While it may be premature to offer solutions while Tribers are still out on the water, I wanted to share my idea before it vaporized entirely from my aging brain. Provided that the event continues in future years (and I hope and pray that it does), here is a thought based on my own experiences and observations...
This year I chose to bow out of the event in January because while I finished building my boat in early January, I did not have sufficient time to test it and become confident using it in a wide variety of conditions. I made this choice even though I have thousands of miles of open water (and cold water) sailing experience, including Swiftsure in over 40 knots and the Van Isle race, and single handing deliveries in gnarly conditions of 30+ knots and 6-10' waves. I spent years on the US Canoe and Kayak team in the 80's and 90's, and can roll a kayak upright without a paddle. I am also pretty physically fit and very strong. Now that I live so much closer, and spent so much time and money building the craft, I deperately wanted to do the event. I will admit that it was a difficult choice. Not everyone would make the same choice, but I believe it was the right choice, and the safe choice. Would my ama have broken off in the TB chop? Doubtful, but next year I will know that it won't because it will be fully tested by then.
In 2007 (? or 06?) I attempted the EC in a Raptor proa, a boat I puchased but had never sailed before. I withdrew at CP#1 because the rudder pedals were so flimsy I could not control the boat in a following sea and 15-20 knots, and bent them all to hell, even though I was the 3rd boat to arrive. Wasted a large amount of $, vacation and time, but still immensely enjoyed helping Joe and Ed, the race crew that year with checkpoints, posting videos, and the finish. And getting to know other tribers!
So not only has untested equipment negatively impacted me, would it not appear the lack of testing and confidence using the primary vessel in extreme conditions could be an issue with this year's situation and other tribers rescues or dropping out in the past? I love the spirit of small boat innovation and building of the Tribe, but testing that innovation thoroughly is critical! I know from blog posts and walking the beach that many tribers finish building a boat shortly before the event, maybe test it once or twice, and they're off! I believe this has been true for kayaks as well as class IV and V boats, has it not? Or someone purchases a kayak or vessel shortly before the event, then uses it for the event.
I would propose that perhaps a filter (written into the rules)and or inspection question should be that:
"any boat entered in the event has been completed by (if home built) or in posession of (if purchased) that entrant a minimum of 6 months prior to the event, and has been taken out a minimum of a dozen times including conditions with winds over 20 knots and seas over 3 feet. If a sailboat, reefing has been practiced under pressure in those high winds when a reef really needed to be put in, and if a kayak, that it has been paddled in all directions related to those waves and wind, including sideways to it for at least an hour."
While implementing this rule might not have eliminated the crisis on TB this year, I would wager it would be a piece of the puzzle that would lower the risk of inexperienced people and untested equipement putting themselves and the event as a whole at risk.
Respectfully,
Archangel
