A Great Turnout for the BHOD Fleet at the 52nd Annual Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club Regatta

The 52nd Annual Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club Regatta and Shipyard Cup Classics Challenge sailed on July 18 & 19, and the headline for our association is a simple, wonderful one: the Boothbay Harbor One Design fleet showed up in force.

We had nine BHODs entered and seven on the starting line — a number that is notably up from recent years. There is nothing that makes a one-design class more fun than a crowded line and boats trading places all the way around the course, and that's exactly what we got. Thank you to everyone who rigged up, sailed hard, and helped make the fleet feel as lively as it did.

Saturday gave us two races in a steady, light breeze of about 8 knots all day. Both were sailed on a triangle: the first from the start near the Tumbler bell, out to Spruce Point, on to the Squirrel Island bell, around the inflatable drop mark at the mouth of the harbor, and home. The second race ran the same triangle in reverse, sending the fleet to the Squirrel Island bell first. Light air rewards patience and clean boat handling, and it was terrific racing throughout the fleet.

A special highlight was seeing BHYC instructor Lila Hall aboard "Mumtaz" (#52) with a group of young sailors from the BHYC Junior Program. Getting the next generation out on the water with the fleet is exactly the kind of thing that keeps this class strong, and it was a joy to watch.

Mother Nature had other plans for the rest of the weekend. A big band of rain and wind rolled through Saturday night and, for the first time in over a decade, forced the party indoors. It turned out to be a great evening all the same, with music and wonderful food from local favorite Mine Oyster. Sunday was blown out across the board, and racing was cancelled for every class.

Weather aside, this was a banner weekend for the Boothbay Harbor One Design. If you've been thinking about joining us on the line, consider this your invitation — the fleet is growing, the racing is close, and there's always room for one more boat. We hope to see even more BHODs out there next year.

Fair winds, and thanks to all who sailed.

Photo Credit to Keith P. Luke