Category Archives: 2022 Narragansett Bay Racing

2022 ‘Round The Hog S/I’s

2022 Sea Sprite Race Around Hog Island

Sailing Instructions

  1. Rules

This fun race will be governed by the Racing Rules of Sailing 2021-2024, class rules, as well was good and prudent seamanship.  There is no protest committee.  A BYC race committee will start the race, but finishers must take their own finish order.

2.  Schedule of Races

The first warning sound will be at 1:00 PM for one race on Saturday, September 10, 2021.  A fleury of sound signals will be made approximately one minute before the first warning signal.

3.  The Course

The course will be around Hog Island either clockwise or counterclockwise to be determined and announced on Channel 71 by the Race Committee.  In the event of extremely light air, the course may be shortened to a rounding of a single aid to navigation (either Bristol Point RN “2” or Poppasquash Point RB”1” left to port) in consultation with all racers on channel 71.

4.  The Start and Finish

The starting line and the finishing line will be located just south of the mooring area of Bristol Harbor.  The marks for start/finish line will be two inflatable buoys or the Middle Ground permanent buoy and an orange inflatable. The start will be horn signals provided by the Race Committee. The starting sequence will consist of a pre-warning series of 5 short blasts followed in approximately 1 to 2 minutes by one long blast at 5 minutes to start, at 4 minutes to start, at 1 minute to start, and at the start. Boats are responsible for thanking their own finishing time/order.  There may be no RC boat at the finishing line.

5.  All racers will stay tuned to and communicate on Channel 71.  No check in is required.

6.  Areas that Are Obstructions

The areas between the following aids to navigation and the adjacent land are obstructions at all times and must not be crossed.  (If either RN “2” off Bristol Point or RB “1” off Poppasquash Point are used as a rounding mark for a shortened course, the rounding should be close, and the area of obstruction exited soon as possible.  In the event of a shortened course, either of these marks should be left to port).

Castle Island Beacon north of Hog Island

Hog Island shoal light southeast of Hog Island

C “3” east of Hog Island

RN “2” south of Bristol Point

RN “2” south of Hog Island

RB “1” off Poppasquash Point

C “3” Usher’s Cove

7.  Corrections

Any corrections to these SI’s will be emailed to racers by 1700 on the Friday before the event and announced on channel 71 on the day of the race.  Questions and comments may be addressed to Dom Messerli at dom.messerli@me.com

2022 ‘Round The Hog NOR

2022 Sea Sprite Race Around Hog Island

Notice of Race

Saturday, September 10, 2022, 1:00pm

Organizing Authority:  Bristol Yacht Club and the Sea Sprite Association

Rules: This is a fun race governed by the Racing Rules of Sailing 2021-2024, and the Sea Sprite Association Class Rules.  There is no protest committee.  The start of the race will be conducted by the RC of the Bristol Yacht Club.  Racers will take their own finishing order.

Two large inflatable buoys will mark the start and finish lines.  The Race Committee also reserves the option to use the Middle Ground Buoy and an orange inflatable as a start/finish line.  

The race will be either clockwise or counterclockwise, depending upon the wind direction. The direction of the race will be announced by the Race Committee on Channel 71 prior to the warning signal the day of the race.  

Eligibility and Entries:  Entrants must be current members of the Sea Sprite Association for 2022.  There will be no entry fee.

There will be a post-race gathering immediately following at the Bristol Yacht Club.  The bar will be available.  Food will be furnished by the Sea Sprite Association.

Classes to race:  Sea Sprite 23 daysailer and weekender models.

The race will begin at 1300.  Race announcements will be announced on Channel 71.  

The fastest Sea Sprite skipper will be awarded the Mr. Hog Trophy to be held for one year.  

If you plan on racing, please send an email to Dom Messerli at dom.messerli@me.com so we will know how many boats will be racing. For further information regarding the race contact:  Dom Messerli at dom.messerli@me.com

‘Round The Hog on September 10th

One of our most fun event, the annual Around Hog Island Race is set for September 10 this year. Traditionally a fun event, the race begins off Herreshoff Marine Museum in Bristol Harbor and is set around Hog Island with a return to the finish line also off HMM. Bring the family, the kids, your spouse, your pets for a fun sail in the afternoon followed by a post-race gathering at Bristol YC. Some food will be provided and the bar will be open for beverages.

Here is the announcement from Dom, our race chair:

Hello Sea Sprite Sailors!

Only three weeks to go until you can participate in our famous, annual, fun Sea Sprite race around Hog Island!

We have already received a good amount of interest and really look forward to seeing you all out there. Be on the look out for the NOR’s and SI’s to be sent to you and published on the Sea Sprite Association Website in the near future. Mark your calendar, Saturday September 10th, 1pm! 

If you plan on participating, please send me an email and I will make sure to add you to the starting list.

We have some soft commitments from the following boats/skippers:

Whatawah/ Ben B. (I spoke to you from my kayak this weekend!)

Bramasole/Bob C. (The one to beat!)

Oasis/Bob R. (The master!)

Lulabelle/TBD (Can be available if Bob H. is out of town, email me if interested!)

New Hope/Dom M. (Always learning)

Seeker/Ian G. (Will get you a mooring if needed!)

Swallow/Jerry D. (Your boat is in awesome shape, see you soon!)

Sailaway/John H. (Let me know if you need a mooring!)

Liva/Nathan W. (All the way from Warwick, let me know if you need a mooring!)

Artemis/Ruth S. (Looking forward to seeing you having fun around the island! Come practice this and next Wednesday ;-))

Freya/ Susie H (Great meeting you this weekend, hope you can make it! Come practice this and next Wednesday ;-))

And, the winner gets to keep Mr. Hog on their mantlepiece FOR A YEAR!!!

Looking forward seeing you all out there and please let me know if you have any questions.

Again, if you are in, please send me an email at dom.messerli@me.com to let me know that you will be participating.

Big Thank You to Bob Rude to prepare the NOR and SI’s!

Happy Sailing

Dom