With short courses, we normally get in at least 4 starts, allowing every experienced sailor on board the chance to start and steer for at least one face. Students who have completed Basic Keelboat are qualified to skipper. Naturally, skippers are responsible for any damage to the boat.

The races will be canceled if winds are over 20 knots (18 knots in the winter, when the colder, denser air has more force), or if it is raining. The cost is $40 per person, and includes post-race pizza and cold drinks in the summer, hot cocoa and snacks in the winter! Free for all Members. Non-members pay $40 per person, or $120 for each 8-race series. There are no refunds for canceled races, if you sign up for a series. Out of 8 races,

several will be canceled for weather related reasons. You may call us at 203-838-1110 or 203 981 3590 (Martin), 203 981 5075 (Wendy) or 203 952 3590 (Sven)for updated info.

Spring Frostbiting Series
Spring Frostbiting runs March through April. Race times are every Sunday from 12:30 am to 2:30 pm.

Summer Racing Series
In the summer, our very popular Tuesday Evening Racing runs June to August. Boats leave the dock at 6:00 pm, with the first race starting at 6:15. Since we race close to the dock, you can jump on a boat at any point up to the last race.

Fall Frostbiting Series
Fall Frostbiting runs in November and December. Race times are 12:30 to 2:30 pm. Our New Year's regatta runs on January 1st. You can be one of the first ones out on the Sound! We may also cruise out to Sheffield Island to see the seals if it is low tide.

See you out there!

J44 Racing

Does the thrill of competing in a fleet of large, beautiful yachts interest you? Want to enjoy high-level, big-boat racing with experienced coaches / teachers? Do you want to learn more about racing, become a better sailor, with the opportunity to master each of the many tasks on a racing yacht, from spinnaker trimming to driving?

Unlike crewing on regular race boats, you'll rotate through different positions, including some time on the helm. No screaming skippers on Monhegan, just enjoyable and exciting racing. Our goal is to learn and have a great time. Finally, you'll enjoy post race parties at beautiful clubs or on private yachts. It's great fun, and a great learning experience. If you stay on board, the daily charge is $30 for a pilot berth in the main salon, $40 for the port aft cabin, $60 for the starboard aft cabin, and $80 for the forward stateroom.

Newport or Marion to Bermuda Race
On even years (2006, 2008) this is the one of the three major ocean races in the world (the others being the Sydney/Hobart race and the Fastnet race), the Newport Bermuda Yacht Race. Generally a 4-day race towards the end of June (around the same time as the Block Island Race Week), the Newport Bermuda is almost three different races. First is a coastal conditions race out to the Gulf Stream. Naturally, the waves often build as you head offshore, and the first night out is generally cold.

Next is the Gulf Steam segment with its strong currents, warm waters, and frequent storms. In this segment, entering and exiting the Gulf Stream at the optimum locations are often key factors. Finally, there is the drag race through the tropical Atlantic Ocean to Bermuda. Bermuda is a wondrous sight after 3-5 days at sea, and you will never appreciate it more!

Although we have not won yet, we have always been in the top places 24-48 hours out, so we know we are fast. Once in the stream, the Bermuda Race becomes a gamble, and positions change frequently, In 2006, we ended up in the middle of the pack, after being in the lead or close to it for the first 2 days. We'll be back! http://www.bermudarace.com

On odd years (2007, 2009, 2011), the Marion / Bermuda Yacht Race runs from Marion MA to Bermuda. This is traditionally a cruising yacht race, and is not intended for all out racing boats. Only cruising spinnakers are allowed. Otherwise, the comments about the Newport Bermuda also apply to the Marion. Bermuda. Another great race. http://www.marionbermuda.com

Block Island Race Week
Late June (see www.blockislandraceweek.com)

Block Island Race Week is the premier NE racing event, with several hundred competitors. We probably will rent a house on the Island, and split the cost among the members. Cost to stay on the boat is $40 a night (J44 members can stay onboard for free). We prefer to have as few people onboard as possible, to keep the boat light. Thursday, we will have a pre-race prep day, cleaning the bottom, taking off extra gear, and getting the racing sails on. We will also try to get in some practice sails that evening.

Monhegan will leave Norwalk prior to the event. Race members are welcome on board. On Saturday, at 3:00 pm, we will pick up crew members from Noank Shipyard. Click here for directions.

Caribbean Racing
Caribbean Racing events are mostly 3-day-long weekend races, with great parties at the end of each day. The racing starts at the end of February, and continues on through April. We charge $600 for non-members and $480 for members for 3 days of racing and 1 day of Practice. For one-week events like Antigua race week, we charge $980 for non-members, $780 for members. If you have raced on Monhegan within the last year, you will pay 20% less.

For information on all Caribbean Racing events, check out
http://www.caribbeanracing.com or http://www.caribbeancompass.com

Here's a run down on the major events, with dates.
Feb 15-172007 St Croix CORT. First of the three CORT (Caribbean Ocean Racing Triangle) races. http://www.stcroixyc.com

March 1-4 2007 St Maarten Heineken Regatta. A very large, international regatta. Typically over 200 boats from 31 countries. http://www.heinekenregatta.com

Mar 23-25 2007 St Thomas Rolex Cup Regatta. One of the oldest Caribbean regatta's. Monhegan has entered for the last 4 years. Our favorite. http://www.rolexcupregatta.com

Mar 30 - April 1st 2007 BVI Spring Regatta. A week long event is also run, starting 3 days ealier. Lots of charter boats, fairly low key. www.bvispringregatta.org