The Classic Boat Rally is an organized sailing adventure up the Intracoastal Waterway from Savannah, GA to Charleston, SC for boats of classic design ranging in overall length from 15 feet to 24 feet. Each year's schedule is set to take maximum advantage of tidal currents and occurs between mid-April and mid-May. The next Classic Boat Rally will be April 23 to 30, 2009. Your "Shore crew" (spouse and/or friends) meet you with your car at each day's destination. Nights are spent at homes or hotels (or on your boat if you prefer). Races are imbedded each day. There is a "lay-day" in Beaufort for repairs, relaxation, practice, a Concurs d'Elegance judging, and a race around the buoys. Participate for as many days as you wish.

 

The co-organizers of the rally, with a lot of help from friends friends, are Sam ("Woody") Norwood, resident of Atlanta and Beaufort, member of Atlanta Yacht Club (Commodore 1987) and Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club, and Frank Pontious, resident of Beaufort, member and past Commodore and Chairman of the Board of Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club.

 

Fernandina Beach, FL to Savannah, GA: An informal cruise up the ICW will lead up to the Classic Boat Rally in April, 2009. Woody Norwood will lead this cruise. Participants will gather in Fernandina Beach April 16 and sail to Savannah with overnight stops in Jykell Island, Darien, Shellman Bluff, and Fort McAlister. This cruise is unsanctioned, may not have accompanying support craft. Participants will arrive in Savannah on Tuesday evening, April 21. This will provide a day to relax and repair and visit historic Savannah before beginning the Classic Boat Rally on Thursday, April 23.

The objectives of the Classic Boat Rally are:
1. To share a safe but interesting and fun sailing adventure for the participants.
2. To share the comradery among individuals who have a particular appreciation for classic boat design.
3. To promote general interest in the ownership and use of classic boat designs in recreation, adventure, and racing.

4. To enable "shore crews" to immerse themselves in the rich history or the area by car and on foot during the day, and to be with the participants each evening and at night.

5. To encourage the development of interest and skills in sailing among young people through donations to the junior sailing programs of yacht and sailing clubs that serve as hosts of the Classic boat Rally.

Registration and participation:
1. Boat requirements: Sailboats LOA 15 to 24 feet, non-planing hulls, classic design but may be modern construction. Auxilliary engine required. Longer boats of heavy displacement will be considered and probably approved if the PHRF handicap rating is higher than 260. Draft of 4 feet or less (with centerboard up) is strongly recommended
2. Skipper requirements: General competence in sailboat handling in tidal conditions, familiar with coastal navigation. Teams of two or three, rotating at the helm, seem to work best.
3. Safety equipment requirements: All requirements of the U.S. Coast Guard for day sailing (night lights not required). Particularly, PFD for each person on board, one throwable (seat cushion), anchor with at least 150 feet of line, whistle or horn noise maker, bilge pump, paddle or oar, compass, fire extinguisher,VHF radio, navigating charts (plus GPS highly recommended).
4. Expenses: This is a shared expense, non-profit, event. Each participant will bear his own launching, dockage, hotel, dining, haul-out, and direct sailing expenses. There will be a $20 per day per boat charge (up to $200 for the whole event which includes two free days) to help support the cost of this web-site, general expenses, trophies, comped meals for the Race Committee, and fuel for the supporting motor boats.

5. Days: There are 12 official sailing days). Participation can be for a single day or multiple days or for the whole event. An "offshore option" may be offerred on certain days.
5. Registration: Complete the registration form and send it by fax or mail it with the Registration Fee by April 1 (see "2009 Registration" link).

Sponsorships are invited and will be listed here and mentioned with thanks at social functions and trophy presentations. Please see Sponsor link at left.

 

 

 

 

Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions are posted.

Thursday: Meet in Savannah, launch the boats at near-by Hogans Marina, lunch at SYC, have a short practice sail. Site will be Savannah Yacht Club on Whitmarsh Island. Dinner at B. Mathews downtown. Overnight in Savannah at Mulberry Inn..
Friday: Sail Savannah YC to South Carolina YC on Hilton Head Island. South Carolina Yacht Club is at Windmill Harbor. Cocktails and dinner at SCYC. Overnight at Hilton Garden Inn. Sport coats required.

Saturday: Sail Hilton Head to Beaufort. Destination is Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club on Lady's Island. Welcome cocktails on the dock. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Beaufort at Beaulieu House B&B on Cat Island.
Sunday: Classic Boat Day at BYSC. Concurs d'Elegance at noon. Race around the buoys to downtown. Low Country Boil dinner at BYSC. Overnight in Beaufort at Beaulieu House.
Monday: Sail Beaufort to Edisto Island Marina. Dinner at local restaurant on your own. Accomodations at a nearby house on the river reserved by Classic Boat Rally.

Tuesday: Sail Edisto Marina to Bohicket Marina. Dinner on your own. Most will return to Edisto Island for dinner.

Wednesday: Sail Bohicket Marina to Carolina Yacht Club in historic Charleston. Victory dinner at Carolina Yacht Club (coat and tie required). Overnight in Charleston.

Thursday: Haul out, pack up, and depart, unless staying for a longer visit.