There are plans being laid for a return of long distance multi-day beachcat racing on the East Coast.

It's very important that any of you that think it would be cool to cover hundreds of miles on a small open catamaran in the open ocean help spread the word. The potential organizers and sponsors need to get a feel for what kind of demand is out there.

Please see the article on the front page and return to discuss it here.
http://www.thebeachcats.c…ic-coast-endurance-race/

--
Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

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Just curious, what kind of gear is required to do this safely?

Food?

Do you camp on the beach, do you bring that gear with you?

again I am just curious, my boat is too old and I just don't have the skill I once had.



Edited by shipchips1 on Feb 02, 2014 - 03:54 PM.

--
Jim
New Orleans

'83 H18 SX mods 2013 -
'65 Lavey Craft 2005 -
'69 Cal 25 1997 - 2001
'80 P16 1980 - 1996
--

Hi Damon,
Thanks for helping us promote the event.

Hi Jim,
The race is basically from hotel to hotel. Because the race goes up the coast, ground crew will be necessary. We will post the rules and NOR here once finalized. All standard distance emergency gear will be required which includes marine radios, epirbs, etc.



Edited by cyberspeed on Feb 02, 2014 - 10:38 PM.

--
Craig Van Eaton
West Palm Beach
Supercat 20
www.teamcyberspeed.com
www.sailseries.com
--

I remember going down to Fort Lauderdale for the start of the Worrell 1000 races in the eighties. They attracted some big time sailors and had some pretty sizeable purses. The Tybee 500 had a stop in Fernandina Beach and I would go checkout the catamarans and spend some time with the competitors at the local beach bar for that last two. Those were great races.

--
Kenneth Purdy
Hobie 16
Nacra 5.2 (2)
Banshee
First Coast, Florida
--

This taken from a Tybee 500 SI; Likely same will be required for new distance races
8. Safety Equipment
8.1 US Coast Guard (USCG) approved PFD will be worn by each sailor while racing, and each boat will have a minimum of one USCG approved throw-able device aboard while racing. All life preservers will be in reasonably new & undamaged condition.
Note: The RC will recognize the country certification of a pfd used by a sailor from a competing country. Modification of the pfd voids the certification either country.
8.2 Each sailing crewmember will have, secured to his person, a small knife, a whistle, a personal safety strobe, a waterproof flashlight, a 406Mhz EPIRB/PLB (with a valid & current NOAA registration and a battery with valid date stamp), and a safety line that can be readily attached to the boat for towing. Note: 121 & 243Mhz EPIRBS are no longer acceptable. Proof of NOAA Registration of 406 Mhz EPIRBs must be provided to the race equipment inspector .
8.3 Each boat will have a waterproof VHF radio, marine grade compass, current three day / night flares, waterproof charts comprising the entire coastal area of the race for that day, and a cellular phone in a transparent, waterproof bag. The Race committee will be provided with the number of the cellular phone. Communication between sailing and ground team members is permitted during the race, however, ground team members are not permitted to communicate from any other competitor, except in emergencies on the water.
8.4 Equipment inspections will be performed before the first race. Additional in-spections may be performed at the discretion of the Race Committee before sub-sequent races or after any race. Equipment losses or malfunctions during races will be reported and corrected before the start of the next leg of the race. Failure to comply with safety requirements will result in immediate suspension and / or disqualification.
8.5 Each boat is required to have onboard a SPOT Satellite Tracker affixed to the boat in such a manner that it has a clear view of the sky and is able to successfully transmit data to the SPOT Satellite Tracking System. SPOTS are required to be activated and functional in “tracking mode” at all times while racing. The Prin-ciple Race Officer will be provided with relevant serial number information, etc. from each SPOT so as to be sufficient to allow the competitors to be tracked.
Note: SPOTS will be available to teams on a rental basis for the duration of the event. There will be a $50 rental fee in addition to the registration fee for those teams electing to rent the SPOTs for the event. Teams renting SPOT devices will be responsible for any damage or loss of the device. Teams may elect to use their own SPOT devices but must have the “tracking mode” activated in their SPOT accounts.

by
Warren Green

So who is sending in a postcard?

