Conference unifix::sailing

What is a "worell 1000"?

paul

    I think the Worrell 1000 is a Catamaran race up the East Coast.
    The racers run from point to point, ala the european bike races.
    The race's biggest problem has been it's inability to catch the
    eye of a major sponsor/promoter.
    
    Ed

    the worell is a two man catamaran race. size is under 25 feet. they
    are now allowed to use spinakers on them. it used to be around florida,
    but now it starts in fla up the coast to virgina. the orginal route
    is still used, but it is call the hogbreath 1000 and is run in march
    i believe.
    
    to race you bring your boat, life vests,two crew (one sails with
    you, the other is a backup you can use whenever you want, but you
    have to pick them up on shore),
    flares, compass, maps and lots of courage. these boys get 25-30
    miles out, sail from 9 am to 1-4 in the morning. 
    last year a wild squall ripped up the boats, breaking masts
    and flipping the rest in the dark. an aussie team ended the leg at a
    nuclear power plant at 3 am. they walked up to the door and rang the
    bell. when the guy open the door, he was startled since the sailors
    hadn't taken off their wet suits. the Aussies quickly asked "We hope 
    we aren't too late for dinner!". 
                          
    there are legs to the race. your total sailing time is added up at
    the end and the shortest time wins. these guys are good ,as to be
    caught in the open ocean with no motor or radio in the middle of
    the night in a storm takes real seamanship.
                                    
    the organizers have final say as to whether you can race as they
    do not want rookies out there. to catamaran racers, this is one
    of the major events in life. Sort of like a yearly americas cup.
    
    john
    
    p.s. nobody has protested the design of another boat yet!!!!!!!
     
                                                             

    I just caught the last few minutes of the broadcast as well.
    It was great especially after having watched the slow 12 meter stuff
    on ESPN.  Having been sailing Hobie 16's for the past nine years
    I'm just a bit prejusticed, of course.
    
    I realize that mono hull people look down their noses at us catamaran
    types as we scream past but if you saw any part of the onwater of
    the Worall 1000 you could see the absolute thrill of being on a
    hot cat in good air.
    
    I wasn't aware that the Hog's Breath had taken the Worall's place
    in terms of course.  I remember that the Worall moved northward
    a few years ago but didn't remember that it was around the state.
    The Hog's Breath is named for the Hog's Breath Saloon in Ft. Walton
    Beach where the race starts.  I got to see it start several years
    ago when I was on a residency at Eglin AFB.  I believe it was in
    March but I'm not sure.
    
    Both are races for people with GREAT courage and/or a low level
    of insecurity relative to terror.
    
    Cat's are more fun but we can't ALL sail the same thing,
    
    Don

    Just an update
    
       the 87 Worrell is soon approaching. I have a friend crewing on
    the Lotus Hobie 18. He told me there will be 25 entries this year.
    He also said rumor had it randy smyth , the world's greatest
    catamaran sailor is designing a special boat with flat bottom
    hulls. evidently, randy wants to get up to planing speed and then
    only have the leeward daggerboard and rudder in the water. makes you wonder
    if you need a pilots licence to operate it ! 
    
    john
    
    

    RE .5:  (Hi John...see you on Sandy Bay this summer!)  There's a 
    recently-formed midwestern company called Planecats, Inc. which makes 
    planing catamarans from about 16' up to 40'.  They claim performance 
    to widen even a multihuller's eyes.  
    
    John.

    you mean i can get MORE SPEED? anyone want to buy a perfectly new
    hobie cat? just kidding.
    
    john