2016 Ultimate Florida Challenge Discussion
(115 posts) (27 voices)-
Hello, I have that cart. It is nice, should carry your load but it is heavy too. The poles for it are fairly thick but I assume they have to be for the load it can carry. When you tow a heavy load it is critical to get the boat balanced correctly otherwise it goes all wonky and tries to throw you off the bike! There is a spring setup to connect to the bike that is funky as well, does the job but causes problems too.
I have to mention what has been said before. In some cases it will make sense to use a bike, like medical, otherwise it does not make sense to carry something during a 1200 mile race 96.5 percent of the time when you will only be using it for less than 3.5 percent of the time. (aprox 40 miles)
PD, thanks for the post to my page, glad you brought the discussion here. Oh, and I ended up losing 3 toenails! An option is to have them removed right?
Posted 5 years ago # -
MT,
You mentioned the long slender ridgid ama's and not being able to stow them in a seaworthy manner. An option may be to tow them behind the boat. If you make the tops of the amas flat then they could be secured together with top sides against each other and towed. I think this option would be considered seaworthy. It would be very little resistance in the water so would not slow you down much and if needed if you could cut them loose. A good example would be Mead's boat, he could do this now if he needed too. I am not sure if his tops are flat but you should get the idea.
Posted 5 years ago # -
Welcome Tom, Mark and Donald to the list of Ultimate Florida challengers. Looks like it is going to be a good 10 year anniversary for the challenge. As Scott says...many thinks to do and list is long so plan now.
Posted 4 years ago # -
WildBlue
MemberRefering to the rules about protaging... If you use the boat switch rule you are not allowed to use a bike for the portage.
Copy from Rules UFC 2016 Stage 4:
"You must carry all gear that you need for stage 4 for the entire challenge. The only thing that can be switched is the boat and paddles. Everything needed for the stage 4 boat must be carried the entire race. All of this will be checked at inspection."
"Boat switchers are not allowed to use a bike for the portage. You must walk."
"Class 4 and 5 challengers that do not switch boats will get a special designator in the race results"
Posted 4 years ago # -
Towing amas behind does not satisfy the rule for class 3. That being said, I was able to put my large amas, akas, mast and sail in my Dreamcatcher and paddle just fine.
Correct on the boat switch rule. No bikes allowed unless you have a special medical condition.
Same goes for wheelchairs. In some special cases, a wheelchair could be delivered at the start of the portage and then picked up at the end.
We can work with any special situation. If this applies to you, email me and we will work something out: Chief@WaterTribe.com
Posted 4 years ago # -
MicroTom
Key MasterJR & Chief,
My rigid ama idea was for entering in Class 5 with the Kruger Dreamcatcher. At that time I was hatching a plan to go fast and for long periods of time. I have re-thought that plan and registered as Class 1. Same setup as SandyBottom. I hope to travel loosely with her and enjoy the course instead of pushing hard.
But if something happens to SandyBottom prior to the start I will likely get bored and come up with a way to push harder.
Posted 4 years ago # -
MicroTom
Key MasterAnd now there are seven! welcome aboard JoeWildlife!
Posted 4 years ago # -
JoeWildlife
MemberThanks Tom! "Slow and steady" finishes the race wherever I'm gonna finish in the standings! I've read Sharkchow's book a couple times but still am of the opinion that the stars really lined up to provide such a close 1-2-3 finish that year.
Hopefully interest will continue to build. I think my entry has interested CWolfe to throw his hat in the ring. Rumors that BustedRudder is considering it too? hey, if one or both enter just to try to beat me, I'm fine with that!
And thanks to FalconSails for helping me with my sail rig, I consider Falcon Sails as an unofficial sponsor of my Challenge!
Joe
Posted 4 years ago # -
It is nice to hear that the interest is picking up. Our sport is becoming much more spectator friendly and there is much more interest in following the adventures of others and friends by way of the tracker, waterTribe and FB event sites and personal sites.I just heard that the event page for the Alaska race got over 9 million hits, not sure if that was overall or one day the site went down but it does go to show the interest that is possible. I have been asked by many “followers” what my next adventure race will be because they want to follow me again and I am happy to say Ultimate Florida Challenge. I have found a much friendlier FB site that allows followers to post to my main page and will be publishing that soon. Updates should be much easier and more often than “the inside passage” so should be even better for the spectators. I guess what I am saying is that the UF may be big this coming year…are you sure you are going to be ok missing it? It is a huge commitment and challenge but it is not to late but you do need to start training now!. Personally I do not think that I have time to finish it but I plan to do what I can given the holiday time that I will have available and look forward to seeing everyone on the beach. Welcome Joe!