--
Greenville SC

Offering sails and other go fast parts for A-class catamarans
--

Quote

Note: 121 & 243Mhz EPIRBS are no longer acceptable.

These are the older style, (actually VHF 121.5 Mhz is what you dialed in, when frequency doubled to UHF gives 243).
All high altitude commercial aircraft still monitor 121.5 Mhz, as it is still the defacto emergency voice freq, & they would hear the siren song of an active ELT(EPIRB), but my understanding is the newer satellites that listen for ELT's (Emergency Locator Transmitter, called EPIRBS when they are carried on person) are no longer listening on that frequency.
I don't remember the exact date of effectiveness, but all aircraft were also required to change ELT's to the new system. They broadcast on 406 Mhz.
The big difference is the enhanced safety provided. The old systems merely transmitted the distress signal. Once reported,(via satellite or overflying aircraft), the location of the party in distress had to be fine tuned by a military search aircraft, which generally carried SARTECH personnel, who were ready & willing to jump out into almost any land/water conditions to aid survivors.
The newer systems are registered to an individual craft, & are able to determine their own position & liaise via satellite pertinent information to the authorities, (a branch of the military in Canada, probably includes Coast Guard in the USA).
Search & Rescue would receive contact info, details of the vessel, be it land, sea or air they are looking for, along with the actual GPS co-ordinates of the transmitter. Hence the reason to carry an EPIRB on each sailor. It was always relatively easy to find a boat, this system makes it easy to effect a MOB rescue, before it becomes a recovery operation.



Edited by Edchris177 on Feb 05, 2014 - 04:39 PM.

--
Hobie 18 Magnum
Dart 15
Mystere 6.0XL Sold Was a handful solo
Nacra 5.7
Nacra 5.0
Bombardier Invitation (Now officially DEAD)
Various other Dock cluttering WaterCrap
--

wgreencro

This taken from a Tybee 500 SI; Likely same will be required for new distance races
8. Safety Equipment ....

by
Warren Green

Warren, good to see you here on the site, don't be a stranger!

--
Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

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Here's an update. The new race will be called the Florida 300 and start from Islamorda in the Florida Keys, just like the Tybee 500.

There is info in the article.
Forida 300, May 19th
http://www.thebeachcats.c…orida-300-may-19-may-22/

The new website is http://Florida300.com

Please help spread the word by Liking the Facebook page here.
https://www.facebook.com/…rida-300/829462057080852

--
Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

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The Florida 300 cleared a major hurtle yesterday. We needed permission to land the boats on the Key Biscayne beach which is the first leg of the race. Warren Greene met with the Key Biscayne Village Council to request a variance and it was granted unanimously.

http://www.Florida300.com



Edited by cyberspeed on Mar 05, 2014 - 09:09 AM.

--
Craig Van Eaton
West Palm Beach
Supercat 20
www.teamcyberspeed.com
www.sailseries.com
--

cyberspeed

Warren Greene met with the Key Biscayne Village Council to request a variance and it was granted unanimously.

http://www.Florida300.com Edited by cyberspeed on Mar 05, 2014 - 09:09 AM.

That's great! Warren has amazing patience working with all the different vested interests. These beach communities love to use beachcats on the beach in their advertising and tourist info, just not actually have any of them on their piece of the beach.

--
Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

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from another site

"Just got this email from Warren Green:
We are fast approaching a do or die for the Florida 300. We have all agreed: There must be 10 boats registered and committed with a deposit of $100 by March 15th or there will be no race. We feel sure of 8 now. There are so many things left to do and we need registrations. Our formal and legal structure is required to get the insurance, and we will not commit to this without sailor commitments. We are ready to go but need registrations. Our new corporation will be “Sail Series promotions Inc”, if no complications. The SI is in preparation, the committee is at work. Our dates are May 19-22, 2014. Our locations are secured. Our web site to get forms and see the NOR is www.florida300.com We start at the Islander resort in the Florida Keys and end in Cocoa Beach.

www.florida300.com

Warren Green

Developing committee member"

Come on guys - they need 2 more boats to make this happen
where are the distance sailors ???

