Become a part of our team!
The Campaign
Mounting a Tybee 500 campaign is a complicated affair, and requires more than simply having two people that some may not consider completely sane and a boat. In addition to a well fitted out boat with appropriate equipment and spares, a Tybee 500 team must have a ground support crew with a designated team manager. In addition to being the point of contact for the race committee, the ground crew will need to shuttle the team vehicle and trailer from stop to stop, and be prepared to retrieve or assist the sailors should that become necessary. Once the team makes the finish line at any stage the ground crew needs to assess the boat and perform necessary adjustments and repairs so that the sailors can rejuvenate and prepare for the next leg. One lucky and stout ground crew member will get to act as the “pusher” – the member responsible for giving the boat a shove off the beach and into the surf as the sailors themselves push and then attempt to board the boat and get it sailing.
So, there’s the sailors, there’s the crew, there’s the team vehicle and trailer, boat, spares and repairs, hotel rooms, meals, tolls, gas, entry fees, booze, and more!
Efforts for the Tybee range from the professional and fully sponsored efforts such as Team Tommy Bahama and Team Tybee to the self funded shoestring “Corinthian” teams. Most efforts fall in the middle, short of the masseuses of the pro teams but above the complete shoestring. These efforts keep the costs as low as possible as the team members pound the pavement for sponsors who would love to share in the experience. Sponsors range from the overall corporate to the fans of the teams who will pitch in spare money in small amounts to lend a hand.
A typical mid-range effort team will spend approximately $3,000 to $5,000 to handle the logistics of competing in the race. This does not include boat preparation, acquisition of spares, or purchasing of necessary equipment.
Projected Effort for Our Team
The breakdown for our team follows the projection of $3,000 to $5,000 for logistics. As for the boat, there are preparations that will add another $3,000 to $5,000. Our team boat is a veteran of this race, but to be ready it will require a full set of new sails, upgrades to the trampoline, addition of the new mid-pole snuffer, and replacement of things like the standing rigging and other parts that have been deemed at the end of their service life. This means our desired projected monetary needs will be approximately $6,000 to $10,000.
Who Can Help and How
Team Pirates of the Chesapeake is now looking for sponsors and well-wishers to help the effort succeed. Sponsors of all levels are welcomed, including volunteering for the support team and monetary assistance. Acknowledgement of support will be made visually on the boat itself, with higher levels of support gaining more prominence. In the event that a full or very high sponsorship is available, the team will consider renaming the effort to reflect the sponsor.
What do you get for helping out? You get to become a part of the Pirates of the Chesapeake Tybee 500 team and to participate in an adventure like few others. In addition, it’s the chance to help the world know who you are and that you support efforts and events like the Tybee 500.