What - When - Where - Forum - Details - Who
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| All participants in the Florida 120 should print, read and fill out a participant form and bring it to the event (to download a form, click one of the icons above) This information will only be used for Florida 120 purposes primarily contact information in case we need to find you. If you have any questions feel free to email me at: swscfleetcaptain@yahoo.com |
 What is the "Florida 120"?
The
Florida 120 is a raid-type event not unlike the Texas200 and other
similar events. It is not so much a race as a challenge for small
boats.
When will it take place?
It will take place on May 14-17, 2009.
What is the route?
Here is the google-earth file of the route: http://texas200.com/florida120-revised.kmz
Is there a forum?
Yes, click HERE for more information, discussion or to ask questions
Tell me more...
We will launch and recover from Pirates Cove near Josephine, AL. It is
a classic old-time Florida hamburger joint with marina and they are
receptive to events like ours. In fact, they are hosting a woodenboat
get-together the first weekend in May.
Thursday we will have a meeting at 8am that is not required but will be
a chance to get to know everyone and start together. I do realize some
folks may not be able to make it until Thursday morning. We then sail
15 miles but through the twistiest portion of our route to the spoil
island across from Ft. McRee that has been called Sand Island but is
marked as Robinson Island on Google Earth. This is a beautiful
camp-cruising spot with protected anchorage for deeper draft boats.
Tent camping is common on these spoil Islands. Hopefully we will arrive
with plenty of time for swimming and socializing. Anyone want to set up
a beach grill?
Friday is a long sail with 38 miles as the crow flies. This is a
challenge after all! However, it is a beautiful sail through protected
waters and no narrow channels (unless you are deep draft). We stop at
the westernmost spoil island in Santa Rosa sound with nice protected
anchorage to the south. Pat Johnson scouted this for us the weekend
before Thanksgiving and reported perfect conditions including a 45
degree angled beach which may even allow wing-keelers to step off
dryfoot on the sand. There is also a real-nice public park and boatramp
nearby if people want to join or leave us there depending on schedule.
We could easily ferry people over from the park to join us on the
island.
 The
38 miles is repeated in reverse on Saturday. On both days we have a
couple of great bail-outs in case the weather doesn't cooperate. One is
the town of Navarre which has showers, a nice launchramp, a convenience
store, and a good restaurant and bar. There is also a convenience store
in Pensacola Beach right off of ill-named quietwater beach. This is the
beach behind flounders and there are docks available. We stop Saturday
night on the barrier island off of Big Lagoon a mile past Sand Island,
our first night stop. This is a good opportunity to walk accross to the
Gulf and enjoy the waves!
Our final day, Sunday, we sail
the sortof twisty 15 miles back to Pirates Cove where we will have an
early dinner and awards ceremony (gotta have those funny awards!).
Anyone who is interested in helping with awards please let me know.
I am really excited about this route with beautiful and soft white-sand
beaches to camp on and some legs to challenge
The Challenge
The
challenge is to do the entire route relying less on an outboard and
more on oar and wind. However, all are welcome so there have been
four classes set up to complete the Florida 120 challenge under.
Regardless of the class, motor or tows will be permitted under bridges
and in other areas where navigational hazards make the skipper
uncomfortable.
Class 1: Motorless
Anyone who does the challenge without a motor in or on the boat.
Class 2: Motor Contingency
For people who have motors in or on their boat but do not use them for
the entire course...some may ask why these two classes? However, there
is a huge mental difference between having motor as backup and not
having a motor at all.
Class 3: Limited Motor
For people who use their motor within 300 yards of the nightly stopping
points. Especially needed for those with larger boats
Class 4: Unlimited Motor
Just like it sounds...those who want to accompany us and do the
challenge but want to use their motor rather than bob n bake or want to
do the challenge in a motorboat.
Who's' coming:
Florida 120 2010 - Attending List - Updated 2/7
Scott Widmier, bateau C12, ‘Little Gem’
Jimmy Harrell, MacGregor 26D ‘PiCloud’
Ken Potts, Core Sound 17 ‘Southbound’
Pat Mellema, Weekender ‘Sanddragon’
David Ware, 23’ Homebuilt, ‘Merlin’
Carl Aubele, ‘Sur La Mer’
Gordon Barcomb, 23’ Laguna ‘Lagunauno’
John Bell, Oday Daysailor 17
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