18 August 2026 · Written by Eric Hakanson

Commodore’s Cup #1 — 8 August 2026. Saturday was a beautiful day for racing with moderate wind from the southeast. The Race Committee set a line just north of Mouse Island and held three races. The first was to the Spruce Point nun and back. The second was a triangle to Spruce Point, the Squirrel Island bell, and back. The third was a repeat of the first.

It was great to see the Whitten family in #32 Swan join from Linekin Bay. With the second of three boats being Eben and Dana Wilson on #25 Charisma, it’s notable that wooden boats are still just as competitive as fiberglass BHODs. Not racing, but seen on the water during the racing, was #24 Wildfire with a full boat of kids and family — which serves as a great reminder: long time winter, go sailing!

’Round Southport — 15 August 2026. Since it was Southport Yacht Club’s turn to host this annual event, the fleet gathered in Ebenecook Harbor for a west-to-east race around Southport Island. Unlike most handicap racing, this event had a pursuit start, where the slowest boats go first and each boat has a set time to cross the line that takes its handicap into account. In theory, if all boats sail an equal race, everyone finishes at the same moment — which makes for an exciting time on the water, because if you pass a competitor you know you are ahead.

This year #24 Wildfire and #57 The Reach had the third start of the race. Both crossed the line within seconds of their timed start and ghosted, with wind abaft the beam, to the passage between Dogfish Head and Green Island — where the wind proceeded to die. The larger vessels kept starting behind them, and with their taller rigs able to catch the breeze over Green Island they soon covered their handicaps. So it goes. A brisk southwesterly filled in before Hendrick’s Head and it was as if it were a new race; the two BHODs were neck and neck the whole way with two Rhodes 19s.

Missing boats. We are looking for information on the following boats. If you know where they are, please contact admin@bhoda.org: #3 Hardalee II, #15 STP, #16 Hit or Miss, #17 Dolly, #36 Hoya, #41 Night Train, and #42 (name unknown).