True Offshore

[smokeybandit]

The Volvo Ocean race boats are tracked around the world.

These people as well as the original Offshore guys didn't do it for the fans it was the test and competition.

As far as the safety thing goes. Fend for your self like in the old days. Competitors used to have to carry first aid kits, stay current with a CPR certificate and even provide your own life raft and locating beacons. It was a true test of man and machine. It didn't matter how fast you could go. It matter more how well you could handle the seas including not destroying yourself and your boat.

Even now the fastest boats can NOT compare with the average speeds the older boats carried over great distances. The line has been blurred between shoot-out boats and offshore boats.

Jim,

If you broke down in the ocean, you prayed that your radio worked. Most times it didn't because it was so beat to hell from the pounding. We blew both engines at Sand Key and we were afraid of drifting to Cuba before anyone came and gave us a tow.

In my years of racing I never met a racer that did it for the fans. If you try to hard to please whatever fans there are, you will lose them.

Robert

 

[MikeyFIN]

We have to carry safety packs in U.I.M racing ( flares, beacons etc) even today thenagain U.I.M races are true offshore I´d say but far from comparing to offshore sailing which I´ve done locally a few times.

The safety issue is a too hyped up thing IMO.
Let the racers sign a waiver that gives the organizers freedom of responsibility if it´s not already done ?

Regarding offshore Sailing in the Ocean...that´s a true test of Man.
I have former competitors in Sailing who has done VOR and have met people and read their articles plus read what it takes to circumnavigate the globe (some even alone) and competing at the same time... unhuman but I would step up the plate given the chance.

About the visibility in offshore racing.
There´s in U.I.M. P1 and Class1 Heli´s in the air with Cams so I see it as no-other problem than monetary or liability issues with the organizers not to provide true offshore.
What I would suggest that if possible ask the teams Heli´s or others to carry broadcasting cams, have a broadcasting center with several cameras to choose from with one commentator.
Like said Catalina Ski races are held like that and many other sports also.
Come to think of it Tour de France and Giro D´Italia etc being prime examples.

 

[MikeyFIN]

That's exactly what they do at the Catalina Ski race. There's a big screen TV and a beer tent.

Now you gave me ONE GOOD reason to check the west coast, the other being the Seattles 6mR classic fleet.
Always "adored" the tow boats in CSR as there´s real old school raceboats doing it.

It's funny... I'd call the Rum Run a true offshore race (from Long Beach to the northern tip of Catalina... 30 miles, down the lee side of Catalina... guessing 5 - 10 miles and back to Long Beach for another 30 mile leg). And they can't even get some of the west coast teams to come out and use it as a test and tune session (I'm guessitmating no more than 10 boats in the race).

So there´s a lack of West coast offshore racers not wanting to attend that. Why??

 

[MikeyFIN]

Now let´s get back on track..

Here´s a pic of the Royal Race 1988 of Roslagloppet where the Tennis Ace or King Björn Borg as the Swedish press stated against HRH of Sweden ..who beat Borg, Royally I might add with a Cigarette 38 TG.

But the True hero was In my Eyes the Offshore "King" who won overall with a 3 liter Mono. Mikael Frodé
And here´s the reason.

Pics originally posted at www.boatsite.se THE no1 Swedish Offshore racers site.

 

[Dude! Sweet!]

You know its funny, Mobile Jim and Burt (Reynolds) touched on this... And I was talking to my buddy yesterday. There needs to be an element of equipment conservation in offshore, otherwise you might as well run a drag boat or a hydro.

 

[MikeyFIN]

You know its funny, Mobile Jim and Burt (Reynolds) touched on this... And I was talking to my buddy yesterday. There needs to be an element of equipment conservation in offshore, otherwise you might as well run a drag boat or a hydro.

hmmm howabout a Fast Jet Boat ?:26:

 

[Dude! Sweet!]

Mikey, we're running the ski race next year...

 

[Dude! Sweet!]

V drive baby... Is there any such thing as a fast jet boat?! :sifone:

 

[MikeyFIN]

Mikey, we're running the ski race next year...

With The Pantera ???
PM me the Details ASAP

 

[MikeyFIN]

V drive baby... Is there any such thing as a fast jet boat?! :sifone:

There is believe me...

 

[Dude! Sweet!]

Mikey, you want to ski!?

I think we're crewed up on the 28, but I've also got a 24 Pantera that isn't doing anything...

 

[MikeyFIN]

Mikey, you want to ski!?

I think we're crewed up on the 28, but I've also got a 24 Pantera that isn't doing anything...

As a Matter of fact my driver is a former competing waterskier also :sifone:

 

[Ratickle]

It's funny... I'd call the Rum Run a true offshore race (from Long Beach to the northern tip of Catalina... 30 miles, down the lee side of Catalina... guessing 5 - 10 miles and back to Long Beach for another 30 mile leg). And they can't even get some of the west coast teams to come out and use it as a test and tune session (I'm guessitmating no more than 10 boats in the race).

You need a couple big names to commit, the rest will folow.

 

[Ratickle]

As a Matter of fact my driver is a former competing waterskier also :sifone:

I'm rooting for you already.........:26: :03: :26:

 

[Dude! Sweet!]

In other words I should install a ski pole on the 24 too huh? :sifone:

 

[MikeyFIN]

In other words I should install a ski pole on the 24 too huh? :sifone:

Gotta ask him... he´s a true waternut... like me but instead of me that has sailed competitively, played underwater rugby and otherwise spent too much time around the pool he has skied downhill, run snowboard, speedskied, and whatever on the world series plus wake and windsurfed in his youth and waterskied/wakeboarded too...

 

[Dude! Sweet!]

Underwater rugby? I gotta hear more about this... Every rugby ball I've owned floated!

 

[Dude! Sweet!]

Now let´s get back on track..

Here´s a pic of the Royal Race 1988 of Roslagloppet where the Tennis Ace or King Björn Borg as the Swedish press stated against HRH of Sweden ..who beat Borg, Royally I might add with a Cigarette 38 TG.

But the True hero was In my Eyes the Offshore "King" who won overall with a 3 liter Mono. Mikael Frodé
And here´s the reason.

Pics originally posted at www.boatsite.se THE no1 Swedish Offshore racers site.

I love the fact that TravelNow.com is on the intro page! I'll assume that Tomas Wallin has something to do with that website...

 

[MikeyFIN]

Yes he has

 

[Sean Stinson]

The old race course as stated above could be put back into play with live feeds from choppers to a beer tent or an open bar tent or whatever throw some food into the mix as well as soom entertainment......Now you have an event!!!!! What do I know I am just a stupid kid!!!!!