10/05/2026
GOOD SAILING NEWS
Only one more race left this year. It was a very good year. Lots of races and lots of participation.
In Salem Sound, we had racing Wed night BYC, Thursday night Jubilee and Friday night EYC. Of course, weekend racing with all the clubs.
PHRFNE issued 750 certificates. This is pretty steady for the last 3 years and close to what we saw in the 2016 thru 2019 years. So with all this talk of sailboats going away, these numbers don’t say that.
Most of the races I did this summer were well attended. I believe that the people running the races have finally realized they have to promote the races.
In the late 1970’s and into the 1980s, the golden years, we waited for the Mass Bay Sailing book to come out so we could see the race schedule. Almost every race was in Marblehead, shared by the 3 big clubs.
Now everyone talks about how well those races were attended.
This year’s BYC Wednesday night series averaged about 25 boats, but Bump remember the 50 boats we used to get in 1982??
Yes but BYC Wednesday evening race was the only evening race from Plymouth MA, to Portland Maine. Now there are at least 8 evening races in that area with an average of 160 boats racing in evening races that week.
E mail blasts, social media, and blogs all promote races. Many races have a theme to promote a worthy charity. Like Sail Salem, a great program to promote.
I have already gotten emails promoting next years, Figawi, Block Island, and Edgartown around the Island Race.
Some of these races have paid staff promoting the event.
The PHRFNE Championship regatta group is working now on next summers race. Ideas for bands and liquor sponsors to make a great event.
People are showing up for sailing events. Yachts clubs and race promoters are doing better all the time. There is a great future for sailing.
Start planning now for great racing next summer.
