The build-up to the Everglades Challenge, the boat line up, start and rough weather passage across Tampa Bay. This was the race where there were 12 Coast Guard rescues in crossing Tampa Bay and the race was canceled.
@Felipe It's actually not that expensive when one considers the costs that the organizers have to fork over...Coast Guard, Checkpoints, Permits, Insurance, Shirts, Prizes.... The entrance fee is the cheap part. Equipment, transportation, logistics, lodging....are far more.
Thanks for your comment. March in Florida is probably the best time of year. Summers can be much more dangerous with huge thunderstorms and lots of fall and winter gales. As far as "costing taxpayers so much money", either no one uses the Coast Guard or you have to be prepared. When I was recused in Pamlico Sound in North Caroline, the helmsman, the first mate and when we got back to the station, the communication officer all thanked me for being so well prepared and knowing my exact location. They said many people are not and they spend hours and hours trying to find the distressed boat. So from what the Cost Guard told me, I saves hours of time for them.
