The Point Loma Yacht Club (PLYC) is hosting its 12th annual “Big Boat Race” on Sunday, July 23, beginning at noon south of Harbor Island.
The Big Boat Race is a charity event to help the San Diego Children’s Hospital. This year proceeds will go to the Little People of Children’s Hospital, which is a part of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit that treats the most critically ill newborns. Many suffer from severe heart and lung conditions or are born extremely premature.
This year, the PLYC is combining its efforts with the Chula Vista Yacht Club, which conducts its ‘Little Race for Little People,’ a wacky inflatable boat race, that will be held Saturday, Aug. 19. The Chula Vista Yacht Club will present the combined donation to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the Children’s Hospital.
The PLYC race is open to everyone, not just yacht club members.
“All are invited. There are several classes of racers, from cruising boats, to multihulls, to the full race boats,” said Lance Murphy, PLYC director. “Each boat is given a ‘PHRF rating,’ like a golfer’s handicap. The rating attempts to equalize the field with the faster boats getting a handicap so that there is an ‘adjusted time’ that determines the winner of each class.”
Participants are asked to pay an entry fee donation of $1 per vessel foot or an unlimited donation.
The race begins at noon, but participants are encouraged to arrive up to an hour before the race to organize the start. Each class of boat will then start in 10-minute increments after noon.
The circular course will begin and end at the “Committee Boat.”
“The races usually run from six to 14 miles in length,” Murphy said. “The specific course is selected before the start based on the wind direction and strength. We expect the race to be 1.5 to 2.5 hours in duration.”
A party and raffle will be held at the PLYC clubhouse after the race at 1880 Harbor Island Drive.
For additional information, sailing instructions and entry forms, call the PLYC, (619) 299-PLYC (299-7592) or visit www.pointlomayc.org.
The deadline for entry is up to the first warning for start.