Eggemoggin Reach Regatta - Saturday, August 6, 2011

The Eggemoggin Reach Regatta began humbly in 1985 with thirteen wooden boats and a dream. Organizer Steve White along with Frank Hull of Brooklin Boatyard first envisioned the race as an opportunity for wooden boat owners to get to together and enjoy each others’ company as well as to compete. The race quickly grew to 125 boats and is now co-hosted by Brooklin Boatyard and Rockport Marine.. The Regatta’s 15-mile course has remained the same over the years and only once was the race cancelled due to fog. (The party still happened though!) The Camden Feeder Regatta and the Castine Classic Yacht Race soon joined the ERR to create a truly spectacular three-day event.

This year, there are some new yachting opportunities during the summer surrounding the ERR.

Prior to the ERR on July 28 and 29 there will be the second annual Lunenburg Wooden Boat Reunion. All wooden boats, power, sail, commercial and pleasure and their crews are invited to gather in beautiful Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. On Saturday there will be a sailboat race; Sunday will see the Putt Putt race exclusively for boats powered by “make and break” engines. Boat builders and related maritime crafts people will be displaying and demonstrating their work all weekend. There will be music, dancing, and because this is Lunenburg there will be opportunities for sailors to quench their thirst as well. We are hoping that there will be enough interested boats heading to Maine after the LWBR that we can make a friendly cruise / race out of the trip to Maine for the ERR. (Approximately 250 nm) For more information please check out the website www.lunenburgwoodenboatreunion.com

On Wednesday, August 1 the Castine Yacht Club will host a Fife Yacht Symposium at the Delano Auditorium at Maine Maritime Academy. The panel discussion of restorers, historians and sailors of Fife yachts from both sides of the Atlantic will be moderated by Taylor Allen of Rockport Marine. For more information please visit: www.castineyachtclub.org

Finally, we are pleased to announce that WoodenBoat Publications will have a presentation on Friday evening, August 3 under the big tent. They will also be creating a printed program of the race participants, to be included in the ERR race packets. To this end, we request that all registered boat owners provide information about their vessel, including a brief history, description, and photo of the boat. For more information please email Pat Lown at WoodenBoat Publications pat.lown@woodenboat.com

2012 marks the first year of a new collaboration between 5 Maine boatyards called “The Maine Escape.” Brooklin Boatyard, Hodgdon Yachts, Lyman Morse Boatbuilding, Front Street Shipyard, Wayfarer Marine and Rockport Marine have joined forces to promote the different regattas and events that will take place in mid-coast Maine in July and August. Please visit the site to learn more about great yachting opportunities before and after the ERR.