2012/2013 Miami Series. How many??

Tom Peterson · March 21, 2012, 04:55:02 PM

I agree with the proper spacing and number of events. I did not make Miami this year but plan to in the future but we do have to pay attention to quality over quantity. I agree with Lee that MGRW could really be affected if you lose just 3-4 boats by adding 2-3 event in Miami. I like the idea of 2 Miami events position well around existing events if possible. That's just the viewpoint on one lone Northern boat:)

Lee Eikel · March 21, 2012, 04:56:08 PM

I think you nailed it down pretty good.

Just for kicks and grins lets use the M20 schedule as a template

Gold Cup: December 8-11 --- A Viper event around this date is cool with me.
Miami Champs: Feb. 11-12 --- If MGRW was not gonna be well attended this would also be good.
Bacardi March 8-10 --- We know this works
Coarl Reef Cup --- This is the one that would be tough, to soon after Bacardi to close to Charleston.
Charleston Apr. 20-22 --- Don't mess with 40 boats on the line.

Just my 2 cents

Joe Healey · March 21, 2012, 06:16:24 PM

I agree with Lee, the Coral Reef Cup is just to tight in between the Bicardi and Charleston. I think at least 4 weeks in between events would work well.

Matt Sole · March 21, 2012, 11:45:05 PM

I liked this years schedule so this is what I would like to see.

Cupid Cup 16-17 February

Bacardi Sailing Week 7-9 March

Coral Reef Cup 23-24 March

No Conflict with Miami OCR.

If I was to do a fourth event 8-9 December would get the biggest turn out, I personally don't care if we conflict with the Melges 20 as I don't see many sailors crossing over. We could also move the Cupid Cup to the week before to give more time between that and Bacardi.

Jim Sears · March 22, 2012, 12:49:20 AM

MGRW is a great stepping stone to Miami for the boats out west, so I hope that it stays on the Viper calendar. In terms of Miami racing, I would prefer 1-2 well-attended regattas over 3-4 smaller events. Glad we're planning ahead!
-Jimbo

David Chapman · March 22, 2012, 07:34:42 AM

we don't plan to attend a series but!

I think you would attract new people to the class by having a few events
in the one spot over winter!
the etchells and M20s do it.

I spoke to a few etchells sailors at the recent sydney worlds and they love
there miami series but like the idea of planning downwind instead of plowing!

so you could convert a few people

Dan Tucker · March 22, 2012, 09:42:28 AM

Quote from: David Chapman on March 22, 2012, 07:34:42 AMI think you would attract new people to the class by having a few events
in the one spot over winter!
the etchells and M20s do it.

I spoke to a few etchells sailors at the recent sydney worlds and they love
there miami series but like the idea of planning downwind instead of plowing!

so you could convert a few people

Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner! For Class growth, this is a significant reason for a 3-4 regatta series in Miami. It's a big draw for a lot of people to have an easy, low-hassle way to do some regular racing in a nice venue over the winter. Granted, that's primarily east coast and mid-west owners that at Miami series would attract. From a commercial POV, Miami happens to be a great venue to sell boats- "Hey, why don't you fly in for the weekend from whatever cold, snowy, miserable place you are and try sailing a Viper?" Wallets get looser...

It would be nice to think that we could dictate the dates we want, but the reality of sailing in Coconut Grove is that there is a LOT going on, including OCR, that we have to work around as a "newcomer". The infrastructure (storage/launch/RC) is also pretty stressed by the demand from lots of Classes. After Bacardi, there was a huge Lightning regatta, then a huge Snipe Regatta. I'm pushing hard to keep the events at least 3 weeks apart, and no more than 5 weeks apart. Right the racing calendar for the Bay is relatively open, other than the longstanding events like OCR, Bacardi and Coral Reef Cup. M20 regattas are not an issue, they're off in their Melges cocoon.

There is no intent to try to compete with MGRW, but due to the way MGRW moves around, scheduling conflicts are inevitable some years. CRW also moves around a bit to try to provide favorable tides for the leadmines sailing outside to get in and out with favorable current. Some years it would be closer to Coral Reef Cup than others. The answer is the same to this problem as it has always been- Let's keep growing the Class! More owners, more boats out there, and the regional events only get better and better, and conflicts matter less and less. This year has been a turning point for the Viper Class in this regard, I was looking at the calendar to schedule a demo, and it struck me how many weekends had overlapping events around the country. As a relatively "old-timer" I was floored. I think that as a Class, we need to begin to focus on regional conflicts more than inter-regional conflicts.

