March 2025

© Sharon Green / ultimatesailing.com Craig Leweck, Editor of Scuttlebutt, put out a great opinion piece in the February 11th issue, “Losing Site of the Magic Formula.” The topic always hits me like banging my funny bone. It stings like hell and has no obvious cure! The issue is should classes, in this case the J/70, outlaw techniques that can really only be mastered by professional sailors. If classes can figure out a solution, they would maintain,…

Our friends at Sea Cliff Yacht Club in Sea Cliff, NY have announced exciting initiatives for this year’s Around Long Island Regatta (ALIR), which starts July 24 in New York Harbor.   “For the first time in the race’s history, two courses will be offered—the traditional 207-mile ALIR course, and now the 250-mile Around the Islands course,” said Event Chair Shana Spanier-Ciminski. “This will allow the most intrepid of the fleet the opportunity to circumnavigate both Long…

    This past September, the Port Jefferson Yacht Club (PJYC) in Port Jefferson, NY held its 15th annual Village Cup Regatta, an event founded to support pancreatic cancer research through the Lustgarten Foundation, and the treatment of patients through Mather Hospital’s Palliative Care Unit in Port Jefferson. All funds raised are split 50-50 between these two organizations. Over its 15-year history, this event has now raised over a million dollars for the cause! Our Celebrity Ambassador…

Event organizers of Charleston Race Week at Patriots Point are excited to announce a new launch and storage solution for 2025, made possible by the generous support of the South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA). The north end of Union Pier Terminal, located on the Charleston peninsula, will be available for participants, providing gated storage space free of charge during the event. This new location, just south of the Charleston Maritime Center, offers a secure and convenient option…

This year marks two decades of operation for Brooklyn Boatworks in Brooklyn, NY, and this remarkable organization is just getting started. “Founded in 2005 by Carl Persak and Jeremy Wurmfeld, Brooklyn Boatworks began as a small volunteer program with a heartfelt purpose – to engage New York City youth in their environment while developing critical thinking skills,” said Executive Director Maggie McNicholas. “Fast forward to today, our programs serve over 375 students per year, inspiring them through the craft of…

Our friends at the New England Multihull Association (NEMA) are pleased to announce the 2025 Corsair Nationals – Buzzards Bay Multihull Regatta, to be held July 25-27 in Marion, MA. “This regatta will be hosted again by the Beverly Yacht Club, which hosted our 2023 event very capably,” said NEMA Commodore Andy Houlding. “Corsair Marine is our prime sponsor and has committed to a four-year Corsair Nationals Series. In 2026, the Nationals will move to the West Coast, followed…

We’ve got skippers looking for crew! We’ve got crew looking for a boat to sail! We’ve got people who like to get together for good times both on and off the water!     Based in Norwalk, CT, Singles Under Sail (SUS) is an active group of people who love the water. “Our members have experience that ranges from novice to licensed captains,” said Ronnie Ross, SUS Public Relations officer. “Some have been in the club for…

  New Era for Newport Bermuda Race A subtle yet significant logo update The Newport Bermuda Race has always been a celebration of tradition and history, a hallmark of endurance and seamanship dating back to 1906. As we look ahead to the 2026 edition of this iconic race, which marks another milestone: 100 years of the Cruising Club of America and the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club partnering on organizing the race, we’re embracing a quiet but meaningful…

361nm international classic starts July 6 By Vicki Staveacre Returning to this year’s Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race is Jesse Terry’s Abigail, a wooden 39-foot ketch designed by John Alden and built by Seth Persson in 1956, right after Finisterre, which won the Newport Bermuda Race three times. Jesse bought Abigail nine years ago in Maine. “She was built in the neighboring town to where I grew up in Connecticut, so it felt like I was bringing…

Even though most genoas and jibs are smaller than the main- sails they team up with, your head- sail should get at least as much careful trimming attention as your main. That’s because a jib feels no disturbance from the mast and sails in an eternal lift created by flow around the main. As a result, your headsail provides more than its share of your boat’s power. For these reasons, it’s important to work hard at finding…