Lucky Dog Races!
One of the most popular racing programs at the clubs is the "Lucky Dog Races." This is an informal racing program which is run on Friday afternoons.
Any skipper member can reserve a boat to participate. Just make a reservation as normal on the website and indicate "Lucky Dog" in the comment section. Then find your own crew or gather some pick-up crew at the dock. Any regular member is invited to come down to the docks to try and get on a race boat.
The name of the series says it all. The reason for the name is that if you are able to sail on a Friday afternoon, you are a Lucky Dog!
This program is currently only open to club J/24s. If PHRF boats are interested in racing, a second start will be added.
The program was begun in 2010 and became an immediate success with a strong and growing following of Lucky Dogs.
Here's what you need to know:
1) This is an informal and fun racing series. If you are too serious, stay home.
2) The Skipper's Meeting is on the Mermaid every Friday at 2:00 p.m.
3) The start of the race is held off North Cove at 2:30 pm exact on GPS time. The race committee will just blow the starting horn at 2:30 exact and then call any boats over the line if they are.
4) The entry fee is $10 per boat and will be charged to the skipper's club account.
5) The race course will be announced at each Skipper's Meeting. The course will be set by the winner of the previous week's race.
6) The race must be completed by 4:30 pm and all boats back at dock by 5:15 pm (for evening sailing). If the previous week's winner sets a course which cannot be completed in time, the next week's course will be set by the race committee.
7) At the end of each race, participants gather in the Mermaid for a trophy presentation.
8) Pick up crews are encouraged. If there is a member at the dock looking to join the race and your boat is not full, please take them. That's the Lucky Dog spirit!
9) Anyone who tries to hard or wins too much will be cuddled until they relax and/or let someone else win.