Is The Tampa Bay Course Going To Be Like Marathon?
 

Hello all,

The Tampa Bay course will it be like the Marathon course, racing along the bridge?

The race has been moved back to St. Pete.

Ever feel like a yo-yo??

Anywayeeee...Where is the best place to stay near the course? Any suggestions??

Priced at under $300/day???

OH yes..What are the dates of the race??

Thanks

You're going to want to stay at the Vinoy! It's THE place to be. Great hotel, in the heart of downtown, on the water, next to the pits, a short distance to the pier, and it will be the host hotel.

The race will be the weekend of the 18th. Look here:
http://www.apbaoffshore.com/events.cfm?eventid=7

Renaissance Vinoy Resort $189
727-894-1000 or 888-303-4430


Hilton of Downtown St Petersburg 333 1st St South $149.
727-894-5000


Oct 18 & 19:D

:fish:

Wow, that upper left corner is going to be tight.

I can't wait! :cool:

The course is similar (but different) to Marathon. Anything but a rectangle:o

But the race is still along the bridge?

Negative. The race is now going to take place in the bay in and around the vicinity of the St. Pete pier and the Vinoy Basin.

You can see it here:

http://www.apbaoffshore.com/pdf/Course1.pdf

I was told by someone (just can't recall who right now) that the basic rectangle was going to be rotated to give more racing along the shore by Albert Whitted Feild. It's a good idea, it would give a lot more shorebound people a better viewing area.

Ste Pete Rocks!
 

Guaranteed the best dry / wet pits of any race anywhere. The water is usually pretty flat and speeds will be some of the highest all year. Anybody care to argue that? Don't even think about it! BH

You got that right, Brian! It's got to be one of the best set-ups on the whole circuit. Wet pits, dry pits, course, viewing, host hotel all within a small area.

Nick, will this be better to watch from land or boat?

Yikes! - Turn #1 is 4 feet deep! :fish:

Land - the Pier or Sea Wall - you will not be disappointed - BH

I agree with Brian. The pier or the seawall in the park will be awesome places to watch from. The pier gives you an incredible vantage point of the whole course. The open rooftop is about 60 feet from sea level.

I have not seen where the spectator fleets are yet to be placed, but if you've ever watched from a boat, you'd know that sometimes they keep you pretty far away from the race course and because of your low level it's tough to see the other end of the course.

Powerboats On..the..Pier Firday Night!!

Those are "Mean Low's" Kitten on the charts....;) Dave

Yep, it's really not as shallow as it may seem. We blow through there all the time and I usually show about 6-8 feet.

However, you will want to hug that northwest turn. Too far North and you'll find some sandbars.

SEE EVERYONE THERE.