1. What is the typical weather? Daily highs of about 80 degrees and lows of 60 degrees are typical for mid-April to mid-May. Winds are typically from the south west quadrant but can be from the south east quadrant when the "sea breeze" develops which is more typical in May. Wind speed is typically 8 to 15 MPH but can be less or more. We have sailed in winds to 30 kts and cancelled in winds above that, and occasionally the breeze can be so light that the motors have to be used. Rain and thunderstorms are rare in late April and early May but could happen, so we always take foul weather gear on board.
2. What is a typical day like? Our start each day is determined by the tides, but typically, after a weather and course briefing, we start around 9 AM and expect to reach our destination by 6 PM. The daily distance is 20 to 35 miles. Sundown is around 8 PM. Strong winds from a favorable direction make for shorter days. We use the motors as necessary if the wind is too light. Please see "Notice of Race" and "Sailing Instructions" on this web site for more specific details.
3. If we cannot take the time for the whole adventure, can we participate for part of it? Yes, you can paticipate in any section or sections you want.
4. Where do we stay at night? If you wish you can stay on your boat, but most will stay either at home if they live close by or with friends or at a hotel. Camping is an option at the Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club. You are on your own to make arrangements, but we will attempt to suggest places that you will find comfortable and convenient. Please refer to the Hotels and B&B page in this web site.
5. What, exactly, is "classic" for this event? We do not have a technical definition. Loosly, we are talking about boats that were designed in, or are based on designs of, the late 1800s and early 1900s, non-planing hulls, that were designed primarily for day sailing abd coastal cruising. If it looks like a classic then it probably is a classic for this event. We are not sticky about classic authenticity, but we look for participating boats of character similar to the following examples. Examples include the Herreshoff 12.5s, Marshall Catboats (18 and 22 foot), Com-Pac 16s and 19s, Cape Dory Typhoons, Ensigns, West Wight Potters, Montgomery 15s and 17s, Precision 15s, 17, and 21s, Flicka 20s, Bristol 24s, and others of similar spirit.
6. What do the "shore crews" do during the day? The entire "Low Country" region along the Georgia and South Carolina coasts is rich in history and beautiful and interesting places to visit. Walking tours in Savannah and Charleston are highly recommended for those interested in the history, architecture, and gardens. In Savannah, visit Bonaventure cemetery, made famous in "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil". Participants will be sailing right past this cemetery an hour or two after departing SYC toward Hilton Head. Touring Beaufort by horse-drawn wagon is a great way to see the 60 plus ante-bellum homes including those where "Big Chill", "The Great Santini", "Forrest Gump", and "The Prince of Tides" were filmed. Just outside Charleston are three fabulous plantations with incredible gardens (especially Middleton Plantation). Fort Sumter, at the entrance to Charleston Harbor, can be reached on a boat tour of the harbor. Charleston is renowned for its upscale antique shops and its fine restaurants. Visitors from outside the area will do well by teaming up with local shore crews who know the ins and outs of the area. Please refer to the "Shore Crew" page on this web site.
7. What do we do with the trailers? Either your shore crew or the participant moves the trailer to Beaufort YSC at the end of the first day's sail or the following day. On the final day of sailing your shore crew can bring your trailer to Charleston from Beaufort or the participant can retrieve the trailer from Beaufort the morning following the final day of sailing.  
8. What if I cannot bring a shore crew? We car-pool to each starting place and from each destination, and we try to help each other.
9. Are there trophies or other awards? Awards are made daily for the winning team. In Beaufort there will be recognition of the Most Authentic and Most "Bristol" boat (over a year old). In Charleston, awards will be made for "Most Helpful", and the fastes three overall based on cumulative points in the races.
10. What are the expenses? To help cover the cost of fuel for support boats, trophies, and the general overheads of the event there will be a nominal charge of $20 per day per participating boat. That would be $200 for the whole event per participating boat, or less for those participating in only part of the event. Hotels, meals, launch and take-out fees (if any), docking fees at clubs and marinas, are in addition to the event fee.
11. What are the most interesting places thatwill be visited? We will start at Fernandina Beach, the northern-most beach in Florida. This is near St. Marys where shore crews can depart for visits to wild Cumberland Island. The first stop is Jekyll Island, home of the Robber Barons compound dating to over 100 years ago. Following Jekyll, we sail to Darien, a shrimping town and home of the annual Blessing of the Fleet festival. The next two nights will be spent in rural Georgia, wild and undeveloped, where the beauty is in the landscapes and the authenticity of the locals. We than arrive in Savannah, the original town of georgia, laid out in the early 18th century by founder James Oglethorp, rich in history of the deep South. From Savannah we sail to Hilton Head, famous for golfing and up-scale retirement. Wthen sail across Port Royal Sound to Beaufort which was known in the 18th and 19th centuries as the "Newport of the South". When we leave Beaufort, following a lay day, we sail either to Dataw Marina on the north side of St. Helena Island, or Edisto Marina on the south side of Edisto Island (to be determined). There is one more stop, at Bohicket Marina, on the way to Charleston. Many feel that Charleston is the most charming city in the South, loaded with history, great restaurants, antique shops, and beautiful buildings, homes and gardens. 
12. What are the airports serving the area? For Fernandina, use Jacksonville or Savannah airports. For Savannah,  Hilton Head or Beaufort, use the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport which is about 20 minutes west of Savannah, 40 minutes west of Hilton Head, and 50 minutes west/southwest of Beaufort. There is taxi service to all three towns from the airport, although it is a good idea to make taxi arrangements ahead of arrival for Hilton Head or Beaufort. Taxi to Beaufort is about $80; the other towns are less. Airlines serving this airport include Delta, AirTran, and Continental. Charleston Airport would be the obvious choice for Charleston and is about 20 minutes from downtown, longer during rush hour.
13. What about driving times? As the crow flies these towns are all very close. However, because of the sounds and rivers, one has to drive inland between each town. Following are estimates of average sane driving times:

          Savannah - Fernindina                2 hours

Fernandina - St. Marys             45 minutes

Jacksonville - Fernandina           1 hour

Savannah - Hilton Head           45 minutes

          Savannah - Beaufort                 1 hour, 15 minutes

          Hilton Head - Beaufort             1 hour

          Beaufort - Edisto Marina          1 hour

          Edisto Marina - Charleston       1 hour, 15 minutes

         Edisto - Bohicket Marina           1 hour

         Bohicket Marina - Charleston  45 minutes

         Charleston - Beaufort                1 hour, 30 minutes

       Savannah - Charleston               2 hours