Adult Program Racing


CBI offers many opportunities for adults to hone their boat handling
skills through competition and learn the racing rules and strategy through classes.

Introduction to Racing Classes

Intro to Racing Class Descriptions and Blurb

Racing Resources and Opportunities

Introduction to Racing (Session 1 of a 3 session series)
Thursday at 7 PM (in rotation with Sessions 2 and 3)
This 1 ½ hour classroom presentation breaks down what happens in a sailboat race,
step by step—no previous racing experience required! The class explains possible
racecourses, the starting sequence, and the different legs of the course, and will give you
some beginning racing strategies. This 3 session series of classes is geared for beginning
skippers, crews, and people who want to team up to race together. After taking this class,
you’ll be ready to skipper at informal Friday night racing and/or to crew for Sunday
Tiller Club racing.
Prerequisites: Solo rating. You should understand the basic rules: starboard/port, leeward/windward, and clear ahead/clear astern.

Basic Racing Rules (Session 2 of a 3 session series)
Thursday at 7 PM (in rotation with Sessions 1 and 3)
This 1 ½ hour classroom presentation, designed to follow Session 1 (Introduction to
Racing), explains the basic rules boats need to follow in a race, using everyday language.
It covers the start, mark roundings, and situations you’ll encounter on each leg of the
race. This class will get you ready to skipper informal Friday night racing and Sunday
Second Wave afternoon racing, teamed up with another beginning racer. After some onthe-
water practice and continued rules study, you’ll be ready to take the written test for
your Tiller Club Racing Skipper rating.
Prerequisites: Solo rating. Introduction to Racing class, if you don’t have any previous
racing experience. You should understand the basic rules: starboard/port, leeward/
windward, and clear ahead/clear astern.

Basic Racing Strategy (Session 3 of a 3 session series)
Thursday at 7 PM (in rotation with Sessions 1 and 2)
This 1 ½ hour classroom presentation, the final session in a 3-session series, is a great
next step if you know the material in Sessions 1 and 2, have tried racing a few times, and
want to improve your game. You will learn basic racing strategies to try out on the race
course: starting and mark rounding techniques, responding to wind shifts, positioning
yourself in relation to other boats, and more. After this class, some on-the-water practice,
and continued rules study, you’ll be ready to take the written test for your Tiller Club
Racing Skipper rating.
Prerequisites: Solo rating. Introduction to Racing and Basic Racing Rules classes, or
previous racing experience and a general understanding of the racing rules.

Sunday Morning Racing


You are invited to participate in organized races on Sunday mornings on the Charles River in Mercuries and Rhodes 19's. There are 3 seasonal series as well as numerous single day regattas throughout the season. Race on as many days as you like. Awards and trophies are given to the winning boat(s). Have a boat rigged by 10:00am to register for the racing that day, skippers meeting is at 10:15am. CBI's Tiller Club collects $5/boat to cover the cost of trophies and other expenses.

Skippers interested in Sunday races should have a basic knowledge of the Racing Rules of Sailing. Each boat requires a helmsperson and crew. You can come with your own crew, or find someone on the dock Sunday morning. Skippers can also post a notice on the CBI Racing Forum to look for crew.

Both novice and experienced crew are always welcome. Come before the skipper's meeting and we will do our best to match you up with a skipper. Also check the CBI Racing Forum before Sunday to see if a skipper is looking for crew.

See the Tiller Club home page for a calendar of events, the sailing instructions, and more information. However, the best way to get involved is to come to the boathouse Sunday mornings and see what the races are all about.
 

Tiller Club

The Tiller Club is CBI's organized racing group. They sponsor racing on Sunday mornings on the Charles River in Community Boating's Mercuries and Rhodes 19's. There are 3 seasonal series as well as numerous trophy events throughout the season.

The Tiller Club charges a nominal fee for all participants to cover the cost of administrative duties and trophies. Whether you are an experienced racer or a novice, the Tiller Club extends a warm welcome. The best way to get involved is to come to the boathouse Sunday mornings and see what the races are all about.

Tiller Club Events

Tiller Club Officers

Sunday 2nd Wave Racing


A less experienced racer? The Tiller Club's Sunday 2nd Wave racing is intended for new skippers. Rig your boat and be ready to go on the water by 11:30. Sail either single handed or with a crew, mainsail and jib or mainsail only. There is no entry fee.

2nd Wave racing also follows the Racing Rules of Sailing but is intended to be a learning environment. We will periodically offer short seminars on rules and tactics, before or after the 2nd Wave races. Check the Tiller Club for the current seminar schedule.

Friday Night Informal Racing


Learn to race in a fun and friendly environment in Mercuries every Friday evening starting at 5:30 PM. Sail by yourself or with a crew, full rig or Main only. Scores don't matter here, as the goal is just to get people enjoying racing on the water. Throughout the season the Tiller Club sponsors racing seminars after the Friday night racing. Ask for details at the Dock House.

Tuesday Team Racing


April through September on Tuesday nights, CBI sponsors informal team racing in our fleet of Mercuries. Come alone or bring a team! Racing begins at 5:30, and the boats have to be back on the dock by sunset.

Tuesday Hi-Performance Racing


June through August, CBI will be running informal fleet racing on Tuesday nights in Lasers and 420s. Racing starts at 5:30PM, and racers must return to the dock by sunset. If the fleets are small, Lasers and 420s will start together.

Thursday Windsurfing Racing

June through August, CBI will be running informal fleet racing on Thursday nights for windsurfers. Racing starts at 5:30PM, and racers must return to the dock by sunset. CBI's new fleet of 6 Bic T-293s should provide fun racing for all, and competitive racing for those who are looking for it. If the whole fleet of 293s is out, other racers will be sent out in hi-flys and/or ferried out to the race committee boat to rotate in.