Racing For Cruisers On The Magothy

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From the last Friday in May through the last Friday in September, Yacht Club of Cape St. Claire (YCCSC) organizes friendly Friday night races on the Magothy River.

The races are geared to cruisers and beginning or casual racers as YCCSC aims to keep a laid-back attitude. YCCSC also wants to keep it easy, so headsail changes are not allowed (in particular, no spinnaker).

Knowledge of racing rules is not required, and YCCSC does not entertain protests. Event organizers said the races are open to everybody, including parents with children.

Every boat is different, so YCCSC uses handicaps based on the performance handicap racing fleet system to make it more equal, from an 18-foot pocket cruiser to a cruising yacht. YCCSC has even entered an occasional Hobie 16 or another dinghy. The goal for YCCSC is not so much to win as it is to have another reason to go sailing with friends of the yacht club.

There is no cost to YCCSC members, including Magothy River Sailing Association and Gibson Island Yacht Squadron. Non-members may join YCCSC with membership dues of $45. The application is on the group’s website.

Directions are included in the “Committee Boat Information” document on the “Friday Night Racing” page at www.capeyachtclub.org.

Races start at 7:00pm (6:30pm in September) and last an hour typically. Just show up and find the race committee boat, which sports a “RC” flag. Check in with the race committee, find out about the course and get ready for the start. The results are published weekly on the website.

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