'Sailors' to Steer Crazy Craft in Key West's Minimal Regatta May 26

Minimal construction and marginal seaworthiness should produce maximum hilarity Sunday, May 26, during the 22nd annual Schooner Wharf Minimal Regatta. Only boats made of thin plywood and duct tape are allowed in the offbeat Memorial Day Weekend regatta.

The float-or-founder fun is set to begin at noon Sunday off the Schooner Wharf Bar, 202 William St. in Key West's Historic Seaport.

Each six-member team is allowed a single sheet of 4-by-8-foot plywood, two 8-foot-long 2-by-4s, a roll of duct tape and a pound of fasteners to build their boat. Caulking and adhesives are forbidden, though epoxy paint is permitted.

While many entrants have only minimal construction skills, some are unexpectedly talented in design and fabrication - luckily for the "designated passenger" on each team, whose role is to keep the team's creation afloat while navigating the regatta course.

Participants in the wacky race can compete in either the kayak/canoe design or open design categories. Awards include prizes for the fastest boat, most creative design, best paint job and best costumed entry - as well as the dreaded "sinker" awards that await teams with the least seaworthy vessels.

Live music and a Memorial Day barbecue round out the afternoon's action, and the fun continues into the night.

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