Posted 4 years ago # -
Welcome Triman! TI?
Posted 4 years ago # -
Pelican used a TI but broke a portage cart if I remember correctly. Doing the upper St Mary's could be a nightmare in a hobie if during extreme low water and you need to paddle. JarHead has a great video of that section during really low water. I will try and find it again. But if level is reasonable and pedal drive used it should be very doable.
CWolfe is in and it just keeps getting more and more interesting! Kruger I'm guessing?
Posted 4 years ago # -
Cwolfe
MemberNo, No Kruger for this trip. I am undecided about the boat. My Tiderace Pace is fast , seaworthy and comfortable but it is very trim sensitive and not a great hauler of gear. I noticed in my last EC that just having all my paddling clothes wet and one additional wet towel, my speed plummeted. I am considering a Taran which is not a fast as the Tiderace in the calm and flat but has a reputation of being very good in the following seas and can swallow up gear. Decisions Decisions. Either way I will be packing a Falcon Sail.
More data needed to process regarding necessary weight. I am curious about how much extra gear/provisions are carried for the UF compared to the EC. Cart will have to be sturdier with better wheels. Will need to bring walking shoes for the portage. A little bit more gear association with bipedal locomotion and hauling boat. Food between resupplies will probably be a wash but am curious what the veterns of both have to say regarding the differnce in gear weight on an UFC vs EC.
Do you pack water for the river sections or can we use a water filter once we are above the tidal sections? So much to read and think about. Rereading Whale's blog and of course Without a Paddle. Interesting how Bill's focus was on a very intense training program right up to the start. I am starting to chart my path and suspect I will be more about going into it wiht good general conditioning but not elite and more focused on technique, self rescue and logistics. Yesterday was a day with no distance paddling but I rolled about twenty five times with GP and Wing and did some reentry and rolls without PF. A few reentries etc. Bills blog has good support about training at night. I will certainly want to also do night rolling and reenty. Handling unpredicted emergencies like simulated dislocated shoulder exits and renties or swims etc etc. His blog post about fears is insightful. I am excited about the opportunity but I need to put my energy and excitement into the prepartation and planning more so than the event and outcome. To quote or paraphrase J Lennon, "Life is what happens when you are making other plans"
Cwolfe
Posted 4 years ago # -
MicroTom
Key MasterCwolfe, Welcome aboard!
As far as boats go I subscribe to "Slow is smooth, smooth is fast". In this case slow means a stable, rugged, high volume Kruger. Smooth is efficient sailing with FEKS rig. Fast is consistently making headyway.
I am committed. Kruger & FEKS All The Way! But the only thing that really matters is finishing so pick your preferred tools and get at it!
Now who is our next contestant???????
Posted 4 years ago # -
JoeWildlife
MemberCWolfe, I shudder at the thought of spending 20 long days in a kayak! Are you nuts?
Have you forgot everything you knew about Verlen Kruger!? I threaten to take a Clipper Sea 1 and you call ME a troublemaker!? You completely went over to the double-bladed dark side. You must have pissed out all that Kruger Kool-Aid a long time ago! :)
Glad to see you are in brother, it will be an adventure.
Joe
Posted 4 years ago # -
Uf- The numbers. CHECK ME PLEASE!
Total attempts, 32 each.
Total finishies- 20 each
Total Racers that have completed challenge- 17 each
Racers that have completed 2 UF events- 3 each
Racers in no order-And number of finishes-
Jarhead-1
Leatherlungs-1
SOS-1
Whale-1
MosquitoMagnet-1
Sharkchow-1 (the record holder at 19 days, 6 hrs 48 mins.)
ManitouCruiser-2
Wizard-2
Pelican-1
Drooobrd-1
SandyBottom-2
WhiteCaps-1
CrazyRussian-1
RunningMouth-1
SnoreBringGator-1
RiverSlayer-1
An elite and very small group wouldn't you say!
Posted 4 years ago # -
Cwolfe
MemberAfter Rereading Whale's account, I am definitely having second thoughts about trying it in a thinner skinned kayak. I am looking at my trusty Sea Wind with awe and respect and thinking that may be the way to go. It is not the thought of the time in the seat as I find my kayak to be comfortable. But rather the description of the Uppeer St. Mary's river with it's drag over and drags and seemingly endless in and out of the boat. The large open water crossings of Biscayne and below Cedar Key do favor the better self rescue of the kayak but the sea worthinesss of the Sea Wind is so reassuring. All my training over the past two years has been double blade focused. I have a kayak erg to use up here when temps drop into the negatives and Superior is hard paddling. How many of JR's above list were in true kayaks (excluding DreamCatchers)? Mosquito Magnet and SharkChow are two but most were not. I am not sure about some..... Maybe JR will have the data.
