Did you ever consider that by starting with a 300 mile race, it might bring some new people into this longer sailing format that would never consider a 1000 mile race.

sounds like the OX500 that joined the T500

Absolutely. The Texas guys are doing it right too with the optional one leg race for people that want a taste. It would be interesting to see a (neutral and well designed) poll on this topic that could reach outside this forum.

Completely different deal. You had two separate races run by two separate groups. This is the same group rotating distances each year.

I am pulling my boat off the beach to add a third crossbar. It has been on the beach since 2010. My goal is to do a test run to the Bahamas.

While on the worrel subject, I've read that the entry fee for that race was $20,000?!?

I don't remember what it was exactly but it was up there at the end. There was to be a cash purse that would pay out so hopefully you got some of your money back at the finish line. Coincidentally, that first year of that structure was the race that never happened - but they had entries.

I would be all over a 500 mile race starting in Tybee and heading north.

I'm also interested in racing over to the Bahama's.

The other ideas pitched, not so much. But that's just my opinion.

Craig,

This is a game changer for sure. Very different than a 300 mile dash. Something I'd be interested in participating in.

wildtsail,

It really is a long haul. The OBX500 portion is something I would certainly consider, or a New England 500. Either of these would require someone to get off their a$$ and make it happen. I can certainly see development of this race in parallel to the Florida 300/500, with an eventual meeting in the middle for a 2016 1000 miler.

Mike, you and I posted at the same time. +1.

Anyone want to gather all the options and put them on a formal online poll to see where the interest would be?
I'll make sure it gets out to the NE Fleet.
I would definitely be in for a 500 mile race starting in Tybee as well.

Thanks for the feedback and keep it coming. Seems like some of the veterans are not interested in the shorter distance. Are there any new people that would possibly be interested in a shorter format with ambitions on longer races?

IIRC, that price also included the boat. No need to re-hash the past, but the dream was bringing in Europeans and associated big $$$ sponsorships. Catacup works because of the sponsors. We aren't talking about little guys. Try Air France and the French equivalent of Verizon Wireless. It is also in a warm location at a time of year when it is relatively inexpensive to travel and doesn't conflict with the summer season in most countries with high F18 populations. It is also relatively easy for the participant; lodging is arranged, containers are arranged, ground transportation is arranged and some meals are included. Thus, registration closes in under an hour with all slots filled!!

Jake, this isn't the place for this reply, but warranted a little caution. A guy like you with a good amount of experience, plus capable of fixing things, can certainly jury rig something up. My jury rig did not go so well, and ended with a mildly torn sail that could have turned out a lot worse had I not sought outside for a sail repair kit. Loads on our sails are high and reefing requires proper reinforcement patches. Please discuss with a local sail maker prior to attempting this modification on your boat

Or just join Craigs race and avoid the mess

rest assured...It's not rocket surgery and it's all well under control. I mean, seriously...if Playstation managed to get a couple of reef points in...

I'm in the 300 mile camp. I'm also one of those that if time and $$ is tight I'll attend my class championship instead of a distance race.

Hi distance threaders:
Nice thread going. Great to see many ideas out there!

A few comments:

1) Jackson and I did the everglades challenge in 2009 after heavy recruitment by Steve and Jamie on the Tybee. We were the only cats (Randy S. had a homebuilt fast tri and actually someone did the one day event in an inflatable cat with a Hobie rig). It is an awesome time and a great race and I hope to do the 1000 sometime. It is NOTHING like the tybee. You see everyone at the start, maybe night 1 if u stop, then u just see logbooks, and a dude at the end with maybe a cooler. It's an isolationist experience through untamed everglades coast. We did have to drop our mast once (and almost put it up on a powerline in the dark on the way back out!) but it wasn't a big deal. The fact that they took that part out is gravy. We never added grommets or reefing capability, didn't recall that as a requirement. Chief (the organizer) is very reasonable, I am sure u could discuss with him if that was the single reason not do do it. I remember almost every minute of the race, it's that cool and unique.

A lot of the people on this board and friends I've made sailing have been thru the Tybee, its a social race, its a family experience, its adventure sailing but within a somewhat controlled environment. Two different animals, EC and Tybee.

Many of us (including me) want a 1000. Obviously there are many ideas floating about. One thing for sure though, the difference between typing and doing is ACTION.

There are five of us willing to start putting action to words this year, and we are hoping to have you all join us. We need to start somewhere. We need to build. If we can pool and invest our sailing time and sailing resources to a three hundred this year, we can come back next year with a 500. Then hopefully a 1000.

Please stay tuned to this site (and others) for an ideally simple announcement and action plan in the next few days. If we can get 15-20 boats, this will happen and the rest will follow.

Thanks, I didn't get started until the Tybee was done and the Worrel was long gone. I only get to catch a few bits of pieces here and there.


As I am not experienced in distance racing, a 300 mile race sounds like a better starting point than the longer options/suggestions. I have mixed thoughts about the distance itself, it seems a race that might last longer than a week would be a much bigger burden to work and finances. That said, if this was a 500 mile race, I still would be interested.

I think the 2003 Worrell that never happened was $10k entry fee.I wasn't sold on the 18ht so I did not register. A few on this board did. The previous 4 to that which I did do were $1000.00. Dollar a mile like this and the Tybee.

http://youtu.be/xVvar1cF-RU

+1...it's not rocket science. No reason to over think things.

Bacho,
There are several 100 milers out there. If you can do that you can do 500 as long as you're up for the endurance. I can't speak for the 1,000 as I've never done it but I know that 6 days into the Tybee I was ready for more (can't say the same for the first three days).
There is also the GT if you want to do 300.
But more importantly, it's not about the mielage other than endurance and boat preparation. It's about getting out in gnarly conditions which are the worst you can imagine to make sure you can get through them. Surf launches are nice to do ahead of time but I didn't, though I still have to experience some of the surf launches I've seen on video. You figure out how to get through it and eventually figure out how to get through faster.
-Todd