My opinion is that a "stay-put" series is a bigger draw with 4 events than 3, but you guys are all over the map!

Can we please try to focus on the question? :) 3 events or 4??

Matt Sole · March 22, 2012, 11:53:14 AM

Dan, can you edit the original post and insert a poll?

Justin Scott · March 22, 2012, 05:47:00 PM

Just throwing out an idea, might get the best of both worlds.

The way the Bacardi works for travellers is that you take Tuesday thru Friday off work. Even if your boat is already in place, you are taking Weds thru Friday off.

You get to Coconut Grove. Its beautiful. The weather is gorgeous. The sailing is awesome. The beaches and restaurants look great. But its rushed and I always go away wishing I had more sailing and more time to relax.

I rented a cool little house in the grove this year but didnt spend much time there.I would have loved a day swinging in the hammock, having some Viper friends over for a cookout and checking out the beach, maybe taking the Viper out for a cruise to the bar/restaurant at the end of Key Biscayne. Maybe some fly fishing with Joe Healey and Glyn on the flats. What a great spot for a bit of R&R.

The cost of a week would not have been much more than what I paid for 4 days. Hotels are cheaper if you book a 1 week stay.

So I find myself thinking how about

Friday night/Saturday: Drive to Miami
Sunday/ Monday : 2 Day regatta hosted by USSC
Tuesday/Wednesday ; One Day of R & R. One Day cruise with the Viper fleet to somewhere fun.
Thursday/Friday/ Sat : Bacardi Cup.
Sunday : Fly home leaving boat behind for Coral Reef Cup in four weeks time.

4 weeks later Coral Reef Cup and then tow the boat to Charleston.

Advantages: Doesn't mess with MGRW
Its a real vacation, as well as sailing
We get three regattas with a lot less time off work and less hassle /expense.

Anyway...just an idea.

But I would like to make a monster plea for Bacradi to be brought forward one week earlier.

Lee Eikel · March 22, 2012, 07:00:00 PM

By George I think he has got something!

I like it.

David Chapman · March 23, 2012, 01:00:48 AM

last year I think we did a boat tour with Cliff? maybe not sure

he took us to the other side, not sure which island.
he spoke about some great cuban bar.

given the wind is most of the time from either, NE,E or SE.

we could leave upwind in the morning, have a feed, downwind home.

I think Justin will remember which bay/island the place was???

Jim Sears · March 23, 2012, 01:25:22 AM

LOVE Justin's plan! Maybe that "cruise" day could be a distance race? We did a similar setup for California Lightning Circuit: 2 day regatta, lay day, 20-mile distance race (from Coronado up to Mission Bay, rum usually on board), then another regatta. Each segment scored as a separate regatta, but then overall circuit trophies presented, too. This was favorite annual tradition for many years. A whole week of sailing would be a huge reason to plan a "play-cation" in Miami!

-Jimbo

Jeff Jones · March 23, 2012, 05:24:08 AM

Something like what Justin suggests could convince some Texas boat's to make the trip to Miami, nice idea. I could also see some west coast fellas stacking up for a week-long event in miami then charleston.

Sears - if we do a distance race might i suggest allowing the addition of traps. Pretty quick and simple to stick on. Or figure out how to make it downwind the whole way. Cause i ain't hiking that long. ;-)

Justin Scott · March 23, 2012, 04:38:24 PM

Quote from: Jeff Jones on March 23, 2012, 05:24:08 AM

Sears - if we do a distance race might i suggest allowing the addition of traps. Pretty quick and simple to stick on.

Crawfish traps? Excellent idea and then cook out.

Nah...let's go for the cuban bar. Chappers is dead on. Cliff took us there in his rum runner. He would be game to escort the fleet and throw out refreshments and take passengers.

Well Viper Vacation week on the Biscayne seems to be gathering some favor.

David Oliver · March 24, 2012, 12:33:03 AM

Having the challenge of selecting vacation by the week, a year in advance, this would be a wonderful opportunity to get in a lot of sailing with the least amount of time away from job (and pleasing family who also want vacation at other times than regattas - thought I raised the kids better than that). Besides, I might manage to move up to next-to-DFL with all this concentrated practice!