Starts Saturday March 2, 2013.

I may have to blow off an afternoon from work and check them out at Placida.

http://www.watertribe.com/Events/EvergladesChallenge/Default.aspx

Looks like Smyth is in to defend his record. No Tornado to give pursuit. A few Hobie 16's and a modified 18. Good luck to all competitors!

What is the limiting width and height for the bridge at Check Point 1?

this is from a (weak) memory - but I want to say it was 10 feet or so between the pilings (just enough for an Olympic Tornado) and 6 to 8 feet of overhead clearance (must drop the mast).

Location of the first checkpoint has been changed. There are no more fixed bridges and width restrictions. The Challenge is wide open for beach multihulls now.

Yee HAW!

Interesting - if I read that correctly, there aren't any height restrictions now either?

There are not any fixed bridges. Depending on a chosen course there may be low clearance opening bridges. Anyway, it is possible to sail entire course without taking mast down. Actually, it is possible to sail it without running under any bridge, weather permitting. First checkpoint is on ICWW, it is a marina directly next to the channel. There are two inlets a few miles apart, one is below and another one above the checkpoint.
Rest of the course is a same. Checkpoint 2 is still deep in Chocoloskee Bay, and checkpoint 3 is in Flamingo. Florida Bay crossing and transiting the coast of Everglades are the same.

Very cool. I wish I knew this in time before this year's event. Its not that it was some huge logistical challenge that prevented us from doing the race but this does make it easier. We'll be planning for the next one.

Speaking of that... maybe Jamie or the other veterans can comment on what sort of "stuff" to carry.

Did they camp on land for any of the race, or just check in and get going again? Did they sail in shifts and rest/nap on the boat?

Randy sails straight through. He is sleeping but not on purpose.

Noticed the North Carolina Challenge is going from 100 miles to 300 miles with long open streches across the palmlico sound. There still is a 8 mile row/paddle and several bridges but being a sailboat will have a huge advantage over the kayaks and hobie AIs.

Yes, with the Everglades Challenge being open to not stepping the mast it creates a real game changer for the sport. It takes about 20 minutes to step and 35 minutes to raise the mast, but the real effect is the drain of energy.

This sport is still in its intfancy especialy with beachcat racing.

J.P.Ayers
Holdyourcourse
Isotope 186

Frank and I were at the point of purchasing gear for this race the last time around. There is a very specific equipment requirement and information can be found on their website. Even if you don't plan to stop and sleep, you need to carry the items they specify (which include things like, change of clothes, ways to get out of the weather, ways to deal with bugs, snakes, food and safety gear, etc.). The reefing rule has changed a couple of times and I'm not sure what it is in the current state - but you had to have the ability to reduce so much sail while underway (and possibly be required to demonstrate it).

I will probably gear up for one of these soon and will get into more of an adventure first, race second mode with the intent to overnight at least once. What would be cool is if we could team up with another boat or two and agree on camps, etc. We go at a fun pace for most of the event, and maybe open up the last leg (or whatever) to an all out race among ourselves to get to the finish.

I checked out Smyths tri yesterday, he added planing flat bottoms to the amas. He says the old amas really held him back, but not any more.

Any pictures? Randy has done a fantastic job keeping that machine under wraps. I would really like to know what it cost to build and/or what a production version would end up being. If you eliminate the bridges these races are very viable for the beach cat fleet. Randy's boat is better because you can paddle it and is setup for gear storage. There isn't enough space without getting super creative on a normal spinnaker beach cat boat for all the gear, we carried 50% in our hulls. That isn't viable on a F18 or N20. I suspect Livingston's T was heavily modified for this race.

I wouldn't say under wraps. Have you asked Randy about it? He'll tell you anything you want to know, except maybe how to keep it upright.Not sure he's quite got that perfected yet, just like the rest of us.

Could I use the anchor that I bought as a required piece of equipment for Steeplechase?

And the winner is http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2...mail%20Newsletter&utm_term=Read%20on

I was there the day before to see all the boats
PS a Mystere 4.3 won it's class










[img]http://www.israeltour.com/CAT/6.JPG[/img]

[img]http://www.israeltour.com/CAT/7.JPG[/img]

[img]http://www.israeltour.com/CAT/8.JPG[/img]

[img]http://www.israeltour.com/CAT/9.JPG[/img]

[img]http://www.israeltour.com/CAT/10.JPG[/img]

[img]http://www.israeltour.com/CAT/12.JPG[/img]

I definitely like Smyth's boat.