Have stopped to put on warm clothes, eat and check the weather. Will then decide what to do tonight.
EC2012 Race Report fpr Ridgerunner and Greybeard
(11 posts) (7 voices)-
Posted 1 year ago #
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Doug and Michael appear to have pulled into the entrance to Lake Ingraham just north of Middle Cape. Their track has me a little concerned, like they might be having problems. Hoping all is well with them and sending many good vibes their way. All indications are it's getting nasty again...
Posted 1 year ago # -
I've camped there many times. There is a funky little sandbar there that you can't see on the map. Don't know what it means but it looks like they eased in just behind it. It's sheltered in there and there's enough high dry sand to land comfortably.
Posted 1 year ago # -
We pulled into the bay at Middle Cape to heave to and reef. We had been speeding down the coast at 7 and 8 mph, often planing, in 15-20 mph winds. All of a sudden the wind went E from NE and went to 40+/- (according to park headquarters) and knocked the boat down. The mizzen was sheeted in hard and the main was unsheeted. The main dug into a sand bottom and sheeted off as we climbed onto the centerboard to right her. By the time we got her bailed and the main spars and sail back on board, we were west of the IVW headed for Mexico. So we told the Coasties what was going on, rigged the midden midshipd, and sailed slowly throu breaking waves to the beach. The Tow Boat US folks wouldn't come out in the wind, but they will try in the early AM when the winds may lay down. We are driving to Tampa to get the truck. Christie and Noel, checkpoint captains at Flamingo are great.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Man! Sorry to hear of the knock down, Doug and Michael! I was just writing for Southwinds about how you were leading class four and heading for victory! Tough luck for sure. But you guys are veterans. You won't let this get you down for long. You have one of the best class four boats for this kind of racing, and we all know that you'll be back!!

Ron (Waterscribe)
Posted 1 year ago # -
Doug and Michael, your track worried me when I saw it. I'm glad you guys are all OK. It's too bad it had to end this way because you were running such a great race. Thanks for all your help this year, getting to spend some time with you guys was one of the highlights of my race.
Posted 1 year ago # -
RR & GB,
Sorry to hear about your luck. What a tough year for sailors all around! But getting out with health and without major loss is a good thing. There is always next year.
IsZataRock
Posted 1 year ago # -
Wow! Sorry to hear about your knockdown but very happy to hear both of you came out of it ok. Looking forward to seeing you guys next year.
Posted 1 year ago # -
RR & GB, Oh noooooooooo! That's so disappointing when you were having such a great run. On the other hand, the important thing is that ya'll are ok. That truely is all that matters. --Paul (DWSB)
Posted 1 year ago # -
So you were able to contact the Coasties on your handheld hailing on 16 way out there in the middle of nowhere? Did you do a Pan, Pan or Mayday hail? Just curious how the communcation thing worked.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I called something like this on Channel 16, "US Park Service, US Park Service, This is the sailing vessel Look Far. "
Coast Guard Key West answered. They have high towers and powerful radios. I had to repeat several things, and they later sent a CAP or Auxilliary plane (the guy was chatty and not as "professional sounding) to facilitate communication and to verify our position and situation.
I probably should have used "Securite". In fact, I never used "Mayday" or any other signal. I just said that we had suffered a dismasting and knockdown and needed a tow from Tow Boat US (I am a member). If Coast Guard rescues you, they will not rescue or tow your vessel. I told them several times that there was no emergency and no rescue required.
Posted 1 year ago #
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