Charleston Race Week -2012. Let's make it the largest Viper attendance ever.

[Peter Beardsley]

Houston, we have our first Houston entry.  And the first Houston entry beats the first Rhode Island entry -- they must be really snowed in bad in Newport.  

For anyone who needs a reminder of what's at stake, the M20 guys are feeling their oats from their Miami circuit, deservedly so after getting 40 boats on the line.  But now they're talking back:

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http://forums.sailinganarchy.com/index.php?showtopic=129241
Posted Today, 07:41 PM
Congrats to the Melges team for getting 40 boats to the line. As a former M20 owner I always knew it would happen. The best thing I have seen is all of Viper guys eating crow right now. After the on slot of BS we got about paying what we do for the boats. It will be really nice to see the M20 with 10-20 more boats consistently on the line more than Viper in just a short time.
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Not worth replying -- best response is to put a ton of Vipers on the line (and then plane past them on the way out and back from the racecourse while the M20 guys are fiddling with outboards, bailing water from the forward compartment and making sure their wallets don't get wet).  If anyone thinks they're short on crew, there are a lot of people in the NY area who have already asked me if I know of skippers who are looking for crew for any of these events...

[Justin Scott]

Brad and Lee are suprisingly slow across the startline for this one. Not often we're all ahead of the Jackpot!

As it gets colder our blood thickens, which results in slower reaction time.

Alcohol is an anticoagulant

[Matt Sole]

No sure if we are going to have the same BS as last year with the limited entries but just in case, be warned!!

[Lee Eikel]

Anyone have suggestions on where to stay?  Do you have to keep your boat at Charleston Harbor resort?  Are there any other options?  Where do we rig and launch?  Sorry about all the questions.  Thanks!

[Peter Beardsley]

Don't look now, but we're up to 20 entries from 13 states (Ontario is now the 51st state -- I'm guessing you guys would prefer that vs. annexation by Quebec).  Good stuff. 

[Dave Nickerson]

Lee - the resort will have some decent deals on rooms and there are lots of other lower priced chain hotels nearby in Mt Pleasant.

Most folks rig and trailer launch at a nice public ramp up the river slightly about 10 min by car from the resort.  Great on Thursday, very crowded on Sunday.  Heard rumors of more options this year.  The regatta organizers will get out the details later.

Keep your boat at the resort marina.  That's were the festivities are and the logistics are very good.  Last year Olaf organized a group purchase of a bunch of slips.  Maybe he'll step in again this year as an experienced veteran.  There are free slips at the marina, but be ready for a pretty long walk out to your boat and likely the need to raft with other boats.

[Peter Beardsley]

Now up to 24 Vipers.  I know of at least 3 other boats from Larchmont who say they are coming but who haven't registered yet. 

[David Furna]

Anyone started a list for the Viper Pit so we can own a dock at the Marina?

Let's get that locked in early....Olaf lead the charge last year.

[Darren Gilbert]

Do they charge extra for dockage?

[Matt Sole]

There is free dockage but its not that great. Using the many boats in one slip system that has been going on for the past couple of years, it is fairly cheap to dock. Olaf did a stand up job last year of organising what we are calling the the 'Viper pit' also there was a keg scheduled.  It was $100 for the three nights but that did include free beer!

[Dan Tucker]

There is free dockage but its not that great. Using the many boats in one slip system that has been going on for the past couple of years, it is fairly cheap to dock. Olaf did a stand up job last year of organising what we are calling the the 'Viper pit' also there was a keg scheduled.  It was $100 for the three nights but that did include free beer!

Or was it $100 for beer, with free dockage?? That's only $11 per day per crew for beer when you get to the dock...

[Lee Shuckerow]

Anyone have suggestions on where to stay?  Do you have to keep your boat at Charleston Harbor resort?  Are there any other options?  Where do we rig and launch?  Sorry about all the questions.  Thanks!

Hey lee we stay at the hotel next to the huddle house. Less than five minutes from the yacht club and less than half the cost.

[Peter Beardsley]

27 Vipers signed up as of right now.  Reminder that the early registration "discount" ends on January 23 (i.e., 3.2 days from now), so unless you enjoy paying an extra $50 for no reason, sign up and pay your entry fee.  Also, reminder that this is the Atlantic Coast Championship for 2012 for Vipers.  It may also end up being a qualifying regatta for the EFG Pan American Championship Circuit (details TBA, also might not be, stay tuned).  Sign up at http://www.yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=552

Region turnout to date:
Western Long Island Sound: 8
Marblehead: 5
Canada (includes places that get Canadian radio stations like Wisconsin and upstate NY): 4
Texas / Gulf Coast: 3
Southeast: 3
Newport: 2
Eastern Long Island Sound: 2

[Dave Nickerson]

If you are cheap like me and haven't paid yet, CRW entry fee goes up $50 tomorrow, Tues 1/24!!!!

Details here...
http://www.charlestonraceweek.com/race-entry/race-registration/

[Craig Wilusz]

Thanks for the heads up Dave.  We registered.