2013 Transpac

[OSC007]

Dear all,

This is it! We will have a fleet racing to Hawaii next summer!

So far, we have 5 boats who are willing to participate and we (Open Sailing) will do our best to make these boats and their owners ready for the start. Out of these 5 boats, there are 2 protos and 3 production boats. I really hope we will have more boats joining us for the race and if you are interested, please contact me at jerome at opensailingusa dot com

Our Transpac will either be part of the Transpac from Los Angeles OR we will simply organize our own race.

Before the race (up to a month), Open Sailing will provide slips to the racers in Los Angeles for free. We also have a very inexpensive way to launch your boats and install your mast (about $100 all up). Until your trailer is shipped to Hawaii, we can also offer free storage (with our without the boat on the trailer). For those of you who have experienced racing from out of town, we want to help because it is not easy and very often expensive. We want to make sure you are taken care of once you get here.

If you are from out of town, we have boat towing specialists (one of them actually won a recent Star World Championship ;-) who can tow your boat (on trailer) for $1.30 per mile. You can always find cheaper, but since there are pros, everything is covered and you'll know it will be done correctly.

We are also going to work on the best shipping solution of your trailers to be shipped to Hawaii and have the boats and trailers shipped back. This year, I was charged $3500 which is definitely not that bad....but you can always sail back if you'd like ;-)

Open Sailing Hawaii is also going to be involved regarding hospitality and logistics after the finish. We will be most likely working with Waikiki Yacht Club and have our boats at their docks. For those of you who haven't been there, since means 50 feet away from the bar for your Mai-Tai after the finish!

Logistics in Hawaii is also going to be coordinated by Open Sailing Hawaii. Because it is an island, there's not much we can do about how much it cost to haul your boat out. However, we can probably dismasts all the boats at the YC for free, then motor to the boat yard to get the boats out. This is what I have done this year. It worked well. With a fleet of boat, we will work a fleet discount at the yard. These guys are pro but they also can set any price they want because they are the only hauling boat yard on the island :-(

So, since we have 5 boats (and honestly, pretty sure we will be another 3-4 boats soon), please contact us via the forum or my email to join us!!!

Cheers

Jerome

[OSC007]

The same post was up on Sailing Anarchy forum and the thread is growing. It seems that many have viewed the thread on this website but no comments so far.

For those who have read the post here and not on SA, I just wanted to let you know that we now have 5 boats confirmed.
This morning again, and 6th boat is interested in racing.
It is too early to say but at this rate, we might have 10 or more minis racing to Hawaii next summer.

We haven't heard back from the Transpac organization. If we don't, we will simply run our own Mini Transpac. Open Sailing will be ready to offer services and make sure we can all safely (and as fast as possible) race to Hawaii. Open Sailing is also established in Hawaii so we will be able to work with a YC (most likely Waikiki YC) for hospitality. For logistics, we will also help for dismasting each boats and have them shipped back to the mainland.

If you own a mini, contact Open Sailing. If you don't own one, you know that we build the Pogo2, still the reference in the Mini world. Chartering might also be an option...

Cheers

Jerome