2014 Steeplechase headcount.

Is there a date and confirmed course?

Rick has it on his schedule. December 12-14:
http://www.catsailor.com/cs_schedules.html#Long

Online Registration Link:
http://www.catsailor.com/registration/

Depends, yes just like the adult diaper.

Got no soccer - lacrosse or wrestling the weekend of the DEC. 12-13 in Pittsburgh baby. NICE!!!!

Getting the band back together for a reunion regatta - I just booked my ticket. I'll be Jake's front end ballast for the weekend -

I vote we stay at the Islander -

I will be bringing many bottles of Mt. Gay -

Frank

Frank why don't you tell me these things sooner?!?! I already made up my mind not to go this year and it actually can't happen now.
Next year I'd like to discuss starting out of the Islander so that us Northeners can leave our boats rigged from Steeplechase to Tradewinds. Having to rig for both (from the boats being completely apart) is a real pain.

I'm available to crew if anyone is looking.

I sent the following message to Rick:

Rick,

There has been some discussion about the Steeplechase venue and the difficulties the current venue presents. Anne's beach has become increasingly more difficult for the sailors and ground crews and with the permitting issue we are keen to find a better solution than what the current course offers. The option that seemed to be accepted by the interested teams was to start and finish at the Islander Resort with the Saturday stop over at UKSC. We would sail north on day one reversing the current course. I've been in contact with Ginette Hughes at UKSC and they are onboard with a couple minor conditions. There is a $15 per head fee to keep the boats at UKSC overnight this covers insurance and temporary club membership (Ginette please correct me if I got that wrong). We cannot bring our own alcohol onsite but the club bar will be open and available to us. I haven't spoken to the Islander but if this is something you'd be willing to get behind I suspect the Islander would be happy to have us.

Please let us know as soon as possible what you decide.

David Ingram

I like that idea both for the ease of logistics as well as giving you inside/outside sailing on each day..

And you'll be shooting Angelfish creek the wrong way <img src="<>/smile.gif" alt="smile" title="smile" height="15" width="15" />

I can't think of a single time that the current was outgoing as we went through Angel fish creek...of course, this year will be the exception

As you all may know I started this race 30 years ago, with start out of the Caribbean Club. At that time the bar and boats got along just fine. After I bought Rick's Place Motel, we then had two friendly launching sites. I never dreamed that after selling the motel the Caribbean Club would be managed by radically crazy people.
That left Gilberts where at first they were very friendly. That is one year. Then the next year they were not. Then nice, then nasty. It has indeed been perplexing to all of us.
I do disagree with how bad Ann's Beach is. Boats go afloat only when they are not secured properly. We have been lucky the Village has not harrassed us about its use.
As you all might recall I suggest this new venue that David pointed out almost two years ago and pretty much was told it would not work. Now you want it. Fine. From my standpoint it is a lot easier to operate and much more comfortable than sitting on a sandy beach all day. And I don't have to clean my house for a Friday night meeting.
I am however not comfortable on how this was handled without conference with me. I would have thought I would be the first person you would have talked to about the change. Enough said!

If there are no objections, I will make the necessary changes to the NOR and SI's
Good sailing,
Rick
Rick White, Publisher/Editor/Webmaster
Catsailor Magazine's OnLine Marine Store
PO Box 2060, Key Largo, FL 33037
305-451-3287, rick@catsailor.com
www.OnLineMarineStore.com

Can/will you make the arrangements with the Islander? They should at least know we are coming.

Rick,

Regarding Friday - 12-12-2014 - Mandatory Rum and Pizza party at the Islander Resort - sponsored by Mansmann & Moore, LLP and Mt. Gay Rum!!!!!

Time: Late afternoon start time - Have my first drink around then - sit and watch everyone rig their boats - it's best for me to stay out of Tim and Jake's space - I hear rigging the boat is a big deal......

Pizza, Mt. Gay Rum and beer - please bring your favorite mixer.

All welcome - no charge.

Rick,

I'd like to personally thank you for all the effort to keep this really great race alive despite all the challenges. Each of the few times I participated it has been an adventure of one sort or another, and I always wanted to come back once the bruises cleared up...

As to Anne's beach, I don't think you're allowed to tie off on Mangroves, which tends to make it dicey (get in trouble or go looking for your boat). Having someone like UKSC offer to allow the boats overnight at their facility is huge.

The bar facility can't hurt either, and I'm sure they'll make a small mint on those folks that night. How far is the club from Lomeyer's house?

I do recall spirited discussion about changing the start/route a few years ago, and the overall opposition at the time. I presume the bi-polar attitude at Gilbert's may have swayed those opinions over time..

So, if the locations eventually DO change to Islander/UKSC, could this possibly open up the event to boats slightly larger than beachcats?

It would give me an excuse to ride the coat-tails of you hotshots...

Rick,

Rather than a mutiny, I believe this is the conclusion of the conversation you originally started. You started the ball rolling and the great debate began. But the debate itself really needed to happen at the sailor's level. The good news is, it appears we have majority support for this venue. The race is evolving without being forced to change. Also, a connection between the Steeplechase and Tradewinds now has an opportunity to form.

Personally, I hope the roots and spirit of the Steeplechase remain intact and this requires your full support of the race. Therefore, if you don't hang out with us at the Islander we may come trash your house again anyway.

Dick Macdonald
Cirrus F18

Funny, Dick.
Just texted Dennis. Should not be a problem, but will advise as soon as I hear back.
Rick

Dennis just replied.., no problem there.
It is a go.., will change the NOR and SI's

Thank you Rick.

Four boats inluding Jake and Frank, are there any other takers?

Where are the perennials? Sonneklar, Casey (probably busy on his world tour), Livingston...?

I'm trying to make it happen. Need to get one of my hulls from Jill's to the keys. Looking at maybe renting a minivan or something but drop fees are pricey.
Might be able to pay the guy moving our trailer to stop there, looking at options.
Scott Rathburn says he might be in.
Islander website says no rooms available. I'll call tomorrow.

Is the hull in the Tampa area? I am heading there tomorrow night and might be able to bring a trailer.

If your hull is in Tampa, my time is limited tomorrow so I PM'ed you my cell phone number.

We are trying to make it down there for the first time this year as well.We probably will not know until a few weeks before the race. My wife and skipper is a teacher and may or may not be able to take those days off.

I called there are rooms available.

Do we have a block name or group code for the Islander rooms for weekend of Steeplechase?

Is there an event rate? They're apparently quoting $200/night.

Rick, are you taking point on this or no?

Dennis is the contact person. And he has been tied up running a windsurfer regatta. Best to contact him on the prices.That sounds pretty high. Dennis Green is the owner of Islander Watersports and the go to guy.
Rick

Ouch!