No, Dave, we are not all set. I have not contacted the Caribbean Club yet. I need to know how many people are coming and are planning to use that beach. EVERYONE who plans to come, PLEASE go here and register: http://www.catsailor.com/registration/sign-up.php?regatta=103

We can't afford to commit to a flat amount like we did last year ($1,000) and pray that we will get enough sailors willing to pitch in to cover the cost.

Right now only 11 boats are registered. And I don't know how many of those are even planning on launching at the Caribbean Club. You do the math.

I am pre-registered and plan to launch at the Carib.

I'm also pre-registered, and planning to launch at the Carib

Since we are just 10 days out I'd say it's pretty safe to assume we are looking at the fleet. I would also assume that at most there will be 10 boats that will launch from the Caribbean Club ($100 a boat). It also needs to be known from those that plan to launch at the Caribbean Club if they would be willing to make up the difference if less than 10 boats launch there, right?

Mary, is there minimum flat fee besides the $1000 that could be worked out with the Caribbean Club, something like a $500 minimum plus a per boat charge? Or is that not negotiable?

This needs to be hammered out this week, even at $100 some may consider the launch fee a bit harsh and look for cheaper yet less ideal launch locations, plus it will spread the fleet out all over the island making awards a bit sparse.

I think I would start a new thread requesting registration.
There are people who don't frequent this forum enough to dig into this thread.
Unfortunately I won't be there, have fun and eat extra fried turkey and lasagna for me.

Team Punk is in along with 2 other New England F18s that are registered, Greg Vadasi and Cosimo Malesci
Tawd is scared

$100 seems a bit high to launch and retrieve a small boat... But if that is the option, I would rather pay it and launch with the other competitors. Being my first time doing this event I would appreciate some other people around at the staging area, for the info and also the camaraderie (and by that I mean drinking partners).

Righting Moment is registered.

Dave, I am going to assume that for a small group, they will just charge their normal launch fee ($10) and daily rate for storing trailers there ($10 a day). That is what I am going to propose to them.

That sounds very reasonable!

Mary,
That sounds like a great plan, I think that's what we did 2 years ago isn't it? Can you get back to us to confirm this and let us know who you talked to? I'd like to show up early Friday and would prefer to not have any hassle.
If it were to be $100, I would prefer to get a room at Gilbert's and take advantage of the free launching.
Thanks!
-Todd

Gilberts resort website says $20 flat fee to launch, and is much closer to the starting area...

For the past couple years, the finish of the race has been right in front of the Carib and the post race events were at the Carib. Folks who rigged and launched at Gilberts missed out. No info has come out yet about where the finish will be. I think that will determine where people finally decide to launch. Right now, I am ASSUMING that the finish will be at the Carib and plan to launch there.

Its only a couple minutes sail from the Carib to Gilberts.

Ok so what's the verdict?
I hope to show up Thursday Morning to set up my boat.

Okay, here's the verdict -- and it ain't pretty. I talked to Kathy at the Caribbean Club, and first she said we would have to pay $1,000 to use the beach, same as last year. I told her that was just not possible.

She says they now have the beach rented permanently to someone, but she was still going to make it available to use if we would pay the big bucks up front. I said, "No can do."

SOOO, if you want to launch at the Caribbean Club, you will NOT be able to use the beach at all. You will have to rig in the parking lot and launch on their ramp. They will charge you $10 a day for your trailer storage and $10 each time you launch your boat. If you want to go sailing on Thursday or Friday, you will have to pay $10 each time you launch off the ramp.

Kathy says they will have someone at the ramp Friday, Saturday and Sunday to keep track and collect the money.
So, it's basically pay as you go.

NOW, I also talked to Gilbert's, and they have rooms available at $69 for 2nd floor and $79 for 1st floor, and they are going to charge $20 per boat, regardless of whether you arrive Thursday or Friday.

(At Gilbert's, that's $20 for the whole time, not per day.)

Sounds to me like Gilbert's is by far the best deal. And if everybody decides to stay there, we should have the finish line there, too.

Since they put in the bridge over Jewfish Creek, it is a whole lot easier to get in and out of Gilbert's than it used to be. They have on and off ramps.

I talked to them today and they said if you stay there then there is no charge for launching.
Mary, can they accomodate the whole fleet if we pay them $20 each?
I personally like when everyone stays at gilberts and launches there, plus the tiki bar is fun.
I think we are going to stay at GIlberts and keep our boats there, I would hate to miss the sloppy joe's though!
Mary, it's your race, therefore this is your call... can you let us know ASAP so we can book rooms?

Rick and I agreed that it would be best if everyone stays and launches at Gilbert's this year. They said they have enough rooms.

I LIKE IT!

With the tiki bar there and the cheap hotel rates, you can't beat it. Just wish I were sailing.

They shipped 10 SPOT rental units and one SPOT2 unit to play with. So far I have holds on two of them. Let me know if you want me to reserve you one or if you have one, send me your tracking page so I can add you to the race page.

They will be doing race replay at the end of each day. Below is a link to the Tybee 500 Replays:
Leg 1 >>>
Leg 2 >>>
Leg 3 >>>
Leg 4 >>>
Leg 5 >>>
Leg 6 >>>

The more we get tracking the better the replay will be.

Gilberts it is.

Thanks Mary!!!!!!