Beaten to the prune juice dispenser at the breakfast bar, maybe.

We have been very busy since our minimum entry was exceeded on March 15th. We now have 13 boats registered with three classes including F-18, I-20 and Open Class. A new logo, the Sailing Instructions, registration form, Dogfight info, tracking info and other items have been posted:
Florida 300 Updates >>>

I couldn't be more happy that this is getting going. If it sees a second iteration, I'll have my motivation to hit the gym again

The Islander Resort rate of $129 for the Florida 300 is only good till April 18, then it goes back to the regular rate of $179. If you plan on staying at the hotel, make sure you make your reservations as soon as possible. The hotel info is below:

The Islander Resort
www.guyharveyoutpostislamorada.com
80001 Overseas Highway
MM 82.1 US-1
Islamorada, FL ‎33036
Telephone: 305 664 2031 / 800753 6002
Use “Florida 300 Catamaran Race”for event rates
Rate: $129 +11% tax



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For the latest updates and rule changes, please "Like" www.Facebook.com/Florida300 or Sign up for the mailing list on the www.Florida300.com.

Remember to book your rooms early, each of the hotels will only hold the discounted rooms for a short while, then the prices will go back to regular price. The islander will only be giving the group price unto 4/18. See the florida300.com website for the hotel list.

Another rules question. Both sailors have to have phones on them? So that's 2 epirbs ,2 phones, 2 flashlights, 2 strobelights and a VHF ? You realize the phones will be ruined at the end, waterproof case or not? Coast Guard prefers VHF over phones also.

Todd is 1000% right about the VHFs.

I will never understand why OAs don't require this, especially for distance races, but certainly for buoy racing in heavy air. And, we shouldn't need the OAs to tell us to do this...

We all know this, but apparently think it could never happen to us:

Regardless of the minimum requirements for any regatta, EACH person on a catamaran should have a fully charged, submersible VHF ON THEIR PERSON.

It only takes nanoseconds to fall off a boat, and very few seconds to be significantly separated from the boat.

If the boat capsizes, there is an excellent chance that the wind will blow it away from you faster than you can swim back to it. Even if you have a partner who can right it solo, your head bobbing in the water can be impossible to see in nasty enough conditions, and whistles are hard to hear.

Mike

We always carry 2 in a pelican case. You can get pretty small ones and tape them to the boom. Phone in a baggie then in the Pelican case. I've yet to have a Pelican case leak even in the tramp pocket.

I just read where it says "on the person". My bad. Get a pimp phone from Walmart.

FYI the new Galaxy S5 is IP67 Water"proof".

It should certainly survive in a dry bag or hard case for additional protection.

Take a brand new $650 phone on me that will, at the very least, get beat up and probably won't work offshore anyway? No thanks. (I can buy 5 VHF radios for what that would cost me!). IP67 is a step in the right direction but it's not much waterproofing (I'm getting one at the end of the month, tho). I really don't see the point in requiring a phone on your person. We normally carry one on the boat in a pelican box in the trampoline pocket...handy if you have to make a left turn and land on a beach somewhere but it's not any good any significant distance off the beach.

I do see the point in carrying a VHF radio on you. A leg pocket is a pretty decent place to put it out of the way.

Hi Todd,
We rushed a bit to get that 15 page document out and knew we would be making some changes/corrections. Only one cell phone and one VHF per boat and neither needs to be carried on person. The primary reason for cell phone is to notify us if you are pulling out of the race or need help along the shore.

Also only ONE Spot may be used instead of EPIRB on person. We want each boat to have someone with access to an EPIRB at all times. Our recomenation is to have one EPIRB per person and one Spot on boat. A few sailors requested this change to keep costs down. They already have the units and feel comfortable using them.

Personally I think the SPOTs are critical because it would allow us to see if a boat is potentially having issues and possibly help dispatch non emergency help whether it be another team that finished or local friends with boats. There is also a rare situation where a sailor could be knocked out and he could still be found.

As far as having a VHF "On Person". It is up to each sailor to carry safety equipment they feel comfortable and safe carrying. All we can do is set minimum requirements that we feel are the best mix in keeping people safe.

While making these decisions Warren met with a retired Coast Guard Commander that he is friends with and below is the commander's reply:



His only question was to verify that the SPOT unit worked via satellite, which it does.

We should have the Sailing Instructions updated by end of the day.

Tape it to the roof of your car and whip through the touchless wash a few times and see how it goes.

Today is the last day to reserve a room at the Islander for the "Race Rates":

The Islander Resort
80001 Overseas Highway
MM 82.1 US-1
Islamorada, FL ‎33036
Telephone: 305 664 2031 / 800753 6002
Use “Florida 300 Catamaran Race”for event rates
Rate: $129 +11% tax
Islander Water Sports will direct Boat locations and trailer positioning

I'm a huge proponent of personal responsibility and love the quote above, but the 15 pages( pretty excessive) of SIs that I read seem to contradict that. I'll read the updated version and reconsider. The more you dictate the more responsibility you assume as the OA. Your race ,your call but I think you are regulating yourself into a fix instead of out of one. I want this race to flourish as much or more than anyone so this isn't being a hater.
Your SPOT comment about letting you see if someone was in trouble will only lead to trouble if you call in the Calvary and someone stopped because they wanted a sandwich. Besides , after all of the races that I've participated in and tried to follow that involved SPOTs I'd surmise that reliability is "SPOTTY" at best. I guess that's how they got their name. I'll trust my life to an EPIRB, if organizers want to publicize the race with SPOTs then that should be their responsibility not mine, financially or otherwise.

Spots are great, but they're tickling with liability issues with some of their promises. They're being sued right now over the Aegean incident (which may or may not make sense). It's a terrific device and has a definite use, but it just doesn't have the direct line/monitoring of emergency help and I would never rely on one as my backup plan (maybe a tertiary level) - it's not intrinsically built for the purpose of safety like an epirb is. That's some government oversight we should all be pleased with.

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-fatal-yacht-race-20140403,0,2497242.story#axzz2zHdnbXLA

This is exactly why Kathy veto'd the SPOT option and insisted on the EPIRB. We have carried the SPOT before and she pretty much said the same thing as Todd. For some reason she wants to get me back, go figure.

Until you pay the life insurance renewal, that is...

How do these guidelines compare to EC? I think EC does a good job of reinforcing that they are not going to babysit you (aka "don't call us if you have a problem").

A PWC emergency kit has 3 flares, whistle, and floating marker. Add a dye marker and mirror and it all fits in a leg pocket.

Obviously not good if you're far from shore (where an EPIRB might do far better), other boats, or unconscious, but it's a relatively cheap low-tech backup plan.

The EC does have a long list of required items although they've reduced the personal item list, they do still require that you have basic stuff - a change of non-boat clothes that is to be considered sacrosanct, etc. It is still a pretty extensive list and they do inspections on newcomers. Veterans are typically allowed to self-police and sign off that they have the required gear.

There's not really anything on that list that I don't agree with. The only things required on your person (life vest) is EPIRB (PLB), whistle, and a knife. I happen to agree with these as a minimum. I also carry strobe, flashlight, webbing cutter, fresh water (integrated camelback), a length of high-tech line (20 feet or so) with a carabiner, and a couple of energy bars. Hey, you never know what kind of isolated beach you may wash up on. ;-)

It is a different kind of race though.
http://www.watertribe.com/PDF/MustRead/WaterTribeRequiredEquipment.pdf

what's next on your list Jake? Maybe a trans-Gulf challenge to get to the GT 300?? or the Cuba run?