Cwolfe
Posted 4 years ago # -
SandyBottom
MemberCwolfe, I am an avid sea kayaker, almost all my training and trips are in a sea kayak, so much fun, but I wouldn't consider anything but my Kruger for UFC. It has nothing to do with my need to carry a bike. The EC with 5-6 days of 300 miles wet in salt and sand is the most my skin will take, no matter how much body maintenance I do. At the end of my 2006 UFC, not a chafe or rash was had, stayed relatively dry the whole way. Go for comfort, it's a long way.
DawnPosted 4 years ago # -
JoeWildlife
MemberCWolfe, you could always do a boat switch and use the Kruger on the rivers.
If you use a Kruger the whole time and beat me then I'll have no excuse for getting whupped by an old man :)
Do we need to start a "talking smack" thread to fuel a testosterone-driven trend to get more folks signed up?
Patrick Forrester will sell you an excellent second boat rigging kit w/ or w/out an expedition-rig kit so you can instantly switch your Falcon sail between boats. If you haven't done so, take your mast and boom apart to make sure they are not siezed up. Mine were built with very close tolerances and fused together, and it took concerted effort to get them apart. Now they are all polished up and come apart nicely! The kit FalconSails puts together is amazing--every item imaginable you need is included. I think I'll rig my Sea Wind today so I can use it all summer. As soon as I get the Clipper I'll rig it and get some testing done so I can decide which one I'll use in the UF.
I decided to put together a cart like LeatherLung's made and demonstrated in his videos. Plans from Palmetto Kayak Fishing's blog. I'm modifying it to use a solid 5/8" aluminum axle and sealed bearings in the pneumatic poly wheels from Northern Tool. Should be bulletproof and the wheels will be held in place with lynch pins instead of axle nuts.
I've several more purchases to make including a new pfd, charts, VHF, etc. I was considering a battery powered bilge pump but with the electronic issues I had in the EC, I'm thinking simpler is better. I will make a battery pack for the GPS but that will be about it. I just have no confidence that a solar panel, battery box, switches and wiring will survive past Key Largo. My sealed LED bow lights and battery box failed in the Everglades.
Joe
Posted 4 years ago # -
Cwolfe
MemberThanks Joe, Giving Patrick a call today regarding extra rigging for Falcon. He is always so helpful.
Still thinking about boats but I am leaning toward the Krug....... Problem is all my training is on a FSK or a Surfski. So much fun to ride Lake Superiour waves on fast skinny boats and I am digging all the rolling ane recovery stuff. I am working on Deb to go down to Baja in Novermbe for for BCU training, eating good mexican food and training on tequila drinking.
I will look at the Cart. BustedRudder is a artisian with laminates and has a Renaissance mind when it comes to boat mods so he has been a great resource.
It is hot today here....82, So I am heading off for a paddle on the big lake..... Then back into the coal mine for two more shfts.
I am tingling with excitement and trepidation re the UFC. What have I done? What have I done?
Cwolfe
I somewhat blame Chief..... I mean he lowered the entry fee like a late night knife salesman..... who can pass up on a discount?
Posted 4 years ago # -
JoeWildlife
MemberI've been inside the Sea Wind today beefing up the front deck. I suspect #50 is a custom build, lighter than other Sea Winds by a few pounds and it appears the missing Kevlar is in the deck.
Patrick is unavailable this weekend but I'm gonna talk to him Monday about a couple things.
Hot in Duluth! Hell it is mid-90's here with mid-90's humidity. The resin is still cooking off well though.
Joe
Posted 4 years ago # -
Bermudaboy
MemberEnvious reading... I'm not going to be able to attempt a UF anytime soon, unless my company goes under or I win the lottery, the former more likely than the latter, but do enjoy thinking about it and dreaming about what crafts and how I will attempt some day... A few questions to those that have:
1) What is the portage route like, are you following a forest trail, or are you pulling boat on side of a road, flat ground, etc? Guessing this is 2-3 day minimum, pulling has gotta be exhausting. How many days have finishers typically taken to finish this portage.
2) At end of each stage, is your spouse, or soon to divorce you spouse, allowed to deliver you supplies & (do conjugal visits count for any derby points?)
3) I understand you can change craft at Fort Clinch (or is that St George?), but have to carry the same equipment, do you have to stay in that same craft til the Finish or can you go back to your original craft once out of the Suwannee. (or yet a different one?)
