Top phone2x 989-686-1130 Top search2x Login Join
Home / Racing
Home / Racing

Racing

The Bay City Yacht Club is the center of inner Saginaw Bay sailboat racing. We are home to Lightning Fleet 216, have an active Wednesday Night fun-racing program as well as a more competitive weekend series. We frequently host regional regattas and welcome inquiries to utilize BCYC facilities to host sailboat racing events.

Connect with us on Facebook To stay in tune with sailboat racing on the Saginaw Bay and the Great Lakes.

We have a number of different racing opportunities as listed below

Wednesday Night Main and Jib Series

The BCYC Main and Jib series runs from May to early October each year. The season is split into 3 series: Spring, Summer and Fall. Races are held Wednesday evenings. Races are run in accordance with US Sailing Racing Rules Of Sailing and utilize PHRF handicapping. Participants are slotted into fleets based on PHRF rating and boat type. Race results are announced at the BCYC clubhouse and online after each race. Season awards are presented at a festive, fun BCYC Sailing Banquet held in late October, early November of each year. Registration and entry fees are required.

Wednesday Night One Design Lightning Fleet #216

The Saginaw Bay Lightning Fleet #216 has been located at the Bay City Yacht Club from the very start of the club in the 1950's. At BCYC, the fleet consists of over 12 boats who are active in the fleet racing program which occurs on every Wednesday night from May to September. The Bay City Lightning One Design Series involves a closed race course within a mile of shore and typically consists of 2-3 races each night. The results of each race is recorded and scores are tallied at the end of the season and awards presented.

The Lightning, a 19-foot trailerable centerboard sloop is an affordable family "day sailor" and racing boat. She has evolved into one of the most popular and competitive one-design racing classes in the world for crews of Men, Women, and Juniors alike. The Lightning is easy to launch and sail with a crew of 2-4 people and raced typically with a crew of three, it is also light enough to trailer with ease.

Weekend Series

The BCYC Weekend Series runs from June through September of each year. Spinnaker, Cruising and Multhull classes are being offered. The weekend series is the more competitive series hosted by BCYC and consists of a mix of courses: short distance races within the BCYC Racing Buoy Course, long distance races 20+ nm in length that sail to the outer bay, and one night race to Tawas. PHRF handicapping is used. Race results are posted after the race online. Season awards are presented at the year-end BCYC Sailing Banquet. Registration and entry fees are required.

Great Lakes Multihull Championship Regatta

During August of each year, the BCYC looks forward to hosing the Great Lakes Multi Hull Championship Regatta. This regatta draws some of the best multihull sailors in the Midwest and frequently draws national competitors as well.

BCYC Lightning Regatta

BCYC is home to International Lightning Class Association Fleet 216. Fleet 216 hosts an annual invitational regatta as part of the Michigan Lightning District traveling schedule.

For information on Fleet 216 or Lightning One Design racing, visit http://www.fleet216.com

Last updated 5:15pm on 27 March 2024

© 2024 Bay City Yacht Club powered by Sailing Club Manager