It's nearly time for the 57th run of this wonderful Manchester Classic, the S.S. Crocker Memorial Race, a 12-mile race in the waters between Baker’s Island and Eastern Point, Gloucester. Sponsored jointly by the Manchester Yacht Club and the Manchester Harbor Boat Club, it is a sailing event for skippers with little racing experience, as well as the seasoned racer. Come and enjoy the friendly atmosphere, excitement of competition and a great after-race party.
The Crocker is a pursuit race, with the smaller boats starting first and the bigger boats starting later. Theoretically, because of the handicap, everyone should finish close together, rather than spread out. The course is a simple triangle, starting at Gales Ledge off House Island and rounding marks at Eastern Point and Newcomb’s Ledge, before returning to Gales.
Last year the Race was won by a Star Class boat, a 112-year-old design that was sailed by Luke Buxton and his daughter Evelyn. At only 24 feet long, it crossed the line ahead of the entire fleet, including the largest boat, the 43-foot “Pressure Drop” in Class A.
The post-race party on the MYC deck is legendary, and boats from Marblehead or Gloucester may be able to pick up a mooring or find space on the MYC dock to join in, rather than head back to their home port and miss the revelry.
Interested skippers should sign up on Regattaman (regattaman.com) and may want to attend the Crocker Race cookout and skippers’ meeting at 6 p.m. on Friday, July 12 at Crocker’s Boat Yard.
Tony Leggett is the S.S. Crocker Race Committee chair. For information and details, email him at anthonyleggett76@gmail.com
