sad news, UFC cancelled

[switters]

The ultimate Florida Challenge has been canceled for 2008.

The everglades challenge is still on. Anyone on here doing this? I think its going to be a life goal after I finish Lake Powell.

[From Mystic]

Hello

I was actually trying to find someone doing the Everglades Challange to team up with. I will definatley do it at some point.

Safety always has to be first but I think they may be going a bit overboard. Its quite a daunting list of things they require you to have. I think they want to make it mandatory that all the boats have a tracking device. I think they may be losing some people and scaring off some hopefuls.

I think a NH Carpeneter would be a great design to do it in. FM

[switters]

I'm not familiar with the Carpenter, any links? I have thought about doing it (everglades challenge) in a goat island skiff if I ever finish it, but that would be just to make the route and not a serious race. I have very little sailing experience and none in salt water, but it does seem like a lot of safety gear for a coastal race. I've been up in the boundary waters and cant imagine having to portage all the gear they require.

[Sailman58]

I suspect that the cost of the required safety equipment is minor compared to the cost of the time off from work. Most of the things you would carry anyway considering that you could find yourself offshore, alone, at night, in an unpopulated area.

[phiil]

Re: NH Carpenter: Do you mean LFH's Carpenter? If so, the Sea Pearl is a stretched version of it, in glass. A number of Sea Pearls have participated (and finished!) in the Everglades Challenge. They are well suited to the race, although one has yet to win, I believe.

[mike hanyi]

well, If I wanted to win the thing the boat I would assemble is a 2-man rowing shell, under the outriggers as far outboard as possible I would put 2 hulls making her a long lean lightweight tri, if I could get them to balance out of the water it would be better-less drag when rowing. then have 2 carbon spars that have roller reefing built in, have a plank across the outriggers on each side for hiking and I would have that race in the bag. wouldent need much sail, as it is most likely faster under oar.

anybody got a better idea to win?

[kenjamin]

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

http://www.bandbyachtdesigns.com/ec22.htm

http://ford.physics.fsu.edu/B&B22.jpg

[mike hanyi]

Nice boat, but I think the sculling tri idea would excel with the exception of chop or surfing conditions

[switters]

Like a Tridarka? I saw that on Watertribe's site.

[From Mystic]

Re: NH Carpenter: Do you mean LFH's Carpenter? If so, the Sea Pearl is a stretched version of it, in glass. A number of Sea Pearls have participated (and finished!) in the Everglades Challenge. They are well suited to the race, although one has yet to win, I believe.


Yes thats exactly the boat I'm talking about. I did a canoe trip through the 100 mile trail and I think Carpenter (seapearl) would be the perfect boat for the trip. I wouldn't really go to win but I think you could make a good showing with that design.

Wooden Boats flood the 2009 EC? fm

[kenjamin]

http://ford.physics.fsu.edu/B&B22.jpg

I guess not everone got the joke.

Mike, when you asked if anyone had any better ideas to win the Everglades Challenge, I posted the picture of this boat. This was the winner of the 2007 Everglades Challenge.

In this long grueling race a monohull can take better care of her crew at least for a boat that (by the rules) has to be able to be pushed off the beach at start. The race also involves a lot of tricky navigation which is better done by a fresher crew.

Here's more pics of Southern Skimmer:

http://www.pbase.com/sailrosita/skimmer

[Tom Lathrop]

Figuring out what kind of boat is fast is only a part of winning the Everglades Challenge. I helped build the Souther Skimmer and am sitting to leeward to heel the boat in the photo taken at Cedar Key last year. Faster boats than the Skimmer have failed to win because they did not take good care of their crews who had to beach for some rest. 300 miles with no time out is no picnic even in good weather and the best boat.

First, you have to choose between the inside route and the outside route. If you are a sailboat, the outside in the ocean is the only way you have a chance to win. Small multihulls are faster but are tougher on crews. You have to have two crew to be first overall because one person cannot take the drain of that much activity, navigation and lack of sleep or rest long enough to finish.

If you are in position to win, then the last leg will be at night through a nightmare of shallow water with snakey and puzzling channels in Eastern Florida Bay. Plus if the wind is favorable for the first three legs so you have that chance to win, that last one will be upwind at night and you better have a boat that can tack in narrow spaces. Even if you have the best GPS, you will still need some local knowledge gained from sailing the last leg a time or two.

The three check points are all inside so foul currents in inlets must be dealt with also. Not to mention taking down the mast for low bridge and narrow bridge openings that limit beam. Some check points are in places requiring rowing or paddling. No outside assistance is allowed either on the water or at check points. If you need food or anything else at a check point, it cannot be supplied by a land crew.

There's a lot to consider and idle speculation won't get it done. Most entrants are happy just to finish and treat the Challenge as just that, an individual challenge.

There are a few serious multihull entrants coming this year. I hear the name Randy Smyth mentioned, for one. Given the most favorable conditions, a multi must win but an all round mono is still a good bet. Southern Skimmer will be back and better prepared and tuned.

[kenjamin]

Thanks Tom for the expert insight on the race. Here's a question for you. If we could get her off the beach, do you think a Caledonia Yawl could finish in time to be considered an official contestant? Not talking about winning, just officially competing. Just curious.

[switters]

how well does she row? Any idea of the weight when you launched? Great design.

I've never been on the route, but I understand that a good amount of rowing might be in store for any given year, esp the last leg as you mentioned and in and out of the Everglades City check point.

And thanks for coming on board with some information, I would gladly read anything on the subject you have time to type.

[Tom Lathrop]

I have some insight because I've been associated in one way or another for three years but I am no expert, not having sailed in the race. Working with Graham and talking to other entrants as well as being there is the limit of my knowledge. I will not be able to go this year because of a back operation in Feb.

I am not very familiar with the Caledonia Yawl but see no reason why it would not be a good boat to have a go at the EC in. Several Sea Pearls have finished the EC which is a good indication. I would think that the main requirement is that the crew be confident in the boat in conditions you might encounter in the race. Matt Layden completed the course last year in an 8' decked dinghy called Sand Flea in respectable time although he came down the inside route. Of course, his nickname is Wizard which is fits him well. There are many choices to make in your course, whichever route you choose. Tides and currents will often dictate the course in local areas.

Southern Skimmer is set up with two rowing stations. They are staggered fore and aft and offset from the center. This allows less interference between rowers and allows shorter oars in such a beamy boat. Often one rows while the other crew steers and tries to get some aid from the light wind. Rowing the EC 22, with lots of wetted surface, will be slower than in a boat better suited for rowing in any case. Trying to minimize wetted surface in light wind is why we were to leeward in the photo.