PYC RACING

Racing is scheduled year 'round. Cruising boats race on Saturday afternoons with a 1:00pm or 10:00am starting gun depending upon the racing season and on Sundays at 2:30 from March through November. Beginning in mid-April and continuing through October One-Design dinghies are raced on Sundays with a starting time at 2:30pm. As daylight permits, usually from mid April to the end of August, Wednesday night Jib And Main (JAM) races are scheduled at 7:00pm. Race committee should arrive at least one hour early. Race committee instruction is offered aboard the RC boat during the year, or just volunteer to help out to get experience for your turn.

Historically one-design dinghy fleets have included; Snipes, Highlanders, Flying Scots, Optimists, Lasers, CR914 (RC model boat), and MC Scows. Most of these fleets still have some level of activity today. We have also had one design activity in a few keel boat classes including Catalina 22, J24, and S2 7.9. Participation in one of the Fleets is encouraged and Associate Members should contact the Fleet Captains. PYC is a member of the Dixie Yacht Racing Association (DYRA). DYRA posts regatta schedules of all member clubs, helps organize educational opportunities, promotes junior sailing activities, and helps sponsor U. S. Sailing “Ladder Events”. Traditional annual regattas at PYC include; The Chattanooga Challenge (Catalina 22’s); Choo Choo Regatta (Flying Scots), The Scowabunga Regatta (MC Scows), Spring PHRF Regatta, The Dog Days Regatta (single handed regatta), The CSC Halloween Regatta (Keel Boats) and the Pig (Keel Boat pursuit race).

Racing is PYC’s most important activity. Associate members are highly encouraged to participate in racing activities either as skippers of their own boat or as a crew member of someone else’s boat.

Most skippers sail short-handed and welcome additional crew. Experience is not necessary as long as you are willing to learn. Make yourself available to skippers by being on the clubhouse porch before race time. If you are a new skipper racing is the quickest way to learn how to handle your boat. Experienced skippers are willing to go with you on your boat to improve your experience and confidence level.