PORT TOWNSEND — The 2018 sailboat racing season opens Saturday with a race for the hearty, the 27th annual Shipwrights’ Regatta, a regional tradition sponsored by the Northwest Maritime Center and Wooden Boat Foundation.
Boats of all construction are welcome. The entry fee is $40.
“It’s a crazy, spirited race,” said Barb Trailer, one of the organizers. “It’s for the hearty, not for the weak.”
“So far, we have 13 boats entered. To race in the snow and freezing temps, that’s not a bad participation level. We’ll have more sign-ups the day of the event.”
As always, the race is open to folks who would like to try sailboat racing but do not have a boat themselves.
Non-boat owners are encouraged to show up at the Skippers’ Meeting at 9 a.m. in the Weissblum Heritage Building — the yellow building — at the maritime center at 431 Water St., to be connected with skippers looking for crew.
Last-minute registrations will be accepted between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. Saturday.
Complimentary coffee will be provided courtesy of Sunrise Coffee.
“We encourage those who want to be part of this to come by and participate,” Trailer said. “We want to give people a chance to get out on the water and experience sailing, no matter the weather.”
The race will begin at noon on Port Townsend Bay. An award ceremony and refreshments are planned upstairs in the maritime center at about 5 p.m.
A free haul-out will be awarded to two lucky sailors, courtesy of SEA Marine and the Port of Port Townsend.
New this year is the Regatta Bar located upstairs at the Maritime Center where watchers can enjoy a drink, see the race and stay warm.
Registration forms are available upstairs at the maritime center, and online at nwmaritime.org/shipwrights.
For more information about registration, contact Barb Trailer barb@nwmaritime.org.
