Classic Boat Rally 2010: Beaufort to Savannah Round Trip:The Classic Boat Rally is an organized sailing adventure on the Intracoastal Waterway. From 2006 through 2009 the route was one-way from Savannah to Charleston. For 2010 the route will be from Beaufort, SC to Savannah, with an overnight stop on Hilton Head Island, round trip. This event is for sailboats 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, typically in April. The 2010 Classic Boat Rally will be March 28 to April 2. 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. Opening day in Beaufort will feature 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.

 

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.

Want to join us in the 2010 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 $25 per day per boat charge (up to $100 for the whole event) 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 5 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 March 1 (see "2010 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.

 

 

 

 

Saturday, March 27: Arrive Beaufort, launch, set up, practice

Sunday, March 28: Concurs d'Elegance judging, race around the buoys. Dinner at Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club.

Monday, March 29: Sail Beaufort to Hilton Head Island. Dinner at a near-by restaurant.

Tuesday, March 30: Sail Hilton Head to Savannah. Dinner in the Historic District.

Wednesday March 31: Sail Savannah to Windmill Harbour, Hilton Head Island. Dinner at South Carolina Yacht Club (jackets and tie required).

Thursday, April 1: Sail Hilton Head to Beaufort. Awards Banquet.

Friday, April 2: Homeward Bound