Hey Charlie,
Any thoughts about adding a "relay-race" type format alongside the 271 miler? It would give some of the guys who don't want to do the whole thing a chance to link up (maybe via OSO) and put a team together to run shorter legs in their home waters. Maybe a couple classes, like groups of 4, each running 70 miles and groups of 8 each running 35 miles. It's probably a lot to orchestrate, but it might draw more people to the event as a whole. Maybe a few key marinas could host the "exchange of the baton" and we could set up some live internet telecasts of the big race. Since it is a race around the island, why not make it a race involving the whole island? Just a thought. I don't get many of them these days so I thought I'd share.
C

listen,,I need the plow money.

Take that thought and put some details with it and let us take a good look at it.

All we are really trying to do, is to educate the next generation of boater who has no idea of what real open ocean racing is like.

Any idea that allows them to get a taste of that...... is helping us to accomplish that goal.

Give me the details and let us see how we can make it work in the framework we operate in...insurance, safety boats, safety equipment on the boats etc etc.

Well you guys have a great time
I'm out
Just got admitted to the hospital and again
Pic line got infected with 2 days to go on it
All the vna nurses fault on this one
I'm just glad I caught it in time
I'll be in here for a couple of days

How about a figure 8 race around Marthas Vineyard and Nantucket ,,, then im in :)

Okay Christian, I spoke to some of our Board members and here is what they are thinking.

We would be interested to see the boat count go up and more people exposed to the sport, so they propose the following.

DON ARONOW MEMORIAL RELAY RACE AROUND LONG ISLAND

Relay teams of four boats. Entry fee divided by four.

First boat of the team starts with all the other regular racers at the start in Port Washington..

First boat goes to Port Jefferson which is about 70 - 75 miles away. Sheltered water as it on the north of the island.

Second boat picks up the... baton or whatever ....and goes from Port Jefferson to Shinnecock, another 70 miles or so. This will be the roughest part of the route around Montauk

Third boat goes from Shinnecock all the way down the South shore to the Verrazano Bridge over to Staten Island. This is all open ocean running and should be the biggest boat of the four.

Fourth boat goes from the Verrazano Bridge, back to the finish back at Port Washington. Nice position for a fast cat, as it is all calm water.

Relay race would not be part of the major non stop race, but a separate division, with it's own prizes and records etc. Teams can mix and match any boat and engine combination to make up a team.

Maximum boat length is 55 feet and minimum boat length is 18 feet.

HOWEVER, we don't want just one or two teams showing up......try to get together a half dozen or more.

All race boats must carry all safety equipment.

see you guys shortly