2015 Everglades Challenge--Island ImagesThe Everglades Challenge began Mar 7 and lasted one day before the Coast Guard suggested to Chief that it should be shut down because of the weather conditions and rescues performed. Chief had little choice and the race was ended almost before it started. Here are a few images of Hobie Islands that I collected Friday and Saturday, Mar 6-7. Out of the dozens of pictures I took, I thought these were noteworthy. They are for your perusal.
The first is of my friend, Bryan Tindell and his boat. The most interesting thing here is his vertical rudder (2011 or later) and his vintage akas/crossbar.
One of Bryan's akas sheared at the connection during his personal EC.
Perhaps the most unique hakas were Dockwater and Amabouy's haka pods.
This boat has lots of mods. The lawn chair seat was the most unusual chair on all the Islands.
This is Chief's AI 2. It was quite new at the time of the EC.
My good friend, Royd, and his "lightly" loaded TI. Putting most of your gear in the front cockpit is certainly an advantage of using the TI for camping.
This is another friend, John. John is a first-timer down from Detroit. I think he may be demonstrating the disadvantage of a TI for camping--too much gear! Hey, he's having the time of his life. Nothing to complain about.
Note the righting lines attached to the Tandem handles, the 3rd drive, and reinforced pool noodles for moving the boat on shore. The righting lines may also be an aid to getting back in the boat.
Here is an Island with KB's spray skirts shortened to expedition-style skirts. Note also the bungeed and cam-strapped haka.
Cargo net on tramp for securing gear. Note, also, the 7' push pole fastened along the coaming on the port side of the boat.
Spine board hakas and pretty comfy rear chair
Butch from Hollywood, FL, has some serious additions to his tandem: here is his roll bar w/ rod holders and more. Very few people intend to fish during the EC.
Butch also has a reacher sail (Jim Czarnowski, below, has a reacher sail).
Nancy checking out Hobie chief engineer Jim Czarnowski's AI 2
When Jim launched at the start (7 am, Saturday morning), he only had his reacher sail deployed.
There were about 28 Islands in the 2015 EC. Here are some on the beach on Friday afternoon.
At the unofficial finish in Key Largo, an Island family dinner
Keith