Anyone for Cuba 2013?

24 June 2012 Bruce Kessler

Do you have a powerboat with a 600 mi. range at 8 knots? I realize that OCC is mostly made up of sailors, but also knowing there are quite a few who have converted to power, I thought some of you might be interested in a historic event scheduled for April-May of 2013:  a powerboat rally to Cuba.

PassageMaker Magazine and FUBAR Odyssey, in association with the Del Ray Youth Foundation, a charity dedicated to the support of junior sailing activities, have applied to the U.S. State Department for permission, and the event is enthusiastically supported by the motor-boating industry: West Marine, Northern Lights, Naiad, American Bowthruster and others.

It’s safe to say there will be no decision forthcoming from Washington D.C. prior to the election this November, but if you would like to be included on the information update list, go to www.fubarodyssey.com and sign in, and you will receive all the latest information as soon as it is released.

All rally proceeds will be donated to the Hemingway International Yacht Club of Cuba Junior Sailing Program.  The Hemingway Yacht Club is located just outside of Havana.

As well as being a retired racing driver and successful film director, Bruce Kessler is a successful powerboat circumnavigator!

Bruce with his wife Joan are experienced passagemakers. For many years, he ran a large sportfisherman on the West Coast, and he and Joan later attained almost celebrity status after they built Zopilote, the 70-foot Delta trawler in which they circumnavigated. An unusual feat in a powerbaot!

Sadly Zopilote was lost in 1994, after hitting a submerged rock pinnacle in Alaska. However, the Kesslers built a new vessel, the stunning 62 foot trawler Spirit of Zopilote. Follow them at http://www.northernmarine.com/documents/PM-Spirit_of_Zopilote.pdf

Bruce Kessler: Chairman, FUBAR Odyssey-PassageMaker Magazine Cuba Project