Sarasota Sailing Squadron will host the US F16 Championship, 29 October through 01 November. The host website is HERE.

will you be making an appearance at this event Dub?

Who else should we keep an eye on from the left coast?

As to the SSS, I'm headed there this weekend. Nice club and a veritable museum/graveyard of boats from all ages, makes and designs

I missed sailing the Newport event and I've been pouting since. I'll be at Sarasota with Dennis Key driving. I hope that the Glasers will also be there. Will you be coming by, Jay? I think I owe you a cold one...

I may run up there to observe the awesomeness.

Driving the three-legged variety of multihull now (and full-fledged member of dead boat society class), I believe I've gotten too fat/slow for you yutes..

But I can sleep IN the boat (on or off the trailer) so it really cuts down on travel expenses

LJ , We will be there ...

I'll be there

Nice! Blacked out Viper time? You should con Tomko into attending.

I'm in, hopefully with a trailer load of craw boats.

Yes the black boat will be there!

Black N Blue Blade on the way too !!!

SSS is a great venue. They did a kick-a$$ job on the F18 NA's a couple years ago.

+1 and the inside or outside option was nice.

How did you get outside? A tow, or were conditions good enough to sail under that bridge?

I'm in.

When we went outside the conditions were ideal and we went through the draw bridge. Had to be quite the site for the people on the bridge 60+ beachcats stacked up waiting for the bridge to open.

I have some pictures - it was quite the sight - I'll see if I can dig them up.

Not only a small area by the bridge, but some wind and current to keep you on your toes.

We came in via the channel on the south side of Lido Key. Must have done 80 tacks coming up the narrow channel.

A few more pics here: http://imgbox.com/g/8zaBd3hPbN

awesome. Reminds me of the 'good-ole-days' of steeplechase waiting for the Jewfish Creek bridge.

Anyone know if we get to sail outside for F16s?

Its a long ways out there if they suggest that the drawbridge wont open for you.

As Dr. Dr5e stated, its a long slow sail around the south side of Lido Key if you have to go that way to get out. I'd hope for plan "A".

Not that it would help picking a fight with the poor bridge tender, but boats were here before automobiles, so if I read correctly boats are allowed priority through bridges (unless an emergency, etc.).

I do believe that particular bridge in question has scheduled openings if boats are around. But we got through last time with a quick hail on the handheld VHF. It didn't hurt that Tim offered to throw a beer up to him...

I doubt that would be an issue. The road isn't all that heavily traveled and we were pretty efficent getting through the bridge. The fleet was through the bridge in 5 to 8 minutes tops.

Have you met the F16 crowd? Two hours, minimum.

I was banned from the compound years ago so not recently.

Any sailor worth his nads should be able to heal his boat over 45 degrees and sail under that bridge, it's pretty high. Heck, I'll do it with my kite up, solo!

pshaw... just flip and swim it under... Worked for us in an N20 once...

Registered...

My F16 Viper is for sale and is actually very close to the venue as this is my home club! It is an excellent boat and if anyone would like to take a look at it/test sail I can organize that at the venue.

Check out the ad here:



Feel free to call me at 941-465-9862 and leave a message. This will be a great event!

F16 Available for charter.

PM me for info.

And now available for sale. See ad on CatSailor Classifieds.