CaptnChaos :
Jim my hat is off to you my friend, this race is one of the most difficult things I have ever seen anyone attempt. I have huge respect for all the guys. I have been trying to prepare for this race for 4 years now but have never been able to get my physical skills up to par (it's on my bucket list). For this reason I continue to be inspired and have been exploiting my engineering skills to be able to one day complete the race on my own terms (within my own abilities). This race is the reason I developed my sail systems (to exploit the wind as much as possible for this race). The new 300 sq ft soft wing sail system I am designing for my TI (my current system is 260 sq ft), is specifically for this race (the new system is still in the design and testing stage). This race is also the inspiration for me trying to develop a solar/electric/fuelcell clean propulsion system (since gas motors are not allowed) where I can provide 60 hrs of continous clean power to propel my TI at 4.5mph (been working on that one a couple yrs now, I will solve it eventually, (300
[email protected] mph = 60 hrs). I'm hoping everything to come together in time for next years race. Even if I never complete the race I'm having the time of my life practicing and getting prepared (OK-- and figuring how to cheat my way through it).
I am inspired by guys like yourself and Dogslife (Paul), and the other Hobie Adventure sailers (I'm a huge fan). I'm also inspired by guys like SewSew (Randy Smyth)with his incredible Scizzor, and Showme (Scott Schulte) with his experimental electric (class 6) entry (thinking outside the box).
My hat is off to you guys.
Bob