Lightning Fleet 121

Serious competition on the Merrimack River, Newburyport, MA

Fleet 121 has been the host of the New England District Championships in 2001 and 2003. As one of the growing Lightning fleets in New England, it is host to almost 20 boats with an active racing schedule that begins in May and does not stop until October. Fleet 121 sails in the waters just off of the American Yacht Club, in a tidal basin known as the Joppa Flats. All Lightnings are welcome to participate in fleet races. We also host the Brian Hughes Regatta, one of the biggest Lightning regattas in all of New England.

About the Lightning sailboat...

"It was indeed a good design. By intent, and yet somewhat fortuitously to judge from the reported misgivings at Sparkman and Stephens when they realized the success of their brainchild after it had been turned over, no strings, to the class organization.

"The boat is a normal sailor with no bad characteristics. It has perfect balance, an easy entry, and a clean run. It does not drag the transom if an extra passenger or two come aboard. It does not submarine before the wind or broach in a gibe. It rounds up in a puff, carries its sails in a blow, yet slips along easily in a calm. Your hand is not glued to the tiller for fear of an instant luff. It is rigged and operated much the same as larger boats and is widely known as a crew trainer. But there is more to the boat than its sailing characteristics. Its size and stability tend to bring more and more people into the class.

"Success in racing is not confined to the very young, very strong, very heavy or to the very rich. Being nobody's monopoly, the Lightning has always been popular among the keenest of the boatbuilders and sailmakers. These are the so-called professionals who in fact differ from the rest of us only in being blithe spirits who refuse to take up an occupation but try to make a living from their hobby! They are sharp, charming, tough on the race course, quick with a helping hand and slow to protest! You cannot beat them often but what a thrill when you do! A class without them must be dull indeed. The presence of these plus an ever growing pride of man eating amateurs has made the racing marvelously competitive. Among our contenders are established champions from most of the other classes. That they come or return to the Lightning wars proves their love of fair racing. No doubt there are still other class champions too timorous to switch! There have been some whose expertise, so apparent in lesser classes, left them in midfleet in the Lightnings. This can wound the tender ego and sometimes lead to carping and nit-picking."

-- from Why a Lightning by Cully Cobb

2008 Race Schedule

These are one-class races. If you have a Lightning and would like to participate, please contact Sean Fagan at 978-317-2810 or sailteam@net1plus.com

The Lightening class racing takes place throughout the spring, summer and fall seasons. Ours are some of the largest and most competitive races on the east coast.

2008 Schedule

Saturday 21 June 11:30 M
Sunday 22 June 12:00 PM
Saturday 19 July 10:30 AM (Brian Hughes Invitational)
Sunday 20 July 11:00 AM (Brian Hughes Invitational)
Saturday 16 August 10:30AM
Sunday 17 August 11:00 AM
Saturday 20 September 2:00 PM

Times Listed for all series are on-the-water race start times. Please be there on time!

Races are open to club members, members of other yacht clubs and the public in general. You must provide your own boat and be on time for the beginning of the race.

Please make yourself aware of all racing rules, including safety requirements.

This page was updated 2008-05-27 18:32:44 by Tom Lochhaas, Editor, Regatta Committee