Who says we have to wait for all the other boats to finish? Only our F16 fleet. We can have independent starts after the initial rolling start. This works pretty well at Spring Fever (they finish at the top of the course and once all the F16 finish and head down to the bottom for the start they sound the 5 minute gun).

I'm not opposed to sharing the course. Logistically it's easier for the hosting club.

I say, Just Sail! Hit the beach afterwards and pop a brew with everyone that participated.

my 0.02.
tback

Take a look at how the Hobie class assn bundles NA's on a circle. They have lots of wisdom on how to do this properly.

At Racine there were two courses, well separated. F18s were by themselves for the main event. The rest of us shared a course. No problems.

Pete, do you know if the Pt. Roton club would be willing to do that for our 2012 NA's?

I think that's premature. We need to see how many of our folks are in favor of that venue.

My guess would be that with enough boats they would.

Timbo,

GYC ran more than 1 type at our event last year and there were no issues to speak of. The new start sequence where you can go as soon as your fleet is ready works pretty well.

If it is a big concern having an inner or outer course for the fleet having its Premeier event would eliminate the issue of mark roundings being bunged up with boats of other classes, yet still keep the number of race organizers and space to a minumum.

There are not many places we sail where there is not some obstacle. Shallows, weeds, crab pots, moored boats etc. At least other catamarans help pay to make the event better/bigger hopefuly.

So what's your vote (both of you). Roton Point or Panama City?

Karl? (you gotta pick one, no abstentions)

My inclination is for Roton Point in 2012, then Panama City in 2013.

I'm not saying "no" to either than way Mostly because I've driven to Florida I think six times in the past 18 months, and I have hardly been on the east coast.

I like doing both locations 2012 and 2013. The question which comes first?

I'm not hard pressed as I could go with either ... I suppose since 2011 is already north for a majority of the F16 fleet I would propose:

2012 Panama City
2013 Roton Point

I wonder what it would cost to ship a boat on the "Auto Train"...? Or if they would even allow it? I guess storing the mast might be a problem.

In keeping with the North-South alternating thing, obviously Panama City should come after MD, then Roton Point, but I'm not driving 20 hours for a regatta so it doesn't really matter to me when you do it in Roton Point.

Pussy.

Hey, I've been called worse, by better...

Get with Matt. He has a trailer of some sort...

What about using a 40 foot container and get it trucked or train?

Takes a lot of boats to make that cost effective.

Reading this thread makes me glad I live in a country where you never have to drive more than three hours!

I think quite a few people agree with you Tim on the 20 hours for a regatta. They just aren't saying it, but I'm one of them!

Even being double stacked with someone and sharing the driving, would very much suck on a 20 hour drive.

DING, I'm a pussy too!

I've got some more stuff later, but I just got from a quick trip over the weekend and need to look at some work stuff before surfing!

So, more later on this subject from me.

Hey, I'm not saying the drive is something we look forward to but in our case we have several NE teams that make the trek south every year for a 3 day regatta and the very least we can do is make the trip north for North Americans . Although Hyannis is 24 hours away the drive time isn’t even a consideration when it comes to making the decision to attend. For us it's time and money and we have both so we are going to Hyannis. Haven’t your northern buddies made several trips south? For that reason alone the drive time north shouldn’t even be a valid excuse. Hell Pete made the trek to Racine to sleep in a tent! So sack up princesses, the drive will go by quickly and you’ll have a great time.

Money is a factor for me also, but that's part of the driving a long way. I think, I need to look again, but the fuel cost alone was going to be about a grand, plus vacation days!

Get's expensive quick!

So, for me, anything after a 14 hour drive starts getting me to think twice. The reason why it's 14 hours is because I know I can drive that myself in a day and I already know the cost roughly. After that, it's beginning to cost me more, almost twice as much cause of vacation and stuff like that.

I do return the favors though. I plan on going to Maryland!