had a cuban entry/exit stamp on it?

cuban authorities do not stamp american passports for that particular reason. americans have been travelling to cuba for many years under this system