Saturday, July 3 was the annual Classic boat race, featuring boats designed at least 25 years ago. The wind this year was unusual, out of the Northeast. The course was set from near McKown Point to a windward mark outside the town harbor. We then sailed west around both Mouse and Burnt Islands to the Squirrel Island Bell. We then beat our way up wind all the way through Linekin Bay to Cabbage Island and then back home to McKown Point.

To manage the race, BHYC Adult Sailing Director Geoff McCuskey was the Race Officer [PRO] and set all the start times. BHYC Commdore Liz Rettenmaier and her husband Scott Blake set up the Committee Boat near McKown Point. This new location was planned to become normal for the Classic Race series, so that more boats can more easily join us.

In the BHOD fleet, Eric Hakanson and his son Eric hung on to beat Toby Clarkson. Toby is part of the youth sailing team that is advancing in the Sears Cup Championship as well, so good job Eric.

One of the joys of this race is the mix of boats sailing together in a parade around the harbor. The race PRO used New England PHRF Handicaps to set start times.the slowest boat started first and the faster boats followed based on their handicap. In theory they all finish at the same time.

Caliente almost proved the point of timed start racing. She is a sleek J/37 and started almost last. In the good breeze, she was able to catch most of the fleet and take 3rd place in the overall race and 1st amongst the Cruising Class.

This event is a two-race event. The second race is scheduled for Aug. 14. We encourage all boats with designs more than 25 years old come and sail. As the fleet is clearly growing, we plan to recognize the different classes in the final evaluation. We were excited to get three Friendship Sloops to join us this year and hope more will come along next time.

The top place boats in the overall standings were:

• 1st place, Charisma, Boothbay Harbor One Design
• 2nd place, Molar Express, Boothbay Harbor One Design
• 3rd place, Caliente, J/37

The next event in the “Summer of Sail” is the Round Southport race to be held next Sunday, July 11. It includes an annual rivalry with the Southport Yacht Club with the prize of holding “a trash can” going to the best team. BHYC is the current holder of the trash can. Last year several public boats joined in, and we again encourage all who can participate join the fun. The start will be at 11 a.m. on July 12 at the North end of Ebenecook Harbor. The course is to sail around Southport Island to a finish line just outside McKown Point. The race is being run by Southport Yacht Club this year. Please register early via the links bellow, as the race committee needs to organize a timed start, based on the speed of your boat. We also ask racers to download racing instructions.

For further information, sailing instructions and to register, go to the Regatta Management Solutions calendar https://www.regattaman.com/calendar.php, select the race date and click info or register, or go to https://www.southportyachtclub.org/Round-Southport-Race or go to www.bhyc.net to check the time and to register for these races. All sailboats are welcome.