Sound reasoning Sean. I 2nd your motion (as if that means anything). I'd love to do that trip as a small group cruise, pushing it a little maybe but still enjoying the trip. For me, just getting there would be a win. Mark M23 & M15 Sent from my U.S. Cellular® smartphone "nebwest2@aol.com via montgomery_boats" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> wrote:

Over the last few years I've done a 50 mile endurance run in my Paradox, two 100 mileor so coastal race runs in my M23,  the approx 200 mile Texas 200 in the Paradox, and three 100-200 mile cruises in the San Jaun and Gulf Islands.  I've looked at this trip quite a bit. "Scout", my Paradox, would definitely be a better choice for this trip and I am confident it is doable in her or my M17. But after giving it a couple days thought and talking with some sailors I really respect and who are experienced (everyone has opinions....lol) the question arose....what is the goal? If winning is the goal (and this race is setup so the race is OVER after the first vessel arrives and claims the $10,000 prize) then neither of these two boats seems to me to be the choice as neither can be very efficiently driven under human power. Yes I have yulohed and paddles the Paradox many miles but it's not easy and counter current would yield me immobile. Driving the Monty would be worse.  IF the goal was "just making the trip", the adventure, and not the race.....well then I think I would lean towards at least taking a motor, if not using it....slowing down and enjoying the trip, rather doing it in what promises to be probably two weeks or more of hard core go go go.  I think the expedition paddle boats that are skillfully navigated by iron men, will be able to penetrate north even against some of the currents by finding eddies and staying right against shore. This would be hard to compete with.  So since I've tackled a 50, 100, and 200 miles trips...probably the best plan of action for me would be a more reasonable jump in distance to 300....rather than 750.  Anyone following this small boat adventure sailing world knows the king of the longer one's is the Everglades Challenge, 300 miles. I think that's where I am going to concentrate my efforts. Maybe after doing that...and gaining that experience, if this 750 challenge is still going , I could try it then. One thing I have learned in all these events is this: you can read about it and recite book knowledge till you're blue in the face, but the real teacher is doing the prep work, pushing off the dock, getting out there and gutting it out, testing your boat, skills, mental state, and physical conditioning.  All 4 need to be ready to go...a break down in any one ends the trip. Much of the stuff I "thought" I knew prior to participating in the longer runs, turned out to be stuff that sounds good, but in real practice you realize that they guy that came up with this advice must have never tried it. LOL. With that in mind...I think I could learn a ton from the Watertribe group just as I did from the Texas 200 gang.   Of course I ALWAYS reserve the right to change my mind...but for today....I'm thinking I'm gonna watch this first 750 closely and see what shakes out, and continue to build my small boat voyaging skills incrementally. If I was closer geographically I might entertain jumping in on the Victoria leg, but driving 3000 miles to sail 40 is too crazy...even for me. Or .....or at least ....that's today's plan.   LOL  Sent from my Verizon 4G LTE Smartphone