The Plym Yacht Club hosts several events such as the Friday Night Series
(I and II), the Keith Hyde Memorial Race (Long Distance Race), the Plym Yacht Club
Regatta, the Plymouth Inshore Points Series and Saturday Afternoon Autumn Series
(specifically aimed at cruisers in PY Divisions A, B and C). Last year the moonlight
race was resurrected after a number of absence years, usually after one of the Friday
evening races. The races generally take place in Plymouth Sound, utilizing various
buoys as markers to race around. The racing can be challenging as the bay is somewhat
sheltered, and at times there is a dying incoming sea breeze that is heading in a
different direction from the upcoming evening breeze off the land. Tidal considerations
also confuse the issue further. Most of the fleet consists of Portsmouth Yardstick
Divisions FastA, PYA, PYB, and PYC but there are also other classes if enough boats
present themselves, eg IRC or Ballad etc., in the order of six boats +., and the
handicap split varies depending on entry, but can peak at around 17 - 20 boats in
a class during popular times ! In September / October we run a series of races on
Saturday afternoon aimed at cruisers that want to improve their sailing by taking
part in gentle racing. Don't worry if you've never raced before, this series is for
you.
A NEW class has been introduced this year, “THE WHITE SAIL CLASS”. This
class is for the cruising fraternity to gently race without all the hastle of full
blown racers. They race ONLY under main and jib/genoa and spinnakers or cruising
shutes are BANNED. The handcaps will be based on the Port Handicap for their boat.
If this class takes off we may expand it to cover other events in the year.
