CHATHAM YACHT CLUB

Sailboat Racing on Pleasant Bay

Active sailboat racing by members of all ages is one of the great traditions of the Chatham Yacht Club. Head-to-head racing against adults provides an objective measure by which young sailors can judge their racing ability and progress. It also fosters cross- generational friendships and mentoring, which, incidentally, can go both ways. All members are urged to participate in racing.

Series Scoring and Other General Racing Information
All boats racing in the regular series must be registered with CYC, have a CYC member aboard, and be equipped according to applicable Coast Guard regulations.

Season and monthly series are scored by skipper. Boats must clearly display a sail number and register with the Race Committee for each race.

In Pleasant Bay, there are seven CYC racing buoys and a Town Marker which are used to set courses for races. The Charts and Flags (CF.doc) attachment to the 2010 Sailing Instructions (SI.doc) show their approximate locations. In addition, drop marks may be used. A dock crew of volunteers register the boats before each race. The races are patrolled by volunteers who keep track of the fleet and record protests.

Protest meetings following the races are considered to have an educational, as well as a judicial purpose, and are open to all members. Chatham Yacht Club follows the United States Sailing Association Rule Book and observes the 720 rule. Local rules supersede USSA rules and are printed in the CYC 2010 Sailing Instructions (SI.doc).

Races are postponed or canceled if the wind velocity is 20 mph or above. Saturday races that are postponed will be rescheduled one week later at 1300 hours unless other notice is posted on the CYC bulletin board.

Awards
Pennants are provided as prizes in each race to the first, second, and third-place skippers, provided that two boats have been beaten (for example, in a race among four boats, pennants will only be awarded to the first-place and second-place boats). Crew pennants are also awarded in Sailing School races.

Series trophies and pennants are awarded for July, August, and the season to qualified boats. Series awards are made based on cumulative results over the course of the season.

Local Regattas

Regattas for many classes of boats are held at various yacht clubs throughout Southern Massachusetts. A calendar of regattas and other events can be found on the Southern MA Sailing Association's website. Sailors are encouraged to participate in many racing opportunities.