What are some of the best regatta's around the USA?

I sometimes like to travel quite a ways for a regatta. I like to go to regatta's that are great in a lot of different ways that make it worth the trip. So what are some of your favorite regattas?

A couple of rules... You are not allowed to pick your local club regatta no matter how great it is. No one-time regattas. They have to be an annual event that has happened for at least three years.

Things that impact my decision in order of importance to me:
1. Location - Close/far from me. Sandy beaches a plus. Warm weather in the winter months. Size of body of water.
2. Race Committee - Solid RC with good courses.
3. Level of competition found at regatta.
4. Friendliness of folks at the regatta whether they be RC or competitors or helpers.
5. On site facilities. Bar, Bathroom, Shower, Camping, ....
6. Good value for the regatta fee. I never like to go to regattas that it seems like they are trying to turn a profit.
7. Launching facilities

Some of my favorites:
1. Racine, WI.
2. Tradewinds (Keys).
3. Steeplechase (Keys).
4. Midwinters East (Pensacola, FL)

Daytona. Gaulden Reed Summer Sizzler. Too late for this year.

http://www.fleet80.com/Sizzler2009.shtml

Spring Fever has to be #1 on my list.

Kelly Park

3 day regatta in Cocoa Beach Fl in June.

Awesome location - huge grassy area for rigging sandy beach for launching. Camping and party on site. Last year had a band. Race committee has always been awesome. Lots of races on great W/L courses.

Also - Hiram's Haul, Melbourne FL over Haloween weekend. Great two day distance race down the banana river. Day 1 - 30 miles south. Finish at big park. Great bar, and entertainment, and lodging at Captain Hiram's (especially if the race date is actually on Halloween!). Day 2 - Race back to day 1's start location. No ground crew needed, easy logistics. FUN RACE!

Mike with exception of Racine, WI (just because I haven't been there yet) you're list is my list.

I must add Gilligan's Run and Hiram's Haul to the list as they are very simple affairs with a very high social fun factor. The parties at these events run long after I've turned into a pumpkin.

Spring Fever is in a league of its own.

Ding

Admiral's Cup, Bokeelia Fla #1..Sorry, first year, but Im going back!
Spring Fever #2
Bare What You Dare, Keowee #3 hey, it was free!
Anything at Nigels...The rest of the list

Roton Point Club, Rowayton Ct.

This year marks the Golden Aniversary of the Fall Multihull Regatta, the oldest continuously run cat race in America, the first one held in 1959.

Roton point is a private club on Long Island Sound that has a long tradition of multihull sailing, including hosting the Alter Cup, and The Little America's Cup with the Patient Lady series.

The facilities include 13 acres of shaded waterfront, a 40' wide launching ramp with a haul out winch on a sandy beach, and a huge clubhouse with hot showers.

Camping is encouraged, motorhomes are welcomed.

The Saturday night steak dinner party is legendary, this year the entertainment is by Changes in Latitudes, the priemier Jimmy Buffet tribute band. (it's an easy stumble to your tent on the lawn outside)

The regatta is 3 miles from I-95, about an hour north of NYC. The PRO usually will try for a minimum of 7 races in two days with the awards ceremony early on Sunday afternoon for those traveling.

For all the elements that make a regatta great this is the best I've ever been to.

Notice of Race

If any one would like to mix it up in a mostly monomaran race that has had over 300 entries there is the Stamford Denmark Friendship race the week before.

Roton point will allow mast up storage for any boats showing up early for cats over 18'.

It's about a 6 mile sail down to the start from Roton Point.

(It's really fun blowing by a hundred half-boats at warp speed)

the party at SYC ain't too shabby either.

SYC NOR

Gilligans
Hirams
Miami to Key Largo
Tradewinds
Steeple Chase
Mug Cup (excepting the logistics)

Only problem withHirams is the conflict w/ Halloween Parties..

The Ditch Run.
Picking through 150 mono's on a 67 mile downwind run.

The Ditch Run sounds like Mug Cup!!!

Arbo, want to go sailing Saturday?

Huh? As point to point races go the logistics on this one is a snap. It's the only point to point event I've raced where they provide a shuttle and for a very nominal ($10) fee. There is no doubt issues (wind mostly) but logistics nah they have that one covered.

1. Mug Race ~ Jax, FL
2. Statue of Liberty Race ~ Sandy Hook, NJ
3. Bay Week ~ Put-In-Bay, OH

Really it is just the cat trax that I was thinking about. Since the riggin' area is not on the shore you have to keep the trax at the launch site until you put the boat in the water, then you have to find some one to take the trax to Jville yaght club.

Maybe next year I will volunteer to be the cattrax delivery guy.

Yes that is a pain and 09 was the first year I ramp launched at the park instead of over the rocks at the hotel. I'm sure with little pre planning a deal can be easily brokered, you and I both know people.

The trick we learned this year was to bring a couple of pieces of old carpet. Several folks did this and set their boats on them on the seawall in the park. The boats slid easily into the water and they left the carpets behind. Since we didn't bring any, we simply used those left after others had departed. When we returned Sunday to retrieve our car, all the carpet had been neatly placed in the trash.

Are you kidding? It's been 24 hours and no one has mentioned Madcatter, Wildwood or Rehoboth DE?

Roton Point has great parties. I'm the PRO this year, so RC should be excellent as well (of course, it always is, Mike wants a year off to sail). Now by posting this, you just know that I just set myself up for a drifter...

BTW, I don't know what warm weather has to do with anything if the regatta is in the summer...

Mike

Anything that is run by ABYC in Long Beach, CA.

A-Class events

Islamorada Race Week in mid January (5 days of sailing) always hosted by the Islander Resort in Islamorada, FL. Fantastic facility, wonderful sailing conditions, great racing, great competitors.

A-Class North American Championship - we strive to have the best venues possible and the last 4 years show that - Bristol, RI, Galesville, MD, Santa Cruz, CA, and Fort Walton Beach, FL. The NAC is our pinnacle event, is one week long, and always features tough racing against great competitors. In addition to overall awards, we provide awards for best mid-fleet finish, top master, grand master, and top woman.

Our new southern winter Florida circuit with a midwinter championship shared with the 505's at Fort DeSoto State Park near St. Petersburg in early February and the 1st Annual Admiral's Cup in Bokeelia in March were great successes also.

wow...no mention of Juana's?

Jaunas Good Time Regatta, 2nd weekend of Sept.
Juanas Pagoda, Navarre Beach FL
Hundreds of feet of beach launching.
Well thought out public boat ramp w/bathroom & showers
Trailer-on-Car Parking
Camping on beach ok during regatta
Juana's Pagoda, Sailor Grill and a convenience
store within 50 yds of any where you park
Distance race on Sat, Buoy races on Sun
Great Commitee, prizes, lots of fun and great people

This is one of those fun regattas that once you make it,
you do your damndest to make it every year