OPEN HOUSE REGATTA & PARTY

Event Notice
Sunday, May 30, 2021

NOTICE The event information below, used in conjunction with the General Offshore Notice of Race and the General One Design Notice of Race, as applicable, comprises the complete NOTICE OF RACE for the event.

DESCRIPTION: Make the highlight of your Memorial Weekend this fun-filled day of "low-key" racing, camaraderie, music, and summer-inspired food with your fellow club members. The Open House Regatta and Party is an event for every part of the club.  We've got Offshore, One Design, Junior, Cruising, and Social divisions all coming together for an easy race, a raft-up, and dinner with a band. Our members are encouraged to invite all of their friends on their boats and to the club for the festivities. Invite your friends if they have boats that meet the criteria!

The day starts with a staggered start pursuit race for all boats around a set of government marks, finishing in the early afternoon just off the FBYC pier. Then all of the boats are encouraged to raft up, and we'll shuttle folks from the FBYC dock to the boats. To end the evening, there will be dinner and live music.

"Sail fast, have fun, bring a friend, and enjoy the party!"

Offshore, One Design, Juniors, and Cruising sailboats are encouraged to participate.  All spectators on land are encouraged to take the shuttle to the raft-up.

CLASSES: The Open House Regatta is a handicap pursuit race open to any boat rated with Portsmouth Yardstick D-PN Handicap rating or PHRF rating.  (courtesy ratings will be given to boats without certificates).

THE START: At the Skippers' Meeting each boat will be given a staggered start time based on their rating.  (This enables an orderly start and prevents a jumble of boats from being in the starting area at once.)

SAILING AREA:  Starts will be in Godfrey Bay and sail to the Bay around marks at the entrance of the Piankatank and then back to a finish near the club pier in Fishing Bay.

FINISH: Spectators should congregate around 1pm on the Fishing Bay hillside and pier to watch the sailboats finish racing off the dock.

TIME LIMIT: If one boat finishes within 3 hours from the start, the race will be valid for all racers.  All boats must finish within 1h 30m of the first finisher or 1500, whichever is later.

SCORING: All boats will be scored using the Portsmouth Rating in the order of their finish.  Boats with PHRF ratings will be converted to Portsmouth.  Boats without PHRF ratings will be assigned a courtesy rating. 

RAFT UP: Come join the raft up in Fishing Bay around 1300 or after you finish racing.   Raft will break up at 1600

PARTY: The party starts at 1700 with Happy Hour and live entertainment. Dinner will be available by pre-order and pre-payment only.  Orders due by Monday, 5/24.

Choose dinner (Brisket, Pulled Pork, Pulled Chicken, Sausage or Vegetarian Pasta)  with sides, bread, and dessert at time of order.  $15 for adults and $10 for children.  Will also include beverage.  Attendees are welcome to BYOB.

1700:On-shore Happy Hour with some light appetizers
1730-1900: Dinner served
1700-2030: Live Music by Neal & Perkins - sit back and relax or jump in and dance to some great "Island/Folk" music

RACE SCHEDULE:
0900: Skippers' Meeting (will receive start time)
1100: Warning Signal for first boat to start
1300: After finishing, please join the raft-up! Radio your intention on channel 71 to the raft-up marshal.

COURSES The course will use government marks in the Piankatank River and Piankatank Channel:

Start - the vicinity of Godfrey Bay.

X drop mark
R "12" starboard
R "8" port
FBYC B starboard
Y drop mark due east of FBYC B starboard
G "5" port
R "8" starboard
R "12" starboard
Finish - Fishing Bay, near the FBYC dock.

AWARDS described in the Sailing Instructions.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
0900: Skippers' Meeting (will receive start time)
1200: Raft-up begins
1300: Racing boats expected finish. RAFT UP and shuttles from pier to raft up.
1700: On-shore Happy Hour with some light appetizers and Live Music by Neal & Perkins
1730 -1900: Barbeque Dinner