An interview with Andy Bigham about the 2024 Rocket Intergalactics Regatta

Few designs in the sailing world are as iconic as the Sunfish, a lateen-rigged dinghy that was created in 1960 by Alcort Incorporated. Interestingly, the 13’9” Sunfish was based on the 1945 design that Alex Bryan and Cortlandt Heyniger (the founders of the Alcort company) drew for a boat called the Sailfish. While the fiberglass Sunfish was revolutionary for its time, its hull weight (120 pounds) isn’t exactly featherweight by modern standards.

Enter the Fulcrum Rocket, a longer (LOA: 16’ 9”), lighter (90 pounds), and faster version of this American classic that incorporates modern materials (for example, vacuum-infused Vinylester in the hull) into a timeless aesthetic. Other modern touches include a generous 6’3” long cockpit with a padded EVA foam-lined sole, an 81 square-foot sailplan (versus the Sunfish’s 75 square-feet of cloth), and a V-shaped undercarriage.

Not surprisingly, Fulcrum Rockets have gained a solid following, as evidenced by the entry list for the 2024 Rocket Intergalactics Regatta (August 23-25), which is being organized and hosted by the Beverly Yacht Club, in Marion, Massachusetts.

Racing will take place on the waters of Sippican Harbor and Buzzards Bay, and the event is open to all Fulcrum Rockets sporting the design’s original foils and rig.

I checked in with Andy Bigham, who serves as the BYC’s event chair for the 2024 Rocket Intergalactics Regatta, to learn more about this one-design (and possibly interstellar) event.

Can you please tell us a bit about the history of the Fulcrum Rocket class, its culture, and its geographic strongholds?

Dave Clark of Fulcrum Speedworks developed the Rocket in 2020/2021as an evolution of the most popular board boats like the Phantom and Sunfish of the 60s, 70s, and 80s.

The Rocket is a super fun little boat that has a wide appeal. It can be used as a family beach boat, a cruiser (there is a Backcountry version) and a racer.

As new as the Rocket is, the culture is still developing. Clearly though this is a low-risk, high-reward boat that new sailors and experienced hands alike can jump on and have a great time.

Fleets have been building in the Northeast in Marion, Massachusetts, Sag Harbor, New York and Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire, with additional interest nationally in areas such as Florida, Texas, Minnesota, and internationally with boats shipping to Australia and Sweden.

What kind of competition levels can someone expect at the Rocket Intergalactics?

We anticipate that that the competitors will represent a diverse range of skill levels, from those who never raced dinghies before last fall up to at least one Olympian. It is a wide-open event with something for every level of sailor.

Weather-wise, what kind conditions can sailors expect to encounter on Sippican Harbor and Buzzards Bay in late August? Also, Buzzards Bay has a reputation for delivering choppy waters—how do Fulcrum Rockets generally handle these conditions?

Yes, Buzzards Bay is one of the premier keel-boat racing grounds and does enjoy a well-deserved reputation for exhilarating sou-westerlies and choppy seas. However, the Intergalactics will be taking place in the north end of outer Sippican Harbor, which is well protected from those conditions and is an excellent venue for dinghy racing.

How big of a role do you see local knowledge playing on the Intergalactics racecourse? Also, any advice to visiting (or local) sailors?

We don’t see local knowledge being an advantage. In fact, because the prevailing winds are so steady, we have found that visiting sailors often have an advantage when we are experiencing shifty conditions.

What kind of course shapes do you expect the RC will set? Are we talking about windward-leewards, triangles, or perhaps courses that utilize islands or local geography?

The courses will be predominantly windward-leeward. However, if the winds are favorable, we may add a reaching leg on some races to take advantage of the Rocket’s exhilarating off-the-wind performance.

What kind of shoreside events do you and the other organizers have planned?

Racing and rigging will take place at the Beverly Yacht Club, Marion, Massachusetts from Friday (August 23) through Sunday (August 25). Coffee and doughnuts will be available each morning before racing. We will be hosting a cocktail party at BYC post racing Friday.

On Saturday, we are having dinner at the home of a local club member. This event will be accessible either from shore or the club launch.

Can you tell us about any efforts that you and the other regatta organizers have made to try to lower the regatta’s environmental footprint or otherwise green-up the regatta?

The Beverly Yacht Club and our Green Team are committed to green initiatives, some of which include: the elimination of single-use plastics, [the use of] water refilling stations in the clubhouse and on the water, a dedicated recycling dumpster, and new solar panels on the clubhouse.

Is there anything else that you’d like to add about this year’s Rocket Intergalactics Regatta, for the record?

The Intergalactics will be all about the simplicity and pure fun of racing small boats, and then gathering ashore to laugh with friends about what a great time you are having. The Beverly Yacht Club is a beautiful racing venue [that’s] well-prepared for this event. We will be having good clean fun, with great people.