What - When - Where - Forum - Details - Who

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

NEW!!  Pat Jackson has created some AWESOME Chartlets and Annotations for the trip!!!  Get your very own copy by right-clicking and selecting "Save As" here: Florida 120 Charlets and Trip Annotations

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 13-16, 2010.

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

People who have signed up at www.florida120.com :

Registering is important so I have emergency contact information for everyone.  Also, I may send out last minute updates via email as the date approaches.  There is no cost to registering and I will only be using the contact information for the Florida 120.

Updated 3/29

Class 1:

Scott Widmier                                    bateau.com C12 “Little Gem”

Ray Aldridge                                      Slider-self designed catamaran

Gary Blankenship                               Frolic 2 “Oracle”

Andy Kohler                                      Apollo

John & Kenny Cooper                       Glen L 14 “Katey Jane”

Sam Hunter                                        Modified Sharpie 16’

Michael Williamson                            Catamaran “Lili Boulanger”

John Bell                                            Oday Daysailor 17

Ken Potts                                           Coresound 17 ‘Southbound’

Robert Grona Jr.                                Windrider 17 Trimaran

Lowell Stephens                                 Windrider 17 Trimaran

Kevin Hahn                                        Catamaran ‘Lady Luck’

Scott Gosnel                                       Mayfly 14

Brett Hahulski                                     Precision 16 “Slack Tide”

Dean Pacetti                                       Slidercat "Honu"
Jared Flemer                                      Expedition Windsurfer

Class 2:

Dylan Lawson                                    Wayfarer 16

Pat Jackson                                        Precision 18 “Business”
Tony Liwag                                         Sailboat “Oyster”
Gordon Barcomb                                “Laguna Uno”
Gary Hirsch                                         Wayfarer “Solje”

Class 3:

Justin Pipkorn                                     Vagabond+ “Just Right”

Pat Johnson                                        ?

Andiamo                                            Precision 23

Brian Hart                                          MacGregor 26X “Windsong”

Warren Hughes                                  Cape Dory 22

Charlie and Isabelle McLemore          Compac Suncat “Dorable”

Jimmy Harrell                                     MacGregor 16D “Pi Cloud”

Pat Mellema                                       Weekender 16 “Sanddragon”

Carl Aubele                                        “Sur La Mer”                        

David Ware                                        23’ homebuilt ‘Merlin’

Noel Nicholls                                     Cortez 16 ‘BlueByu’
John Moore                                         Seapearl 21

Class 4

Pat Johnson                                        MicroTrawler

Mike Wingard                                    Horizon Cat 10’ “Deja Veau”

People who have indicated they are coming but not yet registered:

Mike Monies                                       “Laguna Dos”

Paul Boucher                                      Puddle Duck Racer “Flying Frog II”

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