It's very close, just need the last couple of firm commitments to make it happen.

This is a very "doable' course by any experienced cat sailor with an F18 or faster type boat.

If the race is on the final leg from Vero Beach FL to Cocoa Beach, FL will be open to enter and will have a separate start for boats with Hobie 16 or faster portsmouth rating.

--
Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

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We now have 11 teams with deposits in and the race is on!
Names and teams to be released on www.florida300.com

--
Craig Van Eaton
West Palm Beach
Supercat 20
www.teamcyberspeed.com
www.sailseries.com
--

We now have 12 teams with deposits in and the race is on!
We will close at 20 teams. Names and teams to be released on florida300.com

Our new corporation will be “Sail Series Promotions Inc”, if no complications. The SI is in preparation, the committee is at work. Our dates are May 19-22, 2014. Our locations are secured. We start at the Islander resort in the Florida Keys and end in Cocoa Beach.

The last leg of the Florida 300 will be deemed the "dogfight" and is a one day Vero to Cocoa Beach 50 mile run, with any 16 ft to 22 ft catamaran that would like to try out a leg of this race. The boats that join in will be sent off earlier, and race to cocoa with the rest of the Florida 300 racers. We have a great area to put in at Vero and pull out in cocoa, and all will be invited to the rib feat dinner in Cocoa that night.

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.



Edited by cyberspeed on Mar 17, 2014 - 07:22 AM.

--
Craig Van Eaton
West Palm Beach
Supercat 20
www.teamcyberspeed.com
www.sailseries.com
--

Looks like this is really happening! Craig and the other organizers have done a LOT of footwork to get this going for this year. Should be a great run.

If anyone is on the fence, these guys are no amateurs and really no their stuff and what is required to make a successful distance race. Everything is being done with an eye towards a good experience for the racers.

--
Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

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Florida 300 Preliminary Entry List:
Larry Ferber. I-20
Islander Watersports 1, Nacra 6.0
Islander Watersports 2, TBA
Brett Moss, Marstrom 20
Jay Sonnenklar, I-20
Royal Orange, I-20
Terry Greene, I-20
Kirk Newkirk, Nacra 20-C
Todd Hart, AHPC C-2
Charles Tomeo, Nacra F-18
Richard MacDonald, Cirrus R F-18

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.

If any corrections are needed, PM me.



Edited by cyberspeed on Mar 19, 2014 - 07:54 PM.

--
Craig Van Eaton
West Palm Beach
Supercat 20
www.teamcyberspeed.com
www.sailseries.com
--

That's a great lineup for the first year!

--
Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

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Hi Damon,
I was going through some old Tybee and Worrell videos and noticed a lot of the sailors doing this years Florida 300 were in them. I am going to try to compile stats on how many Tybee 500's and Worrell 1000's the Florida 300 sailors have between them.

If any of this years sailors see this, can you send the info to craig@sailseries.com



Edited by cyberspeed on Mar 20, 2014 - 12:44 PM.

--
Craig Van Eaton
West Palm Beach
Supercat 20
www.teamcyberspeed.com
www.sailseries.com
--

The preliminary hotel list posted. We are still working on Cocoa Beach and I will have a second option for Palm Beach Shores (Singer Island).
www.Florida300.com/hotels

--
Craig Van Eaton
West Palm Beach
Supercat 20
www.teamcyberspeed.com
www.sailseries.com
--

The Cocoa Beach Hotel info is posted. We also have a second option for Palm Beach Shores which is a little nicer. If we get five rooms, we will get a 25% discount on the rooms.
http://florida300.com/hotels

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.

