New classic race added to the CYCS schedule

New classic race added to the CYCS schedule © Boothbay Yacht Club

Boothbay Harbor, ME, a town steeped in maritime history, welcomes classics racing to its shores this summer in the 47th annual Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club Regatta.

The Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club has announced the addition of classic yacht racing to its annual regatta: The Shipyard Cup Classics Challenge.

The new feature is being introduced in response to growing participation in classics races in Maine, and to celebrate Boothbay Harbor's deep sailing roots. For boats competing in other events in CYOA's Classic Yacht Challenge Series in Penobscot Bay in late July/early August, this event is another great opportunity to enjoy racing in Maine and score a few more points in the championship series.

Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club Commodore Liz Rettenmaier comments, "the Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club is extremely excited to be adding classic yachts to our annual regatta, which will be run for the 47th time this summer. Teaming up with our sponsors from the local maritime industry under the name Shipyard Cup to include these vintage boats brings together our club's great racing tradition with the legendary history of shipbuilding in this area."

This event will feature 3-5 races over the span of two days July 24th -25th. As with other CYOA Classics Series, boats will race in divisions for Vintage, Classic, Modern Classic, and Spirit of Tradition, along with the racing divisions for PHRF, One Design (J/80s) and cruising that have traditionally been offered. Yachts competing in the classic divisions will race under the CRF rule.

In addition to the races and social gathering being planned for Saturday evening, competitors will be invited to show off their yachts in a classic boat parade for the Boothbay Harbor community.

Known for its scenic islands, lighthouses and large harbor, Boothbay is a popular stop on many yacht club cruises throughout New England. The harbor boasts numerous moorings, slips, hotels, and restaurants. The outer harbor's expansive, deep anchorage areas accommodate yachts of all sizes.

BHYC's Shipyard Cup Classics Challenge takes its name from the former Shipyard Cup Regatta, a popular superyacht race that was a mainstay for both the sailing and local community in Boothbay Harbor for over a decade. The new Shipyard Cup Classics Challenge will carry on that spirit of tradition for today's classic yacht sailors.

Enthusiasm for the event has already begun percolating, with commitments from the 1926 NY-40 Marilee and the 1937 12-metre Gleam. These and other classic racing yachts will be joined on the water by BHYC's own heritage class: the classic Boothbay Harbor One Designs, a 21-foot sloop designed by Geerd Hendel first launched in 1938. Over 40 of these boats still sailing and a number of them are expected to race in the regatta. It also is expected that some local Friendship sloops, which are the iconic Maine working sailing vessel, will be joining in on the action.

Boothbay Harbor's longstanding maritime heritage dates back over 200 years. Historic shipyards in the area known for their sailboat building include, among many others, Hodgdon Yachts (founded 1816) and Boothbay Harbor Shipyard (founded 1869), both of which are still in business and thriving. Notably, Hodgdon Yachts built Comanche, the multiple record-holding 100-foot Supermaxi. Boothbay Harbor Shipyard (now owned by Bristol Marine) is currently restoring the schooner Ernestina Morrissey, the official vessel of Massachusetts and a National Historic Landmark.

"Bristol Marine has been a proud sponsor of classic yachting in Rhode Island," says Andy Tyska, president of Bristol Marine, a lead sponsor for the Shipyard Cup Classics Challenge. "We are excited to help bring this new classic event to Maine through our facility in Boothbay Harbor."

"Hodgdon Yachts is very pleased to support the return of the Shipyard Cup newly configured as a classic yacht regatta under the umbrella of the Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club," says Tim Hodgdon, president of Hodgdon Yachts, which hosted the original Shipyard Cup Regatta and is also sponsoring this new event.

"Over the eleven years that the regatta was held it was recognized for its high-quality yacht racing in the scenic Boothbay region and was enjoyed by avid spectators on land and sea. The heritage of area's long standing shipbuilding tradition inspired the Shipyard Cup name and the introduction of a major classic yacht racing event to the area is a perfect fit that we are very excited about," adds Tim Hodgdon.

As we look ahead to the 2021 racing season, be sure to check out the event page for more details on this exciting addition to the summer schedule!