Classic Yacht Challenge Series heads to Maine with Boothbay Harbor and Camden Regattas

Classic Yacht Challenge Series © Keith P. Luke

The summer classic sailing season has taken over the waters of the Gulf of Maine recently, with last weekend's Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club Regatta and Shipyard Cup and the upcoming Camden Classics Cup, both events in the CYOA's Classic Yacht Challenge Series (CYCS).

"BHYC Regatta and Shipyard Cup is the first of CYCS's Maine regattas, and is known for its fun atmosphere, exhilarating sailing, and involvement of the local community. The Camden Classics Cup is a celebration of classic yachting and the area's maritime heritage," CYOA Board Chair Timmy Dittrich. "Both events provide thrilling competition and are truly a highlight of the CYCS calendar every year."

"We bring together competitors from throughout New England for some unique racing around the islands in the picturesque Boothbay region," added regatta organizer Charlie Willauer. "We had fabulous racing conditions on both Saturday and Sunday with a cohort of classic yachts competing for the Shipyard Cup."

Classic Yacht Challenge Series - photo © Keith P. Luke

Last weekend, CYOA members Joyce Jones' Lucy, a 1966 K. Aage Nielsen 26 foot sloop, and Black Watch, skippered by Joe Robilard on the 1938 Sparkman & Stephens 67.75-foot yawl, took the top spots in their respective classes. Only one point back from Lucy, was Paul Koch's rebuilt B.B. Crowninshield 28 Ponyo. (Full Results)

"Boothbay is always a fun regatta. This year we had one day of calm and one day requiring a reef," said Koch. "Now we head for Camden where they have the largest fleet of small classics on the CYOA circuit. It's great to race against so many boats similar to mine."

When asked what makes the Camden Classics Cup so special, one of the race organizers Holly Paterson told us, "the [regatta] welcomes a large variety of vessels and classes to our regatta. In addition to participation from Camden's local windjammer fleet, the CCC welcomes an impressive fleet of pedigreed and modern classics—many from our very own midcoast Maine boatbuilders."

Racing in the Camden Classics Cup begins in the afternoon of Friday, July 25 and runs through Saturday, July 26. The regatta also features a number of onshore social events throughout the weekend and the famous Parade of Sail on Saturday morning. More information on the regatta can be found at CamdenClassicsCup.com or check out the Scratch Sheet.

Results and standings for the 2025 CYCS can be found on the CYOA website. Stay tuned for more updates from the series!

More on the BHYC Regatta here.