On this site I’m going to explain to you my wife and my efforts to compete in the 2012 Everglades Challenge (EC 2012), a 300 mile adventure along the Gulf Coast of Florida.
My boat, Sea Dart, is a 17.5 ft Norseboat, built in Nova Scotia. It has two rowing stations in addition to being a gaff-rigged sloop. (See the pictures if that doesn’t make sense.) She is quite a capable vessel; two Royal Marines took a sister ship through 1400 miles of the Northwest Passage!
In order to compete in the EC, one must be able to sail or row about 300 miles for 3-7 days while eating, sleeping, navigating, repairing, and a number of other verbs while enduring conditions that can vary from freezing rain to blistering sun. That’s not to mention the alligators, snakes and mosquitoes of the Everglades!
On this site I will try to catalog at least some of our gear, navigational choices, strategy and preparation for the challenge. Not much time left, so let’s get started!
I notice you’re announcing this on Valentine’s Day….it sounds like a labor of love, and proof of love rolled into one. Can I file this under “You guys are nuts!”
Good luck!
Phil, I wish you all the best with the 2012 Everglades Challenge. We will all be following your progress with great interest and enthusiasm!
Best of luck Phil – I wish I still had a Norseboat to go adventuring in…
My uncle and aunt are so cool!!!
You guys will have a lot to say to each other for the entire journey in a small sailboat. Best wishes to both with fun and have a safe trip.
We will be traveling down to Key Largo once again . . . vicariously, as we follow your progress March 3rd after your launch from the beach at Fort DeSoto. Quit blogging and get back to work . . . you only have 16 days left! :>)
It will be great to meet you Grant!
You’ve obviously got your mind on other things skipper! Vicariously means that you are acting, performing, or . . . in this case sailing as my surrogate. Regretably, I will be comfortably escounced in front of my students at the University while you and your partner ply the waters of the Gulf as you proceed to your destination at Key Largo. However, I’ll be following your progress as if I were on board and manning the tiller myself. I may return to the EC in 2013, or more for certain in 2014 since I’ll be officially retired by then. My suggestion is that we meet f2f later this summer when Mishigama and I meet in Blind River, ON for a sail through the North Channel on Lake Huron. Doesn’t warrant discussion now . . . we’ll talk about that later upon your return from Florida. Fair winds my friend.
I’m so jealous! I know it will be great fun, but, how will you be able to stay away from your beautiful new backyard paradise all that time? I look forward to the updates. Good luck!