4) For the above stage, was their any sailable portions or is it just 100% manual propulsion? is your freshwater supply from filtered water, or are there frequent places to resupply for water...
5) My biggest irrational phobia is gators... (although I've seen some eastern rattlers as big as gators crossing alans creek) how scary is it at night for the St. Mary-Suwannee stage? Any stories or tales of big ones, of being tailed, agression,frequency of seeing, etc, etc.
6) I'd really loved to study finishers' gpx file of tracks or routes... Anyone mind sharing that with me? Particularly interested in the Atlantic side, how much off the coast and how much done in the IC.
Thanks
Posted 4 years ago # -
OysterCult
MemberI'd sign up today if there was no qualifier requirement. Don't see why this is necessary, if you don't make the ECC as the1st leg or following ones then you DNF. Won't have my boat ready for BBC as last chance to qualify for UF2016 and 2018 is too far off that anything can happen before then. Even if I could get the boat ready for BBC, being in the PNW is too much travel time for BCC then UF. Guess I'll redirect my sights to R2AK next year if they hold it...
-OC
Posted 4 years ago # -
MicroTom
Key MasterThink positive thoughts. Not what you cannot do but instead what you can.
The EC is the premier WT event. You have an opportunity to spend a week going down the coast. Some of the most experienced paddlers, sailors & adventure racers consider it one of their most rewarding accomplishments and treasure the friendships they have made along the way. You can do that!
Posted 4 years ago # -
Jarhead
MemberBermudaboy
1. The portage is a very flat two-lane paved country road. The sides are mostly ditches and low ground, so obvious places to camp are surprisingly few. I would plan on two days, though some have done it straight through (a full day/night at 2 mph). Pulling or pushing a fully loaded two-person canoe is not hard. Our biggest problem was starting in rain with feet having been wet for days anyway. We had blisters in just a few miles. It was no fun at all.
2. Your spouse or anyone can deliver supplies at stage points. I believe Chief or PaddleDancer have to witness the conjugal visits for the one point you can earn.
3. As I understand it, all required equipment but the paddling vessel and paddles must be carried from the start of the UFC, including any pull cart. You can have the paddling vessel and paddles delivered, but no new equipment. Since Ft Clinch is a stage point, I presume you can have supplies delivered (we did not) but no equipment like a cart. You can switch back to your original boat at Cedar Key, but must carry the cart the whole way, just as the nonswitchers cannot abandon their cart or bike when not needed.
4. There are practically no sailable parts of the rivers. The St Mary's is mostly narrow and you're going upstream. The Suwannee gets wide enough to sail, but the winds are very flukey. You can sail from the mouth of the Suwannee to Cedar Key (15 or so miles?).
5. Florida and Georgia are crawling with gators, but I have not seen one in high or low water on the St Mary's. The Suwannee has gators, but not as many as you might think. If the rivers might be scarey to you at night, I would say forget the UFC. In fact, skip the EC as well--stick with the ultra marathon.
6. Have not checked in a while, but the tracker used to have our SPOT soundings. I believe only Wizard and Crazy Russian have gone outside on the E coast. No reason for paddlers to go out. The main problem for sailors would be getting back in if the weather turned foul. The E coast inlets can be very dangerous because of swells in strong winds. Large powerboats have been capsized in all of those inlets.
Hope this helps.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Bermudaboy
MemberJH: Thank you for very detailed information, . A few questions and comments... Portage sounds tough but country road part is at least a litte comforting. One point- maybe just spend my time drinking beer instead... Urgh on all the manual propulsion, maybe by time I actually challenge, FusionEng will have devised something pocketsize. Appears all the historical tracks have been wiped clean from server other than most recent event, hope someone wont mind sharing some gps files! Gators, have been plaquing my dreams since growing up on Alan's creek (Clearwater) and constantly worrying about losing my dogs to em. (much worse than the chemistry test I hadn't studied for ones) but are not something that will stop me from participating, (may permanently
stop me out on the course though) Just don't want to be jinxed/ingested by that last sentence. Thanks again, and hoping for tracks and more input, stories bout gators and other adventureS!. ThanksPosted 4 years ago # -
http://www.watertribe.com/Events/ChallengeMapper.aspx?RaceID=EC2011
See the drop down to pick other races as well. Info still there, just have to search for it. Hope this helps.
Just a thought for the people in charge of the FB watertribe site. May want to think about starting a event page for the EC/UF 2016 which would be open to public and not just watertribe members. That way you will get a lot more publicity and folks following the race and racers. Thoughts anyone?
Posted 4 years ago #
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