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.
The next challenge will take place on May 13-16, 2010.
Here is the google-earth file of the 2009 route: http://texas200.com/florida120-revised.kmz.
The 2010 route will be very similar and a .kmz file will be updated soon!
Is there a forum?
Not yet. Check the BLOG tab at the top for any discussion topics for now.
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 30 miles as the crow flies. It is a beautiful sail through protected
waters and no narrow channels (unless you are deep draft). We stop at
Juana's in Navarre where we will have a barbeque and be able to reprovision for the return trip.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
30 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 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 sort of 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.
This is a gorgeous and exciting route with beautiful and soft white-sand
beaches to camp on and some longer 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.