Tuesday Night Etchells Season Kicks Off in Falmouth

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Portland Yacht Club members know the real sign that sailing season is about to start — when docks are in, the launches are running, and weekday racing kicks off!

PYC hosts Tuesday night Etchells Fleet 27 races. Etchells Fleet 27 is one of the largest one-design fleets in Maine, with 28 boats. An Etchell is a fast, sleek, stable, 30.5-foot keelboat that bites into big breeze and digests it gracefully.

Racing consists of Tuesday Night Series and weekend spring, summer, and fall series. Races started in May and will continue until the end of summer. This past Tuesday, 17 boats raced in near-perfect weather, including a southwest wind between 7-10 knots, flat seas, and sunshine. There was the usual chaos of a crowded one-design start, with 17 boats jockeying for position. The Race Committee ran three down-and-back races, and the last race ended just before sunset. After finishing, the racers headed back to the PYC clubhouse to share stories, discuss strategy, and enjoy adult beverages.

CLICK HERE for Fleet 27 information.

MEDUSA, sailed by Seth Sprague, and FUZZY LOGIC, sailed by Rich Hubbell, cross the finish line.
MEDUSA, sailed by Seth Sprague, and FUZZY LOGIC, sailed by Rich Hubbell, cross the finish line.

Photos of Tuesday Night Etchells Season Kicks Off in Falmouth

MEDUSA, sailed by Seth Sprague, and FUZZY LOGIC, sailed by Rich Hubbell, cross the finish line.
MEDUSA, sailed by Seth Sprague, and FUZZY LOGIC, sailed by Rich Hubbell, cross the finish line.
Jockeying for the best position during the pre-race dialup.
Jockeying for the best position during the pre-race dialup.
Seventeen Etchells from Fleet 27 crossing the starting line at the start of another great Tuesday evening of racing.
Seventeen Etchells from Fleet 27 crossing the starting line at the start of another great Tuesday evening of racing.
The Portland Yacht Club race committee checks the wind and sets the race course.
The Portland Yacht Club race committee checks the wind and sets the race course.
Seventeen Etchells crossing the starting line off Falmouth Foreside.
Seventeen Etchells crossing the starting line off Falmouth Foreside.
Portland Yacht Club members Ann Blanchard and Pam Thomas man the chase boat with a little canine help.
Portland Yacht Club members Ann Blanchard and Pam Thomas man the chase boat with a little canine help.
Tim Caven, owner of TOUCH OF GREY, and his crew check in with the race committee.
Tim Caven, owner of TOUCH OF GREY, and his crew check in with the race committee.
The PYC race committee wraps up its service for the evening and heads to shore to join the festivities.
The PYC race committee wraps up its service for the evening and heads to shore to join the festivities.
The end of a gorgeous day, made even better by an evening of spirited and fun sailboat racing!
The end of a gorgeous day, made even better by an evening of spirited and fun sailboat racing!