Types of races we offer

Types of race, by boat classification

• Dinghy races: Defined as boats less than 20 feet and having a centerboard or daggerboard. Usually held on Sundays, launch from Bow to Stern or the wildlife ramp, races are around-the-buoys which is described below. The two class types in our dinghy races are:
• • One-design: A one-design boat is part of a racing class where all boats are similar in design and are built to the same specifications. They all have the same handicap and whoever crosses the finish line first wins. ​Through the years, we have had various one-design classes including Lasers and Sunfish. Currently, we have a very competitive and active Sunfish fleet. If at least three one-design boats race, they get their own start sequence. Scoring for a one-design fleet uses the Low Point Averaged System.
  • Open class: Dinghies that have only one or two representatives are in an open class. They all start together and scoring is based on Portsmouth Handicap ratings.
• PHRF races: Boats must be at least 20 feet long. To enable different boat designs to compete against each other, boats are assigned a handicap rating. There are several systems for handicaps, and for these races ODC uses PHRF. See How and why to get a PHRF rating. These are usually held on Saturdays on the river. Some of our PHRF races are around-the-buoys and some are distance, and both of these are described below.
• Radio-controlled Laser racing: The radio-controlled Laser is a scale version of the famous one design Laser, the most popular "real boat" sailing class in the world. For more information see Radio Control.

Types of race, by race format

• Around the buoys: All the boats in a class start at the same time and go around buoys placed by the race committee. We try to do three or four races for each class. The classes are:
• • Spinnaker: Mostly the spinnaker class is made up of Etchells.
  • JAM (jib-and-main): If we have a lot of JAM boats we divide into JAM A and JAM B based on PHRF rating, and they have separate starts.
  • Multihull if three or more multihull boats are present.
• Distance, or pursuit: Each boat has her own start time based on her PHRF rating, which is more relaxing for beginner racers than around-the-buoys. The course is long so there’s only one race per day. The course is usually a mixture of ODC buoys and government marks. Read the sailing instructions carefully.

Differences between a regatta and a club race, Oriental-style

In Oriental we have two competitive regattas a year: the Dragon’s Breath and the Oriental Cup. The ODC sponsors the Dragon’s Breath and the Nautical Co-op of Oriental sponsors the Oriental Cup. A third regatta held on New Year’s Day, the Instead of Football regatta, is not competitive and although many in the ODC sail in it, the ODC doesn’t operate it so it’s not part of this site. Nevertheless we encourage you to participate in it.

What about Wednesday Night Racing (WNR)?

WNR is neither a regatta nor a club race. Sailing communities on both US coasts traditionally have informal races on Wednesday nights. ODC member Joe Valinoti organizes WNR in Oriental. It’s a great way to get the hang of the PHRF start sequence if you’re considering racing. WNR usually runs during daylight savings time. We recommend checking TownDock for start time and instructions.