The FOMA FROLIC/Windjammers of Clearwater Around Anclote Race is open for the first time to beach cats that are 19' and up! (FOMA = Florida Offshore Multihull Association)
Date: 1/26/2002
This distance race is approximately 40 miles and has the bonus feature of finishing where it starts, no ground crew required.
Take a look at a map of the area for an idea of the course if you're not familiar with this area. It's basically a big loop starting at the mouth of Clearwater Pass, north around Anclote Island (either way) and back.
Techinically there are channel marks that must be rounded properly and are detailed in the Notice of Race. It basically keeps all boats in deep water without anybody trying to cut any corners through shallows and shoals. The start is at the "spider" or Clearwater Pass Channel Marker #1 and the finish is a little more inside the pass. There will be a committee boat (unless you finish after 5pm).
The reason for the 19' requirement is that they are looking for the bigger boats, presumably with headsails of some sort, that are sailed by seasoned offshore racers who will be self-supporting with their own essential safety gear as there will be no crash or chase boats provided. You're on your own and responsible for your own safety.
The Notice of Race and the Entry Form can be found at:
http:/
There are no major events scheduled for that weekend at the Clearwater Community Sailing Center located on Sand Key so there will be ample room to set up and launch. The start is early Satuday morning (9:15am) so you need to set up on Friday. There is a skipper's meeting Friday night at the Sailing Center. After the race you can pack up or leave your boat overnight and pack up on Sunday. The location for the awards hasn't been decided yet.
I'm sure if I've overlooked any important things somebody will ask, but check the NOR first to see if it answers your questions. That's where all the details are. If you need to ask me some questions email them to me at barb@the-helm.com
See you there!
Based on some requests and input there is a suggestion that the race organizers define eligibility for beach cats as those with a D-PN of 66 or below. Any comments/suggestions on that change to the elegibility on the NOR? Keep in mind the organizer's intentions to keep it to the modern, higher-tech boats, preferably with chutes, and crewed by sufficiently seasoned sailors.
before i bug the organizers and make a final request for change and inclusion i'd like to hear your feedback. thanks!
The race organizer feels it's too late to make a change to the Notice of Race, so eligibility stands as written with the requirement that beach cats participating in this event be at least 19'. He agreed that the D-PN of 66 is probably a good benchmark to use for future Notices of Race. So, those with boats who are eligible, come on out! For those whose boats are almost eligible, stay tuned for an announcement about the next event the big boats invite us to. Thanks, and see you there!