DaySailer.org Forum

If anyone is interested, the Everglades Challenge starts this weekend. I noticed on the roster there is a DS I sailing this year under the names of Millarkey & Wrangler (class 4 boat).

The tracking map for Class 4 boats is at http://www.watertribe.com/Events/Challe ... eID=EC2016

John

Someone posted pictures of the DS I on Facebook of the boats lined up on the beach for the start. Looks like an earlier DS I with the cut down wood coamings.

John

They are Millarkey on the tracker, and looks like they are holed up just south of Little Creek on Highland Beach, possibly awaiting a better wx window to round the corner to CP3 at Flamingo. I guess they came and went through CP2 and signed the log w/o the CP captain even knowing they were there! ;-P

They must have checked in at CP2, there is a time for them on the results list. They haven't been sailing at night, otherwise I think they would have been further along. They are probably not familiar enough with the area to sail in the dark like other boats that have done the event before. For sailing just in daylight hours, they are making good time.

John

Yep, they checked in and signed the log, but apparently they tied the boat up elsewhere on the island, walked to the checkin station and back, and left w/o the CP captain even knowing they were there. Didn't want any fanfare I guess! They *are* doing well considering all the stops they've made.

Tim, is CP2 the one with all the mud? Could be why they didn't go in.

John

Yes, CP2 is at Chokoloskee, which is surrounded by mud flats at low tide. That is intentional as one of the "filters". I believe they arrived and left at or shortly after high tide. In a way, no one can blame them for wanting to get in there, sign the log, and get the <BEEP> outta there with the outgoing tide!

Thought that might be the muddy one. I look at sailors walking thru the mud and it reminds me of the spoil islands on the Tx200 except with less mud.

John

EC navigation is pretty straightforward from the start down to CP2: you either go inside or outside or a combination of the two (you have to come inside to get to CP1 at Cape Haze, but that one's pretty easy). It's from CP2 to CP3 and on down to Largo that it starts to get "interesting"! ;-P

Looking at the maps I can see that after CP2 you have a choice of the outside or going thru the Everglades (for those without a mast). Once you get to the tip and turn east to head to CP3, I guess you have to hope the wind doesn't clock around to the east.

I noticed that Millarkey has been in the same spot showing 0 knots since yesterday evening. Do you know if they are just stopped for a rest or are they aground.

John

Correct: most of the kayakers will leave Choco and paddle the inland lakes and bays, actually coming in to CP3 at Flamingo from the North via Buttonwood Canal.

The wind clocking around to the East is exactly what happened to the challengers trying to make Largo in the last couple of days!

Not sure what's going on with Millarkey/Wrangler - they've been sitting there a stone's throw from CP3 for awhile? Paula hasn't posted that they've withdrawn. Could be aground, but with 3 ft tides in the area, I doubt they'd be for more than one tide cycle? Who knows though: one year Mike Monies and Andy Linn were aground for 5 days in Florida Bay aboard Mike's Scamp! ;-P

Race Manager Paula Martel posted just now on FB:

"(Millarkey/Wrangler) Dismasted. Boat and sailors towed by park service to a safe beach."

Bummer. Wonder if they'll attempt a fix or are finished ... ?

Didn't want to hear that. Explains why they hadn't moved. Good to know they are safe ashore. I noticed they had a hinged mast instead of the single piece mast. I hope they can repair and continue. So close to CP3 and the final leg. It would be interesting to know the details.

John

Yeah, the details will come out eventually. Crew and boat are safe - that's the important part. I guess they didn't want a tow to CP3 because that would have DQ'd 'em, and they might still attempt repairs and keep going.

I guess the chance of repair might depend on how damaged the mast is and what repair supplies/tools they carry.

I know that when I sail the Tx200, I carry spare hardware (and fasteners) as well as a couple of old stays as emergency replacements. Also carry a few tools. Tim, you probably do something similar for the FL120 and your coastal trips. I would think they have some repair capability.

Hope they can repair and continue.

John