A Brief Guide to Racing at CHYC

CHYC's schedule of sailboat races aims to offer a mix of traditional one-design racing and more casual events open to boats of many sizes. The range of races, for members and their invited guests, is described briefly below. For further details, please contact the Race Committee Chair. We'd love to see lots of people out on the race course!

Club Races

These are typically held Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2 PM, though the schedule often varies, so be sure to check the official calendar. 2:00 is when the first start sequence will begin, so allow time to get to the race course outside the harbor entrance. The day's course(s) and any last-minute instructions will be announced by the committee boat, so be sure to sail by that boat prior to the race. The start sequence is typically a 3-minute 'dinghy' start with time-suggestive whistle blasts, but, as with any sailing start, having one's own stopwatch is recommended.

The club's two “one-design” classes are Beetle Cats and Herreshoff 12½'s. Depending how many boats show up, the Beetles and 12½'s may be started separately or together. If started together, scoring will still be within that class only (so, for example, if a Beetle finishes behind two Herreshoffs, it is still the winning Beetle). Boats of classes other than Beetles and Herreshoff 12½'s may, at the race committee's discretion, participate in races but are not eligible for class series prizes. Herreshoffs may use spinnakers, but in practice this rarely occurs in club races because the leeward leg is so short.

Often a "club race" will consist of several short races. When multiple races are held on a day, scoring will be an average of that day's results, so a day with more races is not "worth more" than a day with fewer. The scoring system used is high point: a point for every boat beaten and a point for finishing. Prizes (awarded after the Chowder Race) are typically for first and second in each class for each month, July and August. Scoring is by boat, not skipper – regular participation helps in winning a prize!

The Round Torrey Club Race is part of the regular July series, but the course (conditions permitting) is around the Torrey Islands and potentially additional buoys. With its single start and longer format around natural obstacles, this event often draws a larger-than-usual turnout and can be seen as a tuneup of sorts for the White Island Race.

July Jubilee

This race is open to all sizes and types of boat, starting en masse and typically sailing around several islands and/or buoys. Prizes are awarded after the race, often for the winners in one-design classes and a discretionary category or two. The course will involve some form of handicap for faster boats, probably a "bang mark" - this is a buoy toward which the fleet must sail, but once the first boat reaches the mark, the fleet may alter course toward the next mark. Obviously this feature (like the entire racing program) requires a spirit of good sportsmanship and the understanding that the goal is to have fun.

Nanny/Old Goats Race

This event is for skippers 40 and older, with Nannies (women) and Old Goats (men) racing in the same race but being scored separately. The club tries to borrow boats to allow participation by all whether they own a class boat or not. Beetle Cats are typically used, though depending on numbers Herreshoff 12½'s might be sailed as well. A key feature of this event is that boats are assigned by draw and then rotated (first-to-last, etc.). Several short races are held, after which the large furry perpetual goat trophy (with cigarillos hanging from its neck) is awarded over libations provided by the prior-year winner.

Beetle Bowl

This is a one-day series of Beetle Cat races for the large silver Beetle Bowl trophy. A separate prize, the Commodore's Bowl, goes to the highest-placing junior (under 18) in the event.

White Island Race

This, the club's longest small boat race, is open to Beetles, Herreshoff 12½'s and other boats under 25 feet, including Bridges Point 24's. From a mass start, the course is to round White Island, clockwise or counterclockwise. Key variables include wind, tide and rocks – the race has produced many entertaining stories over the years. Prizes go to the winners of the one-design classes and (usually) at least one discretionary category.

Chowder Race

This is the grand finale of the racing season, open (like the July Jubilee) to boats of all sizes. The emphasis is on fun and mixing things up: boats will often be grouped into teams and the race may include tasks such as passing a ball (or egg) between boats, picking up balloons and/or answering trivia questions. Boats, including Beetles and 12½'s, may use any sails they wish (past Chowder Races have seen Beetles with jibs, mizzens, and umbrellas as spinnakers). Eventually some winners are determined and are announced to fanfare at the awards just before the Chowder Dinner.