June 2024

When WindCheck was started, it was inspired by SpinSheet Magazine out of Annapolis. As such, it was primarily a racing mag for Long Island Sound. In the twenty-two years since, it has evolved to cover all manner of boating including cruising, some power boating, junior and college sailing, history and of course some entertaining “how to” (and some “how not to”) stories from our excellent columnists. We have expanded geographically to the point that our standard line…

New Starting Location and Family Friendly Experience at Fort Adams By Kate Somers, risingT For the first time in its 118-year history, the Newport Bermuda Race has a new starting location just off the shoreline of Fort Adams State Park. This exciting shift in venue provides an opportunity to cheer on the 170 boats starting the 636-mile Thrash to the Onion Patch. Free and open to the public, the Starting Line Party is Friday, June 21 from 12 to 4…

New York Yacht Club American Magic and New England Science & Sailing (NESS) in Stonington, CT have released their “Sail Locker” of experiential activities and resources to bring the technology behind American Magic into the classroom. The digital “Sail Locker” includes a comprehensive suite of K-8 activities and content, utilizing American Magic’s campaign as a dynamic learning platform to advance students’ academic achievements and enrich social-emotional development. These resources are tailored for schools and community sailing programs…

© The Multihull Source The New England Multihull Association (NEMA) will hold its first “Triple Crown” racing series this summer, with multihulls-only races at Martha’s Vineyard, Buzzards Bay, and Newport. The traditional Black Dog Dash, a pursuit race starting at anchor in Vineyard Haven Harbor, with a course out to Cape Poge, to Edgartown, and back to the Vineyard Haven breakwater, kicks off the Triple Crown on July 20. The following week, the new Buzzards Bay Multihull…

Two great sailmaking brands under one roof Conny Baris, owner of UK Sailmakers Northeast, is proud to announce the formation of Northeast Sailmakers, Inc. which recently purchased Mark Ploch’s Doyle Sails New York. Northeast Sailmakers will run UK|NE and Doyle NY as separate divisions, now located together at 161 East Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck, NY in the Safe Harbor Post Road Marina. Baris is excited to bring UK|NE, the oldest sailmaking business in North America, and Doyle…

With the biggest amateur sailing prize on the East Coast up for grabs, the Antigua and Barbuda Hamptons Challenge will again take place on Saturday, August 10. This event was the brainchild of the iconic Rob Roden, founder and publisher of the Captain’s Guide, who passed away in August 2018 just weeks before the inaugural event. Carried on by his wife Theresa, the race is held on beautiful Peconic Bay at the East End of Long Island.     Sponsored…

The 3rd Annual CT Sea Music Festival is sailing into downtown Essex the weekend of June 7-10. The festival includes a Symposium of scholarly maritime presentations on Friday, free daytime concerts and workshops on Saturday and Sunday, demonstrations of nautical and Irish rowing skills, a parade, sails on the Connecticut River, a hymn sing, evening concerts (ticketed), and late-night sings at the historic Griswold Inn. Come hear local, regional, and international musicians perform throughout charming Essex Village!…

Essex Yacht Club’s seventy-second Wetherill Race was sailed May 17-18. With a strong northeasterly to easterly breeze blowing through most of the race, this year’s event was exciting. The Line Honors boat, Frank Flores’ Neo 430 Rhumb Runner, finished the 140-mile course in less than 19 hours, the quickest run since the race course was lengthened in 2021 to run from the mouth of the Connecticut River to Gay Head on Martha’s Vineyard and back, leaving Block…

Story & photos by Buttons Padin Larchmont Yacht Club’s annual distance race, the Edlu Race, was sailed without a hitch on Saturday, May 11, compared to last year when this venerable event was abandoned after an extended postponement due to lack of wind. This 32-mile annual event saw forty-six boats crossing the line ranging from flat-out ORC racers to PHRF club racers, J/88s sailing as one-designs, and doublehanders. With a nearly east/west racetrack on western Long Island…

The 2024 American Yacht Club Spring Regatta wrapped up three solid days of sailing May 3 – 5, with Friday’s coastal race leading into the weekend’s mix of windward-leeward and coastal courses. On Friday, five classes (ORC, PHRF 1-3, and PHRF Non-Spinnaker) hit the starting line. PRO Nick Everett set up three courses ranging from 9.5nm to 18.5nm. The sailors finished off the day in full sunshine, hanging out on the club lawn with a band and…