ORLANDO, Fla. - Three Florida-based boat manufacturers will battle the elements in a charitable "gentleman's race" along the Florida coastline during the third annual Florida Skiff Challenge April 6-8. Proceeds will benefit the Coastal Conservation Association's clean water efforts in Florida.

The challenge: Run a small open skiff boat from Gulf Breeze, Fla., down the western coast of the state, through Florida Bay and back north up the east coast to The Lodge at Cabin Bluff, Woodbine, Ga. – a total distance of about 1,350 grueling miles. The boats must be open fishing skiffs no longer than 18 feet carrying a maximum of 22 gallons of fuel and powered by an outboard motor of 70 horsepower or less.

Competitors may use electronic navigational aids, including radar and night vision devices, and are allowed unlimited stops for fuel, food and rest. However, if a boat is removed from the water, that crew is disqualified.

Three teams are participating in this year's challenge. Heath Daughtry and Chase Daniel from Yellowfin Yachts in Sarasota will compete in a 17 Yellowfin Skiff after successfully completing the 2016 event. From Hell's Bay Boatworks in Titusville is Chris and J.C. Peterson, who will compete in a Biscayne model. Tom Biller of Sarasota-based Panga Marine will compete in their 18 Skiff with Ryan Till.

Though there is no prize for winning beyond bragging rights, each team is soliciting sponsors and donations to be presented to the Coastal Conservation Association during the organization's annual banquet fundraiser in Orlando on Oct. 5.

"This is a very unique event," said organizer Heath Daughtry of Yellowfin Yachts. "We're not competing against each other, but rather against the elements—the seas, the weather—to see who can even finish the entire course. But this is really a competition to see who can raise the most money for CCA. We're hoping to raise $10 per mile to go directly toward CCA's habitat restoration programs. Florida's waters and our gamefish are the real winners here."

Donations can be made online before, during and after the event at swsports.mn/e7wFpr.

For more information and to track each team's progress, visit www.saltwatersportsman.com/florida-skiff-challenge. Live updates will also be available on both the Florida Skiff Challenge and Salt Water Sportsman Facebook pages April 6-8.

Sponsors
The Florida Skiff Challenge is organized by Hell's Bay Boatworks and Yellowfin Yachts, supported by Panga Marine and Bonnier Corporation, and sponsored by AtlasTrax, YETI, Cabin Bluff, Tito's Handmade Vodka, the Coastal Conservation Association of Florida, Justin Boots and Papa's Pilar.


For more information and interviews, please contact:
Heath Daughtry
Yellowfin Yachts
941-753-7828
yfyachts@me.com

Brian Gorski
Coastal Conservation Association
407-852-7002
bgorski@ccaflorida.org Chris Peterson
Hell's Bay Boatworks
321-383-8223
chris@hellsbayboatworks.com