Friday was the Annual Classic boat race, featuring boats designed at least 25 years ago. It is a relaxed race, as much of a parade as a race. The winds were light and the course was shortened to a big loop around Squirrel Island. The start times for each type of boat are designed to spread out the fleet, so the slower and smaller boats began first and bigger and faster boats go later. The object is that all boats finish at approximately the same time.

Rounding the first mark most boats remained in the order of their start. As tide and wind shifts can make it tricky, positions can change a lot during the race.

Turning around from the middle of the fleet as we passed the first mark, we see the big boats coming on in pursuit of the smaller boats.

During the rounding of Squirrel Island the wind was shifting from the Northwest to the Southwest. It was just enough of a change for the incredible classic beauty Marilee to sail up on the inside of the fleet, make one quick tack to fetch the island, take off on a broad reach to Fisherman’s Passage, Nun 6, where it jibed around the mark and took off away from the fleet to the finish line off Spruce Point.

The top place winners were: first place, Marilee, NY 40; second place, C-Fever, Boothbay Harbor One Design; and third place, Gemini, Etchells.

The next event in the “Summer of Sail” is the 46th Annual BHYC Regatta to be held next Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 1-2. This is a premier 2-day event that GMORA, the official racing association for Maine, has offered to run with a National Race Officer. These races often attract several boats from Portland and other Maine racing centers. The details are all explained in the Sailing 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 www.bhyc.net/ /racing-and-regattas to check the time and to register for these races. All sailboats are welcome.

Due to the COVID-19 protocols, this year the BHYC regatta will not sponsor onsite activities. Takeout meals are available as are moorings and limited dock access at the Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club.