Welcome to the Regatta Promotions Sailing Marketing Blog

Regatta Promotions is now working with Keith Luke, our photographer extraordinaire, and we have many of his photos available through our website. He will be with us this summer getting all the great shots and we will bring you all the pictures from the events in 2008. We now have galleries from the MS Regatta, the Shipyard Cup Regatta, the Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club Regatta and the New York Yacht Club Cruise in Boothbay Harbor from previous years. Within each gallery, there are sub albums sorted by boat, which will eliminate the endless search through thousands of pictures to find what you are looking for. You can find the MS gallery here, the Shipyard Cup here, the Boothbay Harbor Regatta here and the NYYC Cruise here.

Here are a few to enjoy:

We are now carrying the Regatta Pro Starting System for Race Committee Supplies in our online store. The system takes away all of the human error that can occur when people are trying to get sound blasts off during a starting sequence. While serving Race Committee duties, I have wrestled with a shotgun and not been able to get the blasts off at the right time, at which point you abandon the sequence and start again. This is embarrassing, not to mention a waste of the racers time. We will have them in stock next week and will be writing a review on the product once we test it out. This summer, the Portland Yacht Club will be using the system for their events, thanks to a donation from the local J-24 Fleet 43. If you have ever raced in an event that uses this system, let us know how you liked it from the racing perspective. If you would like to know where to get your own Regatta Pro Start System, follow this link Regatta Pro Start.

Yale Cordage is back at it again! They have recently re-dedicated themselves to the marine market, developing some new and interesting lines. We recently got our hands on some of this new experimental product which we used at the BVI Spring Regatta on the IC 24 we were sailing. The product was built with a spectra/dynema core with a new Maxi-Jacket HP coating with their new “Wave” cover. The real development here is the “Wave” cover with a strong core. The cover is built to have a very soft hand that matches well with the core which makes a line that performs well in every condition.

We found the line to be very stiff and kinky when we first received it and were a bit sceptical about how it would perform. However, we soaked the line and roughed it up a bit by working four foot sections of the line through a ratchet block. After this initial break-in the line was perfect – soft and flowing but strong enough to handle high loads.

We used the line for the main, spinnaker and jib sheets. The conditions over three days were 35 to 20 knots and big waves. With only a four to one on the main sheet the line was under constant stress and work. The mainsheet trimmer was very pleased with the line as well as the driver. The line doesn’t absorb too much water and stays light.

We will continue to use this line which should hit stores this fall. We will keep you posted on an acutal release date and how it will wear over the summer. Stay tuned!

Today is the first day of spring and for boaters in the North that means one thing. Preparation! Time to get the boat ready for another season. As the saying goes winning is 90% preparation 10% execution. Stay tuned over the next four weeks or so for the best tips for preparing your boat for battle. Our tips will include helpful information for both sailors and race officers that want to improve their performance.

Today’s tip is for Race Officers. Check you inventory now before its too late and your using a bed sheet to make an “S” flag. Our Race Committee Supplies page has a great check list to make sure you have everything you need to run a race. Obviously check the big items. Do you have all the code flags. Inflate your marks and check for leaks. Organize your anchors and tackle with each mark. Horns, VHF, GPS, extra batteries etc… are all items you can check now and reduce the amount of running around with a week to go before your big event.

Race Officers, need some missing equipment? Want to upgrade your flags and marks? Check out our race committee supplies page where you will find links to an on-line store with all the flags and marks you might need. You can order right on-line or give us a call and help you pick just the right product.

Hint: Purchase the larger tetrahedron marks with a clear pouch on each side to put an image of your club burgee or your title sponsor. This will help recruit sponsors and make your event look more professional.

So it’s still February and for most of us in the US that means cold winter. What can keep us motivated and interested in sailing all winter long? – other than reading this blog? Sailing Movies! Check out the list of my Top ten and answer the poll (scroll down the screen to see the answers) and let us know which is your favorite. You don’t agree with any of my answers, well I guess that’s ok just add your answer to the list. Also validate your pick by posting your comments to this blog entry right here! So what’s my number one pick? Dead Calm – great thriller, cool boat, explosions, blood, and decent sailing scenes. For sailing/racing authenticity I love Drum, which is about a maxi boat that capsized during the Fastnet race – losing its keel and then went on to place respectively in the Whitbread Race. Drum also has a good sound track by Simon LeBond of Duran Duran fame who is also the narrator. So many movies it’s hard to choose. There are many more that 10 sailing movies, want to know what they are? Check out this list that rates each movie and also gives a good brief description:

Nautical Movies

This exact boat will be sailing in Maine raced by Jon Randall with family and crew during the GMORA circuit. His competitors – Frers 41, Beneteau 367, Farr 39, Flying Tiger 10M, Tripp 41, Andrews 36 will be chomping at the bit to cross tacks.

The boat is pictured here with a super fast carbon wheel. Sorry Jon dealer says its just for show, although the actual wheel will be larger in diameter. The interior is cool with ultra-leather and nice wood trim. Not sure the line package will last long. Sta-Set for main and genoa sheets might be too stretchy. Anyways a cool-fast boat that is sure to be fun to watch and sail.

Saw three interesting boats at the NE boatshow are great for racers or cruiser/racers.  Also there were only 10 or so booths that  were appealing for sailors, less if you weren’t interested in new sails.  The photo above is a J-100 which obviously has been on the racing scene for a while but is still cool.  The rating in PHRF is favorable and the boat is super quick and comfortable.  This boat has lifelines though which isn’t standard and I prefer the boat without.