--
Craig Van Eaton
West Palm Beach
Supercat 20
www.teamcyberspeed.com
www.sailseries.com
--

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 >>>



--
Craig Van Eaton
West Palm Beach
Supercat 20
www.teamcyberspeed.com
www.sailseries.com
--

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



Follow Us:
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.

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Craig Van Eaton
West Palm Beach
Supercat 20
www.teamcyberspeed.com
www.sailseries.com
--

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

--
Craig Van Eaton
West Palm Beach
Supercat 20
www.teamcyberspeed.com
www.sailseries.com
--

SAILING INSTRUCTION CHANGES:

ADDED:
3.2 General Waypoints
Islamorada: 24°55.125'N; 80°37.77'W
Key Biscayne: 25°41.735'N; 80°9.39'W
Palm Beach Shores: 26°46.736'N; 80°1.881'W
Vero Beach: 27°38.026'N; 80°21.045'W
Cocoa Beach: 28°22.124'N; 80°36.112'W
Note: These waypoints are for general reference only. The actual finish line will be determined when the race committee surveys the finishing area on the day of the race.

CHANGED:
8. Required Safety Equipment
8.1 For Each crew member, attached to person
a. US Coast Guard (USCG) approved PFD personal PFD, worn at all times while racing. All life preservers will be in reasonably new & undamaged condition.

Note: The RC will recognize the country certification of a pfd used by a sailor in a boat of his own competing country. Foreign sailors using US registered vessels must wear USCG approved pfd’s. This is IAW USCG Regulations. Modification of a pfd voids the certification either country.

b. One small Enclosed or folded knife
c. Whistle
d. Waterproof flashlight
e. Personal Safety strobe light
f. One 406 MHz EPIRB. One SPOT Satellite Messenger can be used instead of the EPIRB by one of the sailors but not both. If a SPOT is used it must be in tracking mode, capable of notifying rescue services, your team leader and the RC at 561.371.2663. SPOTs must be demonstrated at inspections and show a positive test. (Optional per individual in Dogfight) *(See Asterisk item below)

Note: 121 & 243MHz EPIRBS are no longer acceptable. Proof of NOAA Registration of 406 MHz EPIRBs must be provided to the race equipment inspector. Each Sailor shall have available to him liquids to sustain himself for the duration of the days sail.

8.2 For Each Boat, secured to boat:
a. Waterproof VHF Radio, (Strongly Recommended for Dogfight, but optional)
b. One Water protected cell phone
c. Marine Grade Compass, attached to boat or a secured handheld for Dogfight.
d. Three Current day/night flares (At least one should be night rated.)
e. Safety line, at least 20’ in length, to be used for towing
f. One throw-able PFD
g. SPOT Satellite Trackers are highly encouraged if not carried by one of the sailors. The SPOT Tracker must be in tracking mode, attached to be visible for satellites, per boat. We will be using www.Kattack.com tracking system for live SPOT tracking. It will be available via www.Florida300.com website with daily replays. We will also have a monitor at the finishing locations each day showing the live tracking for race committee, team members & spectators. *(See Asterisk item below)

* SPOT Tracking is required to be coordinated with Craig Van Eaton (email: info@sailseries.com; phone: 561.371.2663). We will have SPOT’s available to rent at $40 for the trip which must be arranged in advance by contacting Craig Van Eaton.

The updated Sailing Instruction can be found at www.Florida300.com. Anyone that has suggestions or issues with the SI's are welcome to email BOTH Warren (wggreen08@cfl.rr.com)and myself (info@sailseries.com). We plan on posting a "final version" on May 1st.

--
Craig Van Eaton
West Palm Beach
Supercat 20
www.teamcyberspeed.com
www.sailseries.com
--

Key Sailing takes First Florida 300 >>>

Turtle Mojo: Race Report >>>

Any other sailing stories from either Skipper, Crew or Ground Crew point of view, please email: info@sailseries.com

--
Craig Van Eaton
West Palm Beach
Supercat 20
www.teamcyberspeed.com
www.sailseries.com
--