Charleston Race Week

[Nick Ward]

Sign up is open for this year's event, early entry ends on January 31... 

http://www.yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=2997

[Peter Beardsley]

First 4 boats are signed up.  For those who want to make a tour of it, there may be free storage in Annapolis between CRW and Annapolis NOOD (there are now 12 Vipers in the Chesapeake and there should be a start at the NOOD this year with a good turnout), and then free storage elsewhere in the region between Annapolis NOOD and Viper Atlantic Coast Champs a month later at Hampton YC June 2-4. 

[Geoff Ewenson]

 Happy to help "host" boats during a stop on the way north. Free storage for the first 10 boats to commit.

Please see me or Zeke in Sarasota. Unfortunately missing the first one, but looking forward to sailing there in January.

Geoff Ewenson
USA 248

[Peter Beardsley]

Now up to 7 boats - know of a few others who are planning to sign up soon to get us to 10+ entries.  A primer on doing CRW for those who haven't done it: http://charlestonraceweek.com/race-info/how-to-do-race-week

For those who have done it or who have strong feelings about the event from past years, please know the following:

- There was a rep that the regatta was tough logistically, esp. for Vipers.  Thanks to the hard work of Tom Loutrel and Zeke Horowitz, it was a much better experience in 2016, which will continue in 2017. 

- Launching: if you don't want to deal with the ramp and any chaos and shenanigans that may happen there, many Vipers launched from Charleston YC via hoist in 2017 - trailers were stored nearby, minimal hassle, no drama, lots of docks. 

- Dockage: Zeke coordinated storage at The College of Charleston - minimal rafting, lots of room for Vipers, no weird tying between piers, no extreme current issues, no boat damage at the docks in 2016.

- Support Boats: Tom Loutrel had a motorboat or two dedicated to Vipers on the course in case we needed a tow (wasn't necessary in 2016), but really nice to have in case the wind shuts off.

- Lodging: a new building with a bunch of extra beds was completed at the resort recently I am told.  Not sure what that means for rates, but there are lots of other motels in the Mt. Pleasant area that are a lot less expensive.

The scenery and post race scene in Charleston is fun.  The beach parties with the unlimited Dark & Stormies are fun.  The much shorter drive than Miami is great, though it's not everyone's definition of fun, though if you have a bunch of folks in the car, all nighters aren't so hard to pull with driver rotations.  If you haven't been before, or haven't been in a while, it's a nicer setup.  Plus the Vipers are far away from Middle Ground - no Vipers ran aground in 2015 or 2016 as far as I know...

[Justin Scott]

Mambo Kings took a break from CRW after many good times there. We are getting nostalgic for crab at the Wreck and are trying to put the logistics together.