NOT..................................... WOUTER!....

No - They won't let him back after last time

SORRY WOUTER

Depressing? Don't attract the attention of the nonsailing public?

Hi Seth,

I only said that Ollie and Kelly were sailing the GCat LAST weekend. I have no idea who Hans will have sail it in Gulfport NEXT weekend. Hans did have Robbie Daniel sail a winner on the prototype last summer in Dunedin (and he beat you on your T4.9, right?). Robbie lives here and just might be in town. Who knows? It'll be interesting event and worth bringing a camera.

I was out there Friday when they (Ollie and Kelly) first sailed it. The boat still needed some things worked out, however they sailed a upwind-downwind course against a Tiger and seemed to hang with the Tiger upwind quite well. Wind at about 7 knots. On the way back in a slowly decreasing breeze it was all Tiger, sailing deeper and faster.

This weekend should be a good test.

Secret crew...... My money would be on Robbie D.

No problem !

Actually this is a secret that I'm NOT part of.

I'm as anxious as you guys to find out who the mystery crew is.

Cool

Wouter

How many other F16's are going to be two-person? Last year they were all singlehanded.

Anyway, I am working on Rick for us to be there with our boat, because I think it is important to help the class. If we bring our boat and if Robi charters his boat to somebody, that would make 10 boats; right?

I don't know about Rick and I sailing together, but if there are other two-person teams on the F16's, maybe we would give it a try. (We haven't sailed together for at least 16 years, which is why we are both still alive.)

Mary,

The 2004 and 2005 versions were limited to F16 1-up setups; this year however the event invites both the 1-up and 2-up versions. In effect they have decided to run it in the intended F16 setup where 1-up boats and 2-up boats share a start and race eachother. No handicap numbers, just first across the line wins. This was one of the main goals of the F16 setup as you will remember.

If you go to the following post confirmed attendence list on 1 march 2006 then you'll see that at least 3 other crews will be 2-up. Tom Shannon (new owner) and "mystery crew" are expected to be 2-up as well. Currently Chuck Harnden is listed being 1-up; but I doubt whether he'll stick to that when faced with such a 2-up fleet. Mavis Harnden has been crew for Chuck plenty of times in 2005 so I don't expect her to stay away unless there is a compelling reason. In addition, Hans Geissler has not explicitly declared whether he will singlehand or doublehand his entry. He only confirmed that a G-cat F16 with him will be out. So it may turn out that he goes 2-up as well. I've only put him down as 1-up as that was erring on the safe side. You and Rick will be at least the 4th 2-up crew and in the extreme case the 8th.

What I'm trying to say here is that it looks like a good sized 2-up fleet will be out. The dynamics of pre-regatta crew make-up developments seem to point that way.





Ahh, you sweetheart !

You helped the class so very much in the past already, with the catsailor mag articles and such. This new help is again much appreciated.




Yeah that it right, I had forgotten about Robi's boat completely.

Actually if this happens we can even make the GYC event the 2006 USA F16 nationals ! Enough boats for it will be present !

Still, I know Robi mentioned an exciting development but I'm not to sure he refered to some crew chartering his boat for the GYC event. Robi can you shed some more light on this.





Mary, personally I think it most cool that this F16 event might just see you two race together again since such a long time. I regard you two just considering it to be a great honour.

Now I would love to see it happen but don't feel you are under great pressure. This sailing is supposed to be a fun way to spend your spare time and it's not worth risking ones marriage (or life !) over it !

But seriously feel free to decide either way.

Wouter

David,

Just for your knowledge. Robbie can beat just about anyone swimming. He is in a league of his own with very few in the United States. I am honored to be in the same sentence with him.

Why don't you give Mike Crawford a call and see if you could charter his boat that is collecting dust, and give the f16 a try.

Isn't Mike boat available for purchase at any reasonable price as well ?

Wouter

What kind of harnesses and trapeze hooks are you guys using?

I purchased two of these bad boys from Catsailor.
http://store.catsailor.com/tek9.asp?pg=products&specific=jrppfrdmk

1. Is the Days Inn at 650 34th Street N (3 miles from GYC) ok to stay in? It's only me and does not have to be nice, just fairly safe.

2. Final Four weekend of NCAA Basketball. Any facilities to see the game or should I provide my own?

23 days.

My personal opinion is I wouldn't stay at any of the hotels from Central Avenue Southward on 34th St, especially with things of value in your vehicle. I would either stay at one of the hotels in Gulfport or at one closer to the beaches. You should be able to keep your boat at GYC in the locked yard overnight. There is no TV or stereo set up at the club so I would plan on bringing one if you want to watch the games.

Base on those sailors who have pre-registerd, here is the anticpated list of F16HPs.

-1- Chuck Harnden (1-up) Blade F16
-2- Matt / Gina McDonald (2-up) Blade F16
-3- Tom Shannon (1-up) Blade F16
-4- Seth Stern / Kelly Gray (2-up) Taipan F16
-5- Hollis Caffee (1-up) Taipan F16

If you need to make any updates to the pre-registration information, send me a personal message and I will make the updates.

Jennifer

NOR

Well - I did at the time - but things change

Tom,

The Days Inn Hotel is fine to stay at. It is on the North Side of Central Avenue in St. Petersburg and is within Walking distance of my Cousins House.

In reference to the Final Four, I would recommend brining your own T.V. Our club House doesn't have a T.V.

Everyone who hasn't pre-registered for the event won't be guaranteed a registration event offering. It will be given for people who have pre-registered 1st and then 1st come 1st serve.

Tom,
When are you coming into town? I am planning on Sailing all day Friday.

Seth

Thanks for the info on the Days Inn. I'd like to be as close as possible. The Sea Breeze Manor was booked for a wedding. Is there a hotel of choice from past years experience that people congregate/recommend?

Friday (3/31) will be a big day. I am picking up my boat from Matt in the AM, planning on sailing some in Titusville and then trailering to Gulfport shortly after lunch. I hope to rig and get some time on the water at GYC in the mid PM time range (maybe 3:00ish). It would be great to get some pointers. All of my spi experience has been on a 2-up boat...I have a lot too learn.

I just got a note from Hans Geissler. There will be TWO GCats at Gulfport. He will be sailing one and the other one will be sailed by "somebody ells" (spoken with German accent). He did not say if they will be one-up or two. I'll ask.

I had very much wanted to charter a F16 for this regatta and I was in the midst of a deal when my Employer decided I needed to go to training, in Atlanta, that weekend instead. So I will miss it. I had very much wanted to go and build the class numbers.

Thanks for the offers of boats to both Robi and Jennifer. I hope you have a great regatta, but a bad day of sailing is better than a good day at work!