We’re getting ready for 2026 SARW. How about you?
*****

April 11th – April 18th 2026
2026 Notice of Race – Offshore Series
2026 NOTICE OF RACE
Offshore Series
April 16th, 17th & 18th 2026
(Revised 12.24.2025)
2026 NOTICE OF RACE
Offshore Series
The St. Augustine Race Week Regatta includes Offshore and Inshore Sailing with the historic city of St. Augustine as the focal point. There will be three days of Offshore Racing, with courses about 30 minutes from most St. Augustine Marinas. Races will be held on April 16th, 17th & 18th 2026. Performance class racing will include multiple W/L &/or triangle offsets (Mariners Triangles). Cruiser class races will include the Conquistador’s Corner (to and from a prescribed intersection of latitude and longitude), and Menendez Meander (out from the coastline to the north and to the south).
Inshore Races will be held April 14th & 15th 2026 north of the Vilano Bridge. (See In-shore NOR)
An associated Youth Regatta will be held April 11th & 12th 2026 in Salt Run. (See Youth Regatta NOR)
An associated RS Aero Regatta (separate NoR/SI) will also be held Saturday and Sunday, April 11th & 12th 2026 off the downtown Bayfront quay.
Race Week includes live entertainment, drinks, and food downtown by the Municipal Marina. The final Awards Party will be held Saturday evening, April 18th 2026 at the St. Augustine Yacht Club.
The Offshore Competitors’ Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 15th 2026 @ 1900 hours at the St. Augustine Yacht Club.
1 RULES First Coast Sailing Association (FCSA) is the Organizing Authority for St. Augustine Race Week. The Regatta shall be governed by the current “Racing Rules of Sailing” (https://sailjax.com/Racing-Rules-of-Sailing.pdf) (RRS) as amended by the US Sailing Prescriptions; the PHRF rules of the FCSA (https://www.sailjax.com); as amended by this NOR, and the SI; and class rules for any One-Design class established.
2 ADVERTISING Comply with current World Sailing Regulation 20: https://www.sailing.org/inside-world-sailing/rules-regulations/racing-rules-of-sailing/
3 FEES Discounted Early Registration $287.55 (including tax) ends April 10th 2026. The Offshore Regatta Regular Fee of $319.50 incl. tax covers 3 days of racing; 4 Event Passes for Thursday and Friday including drink tickets; 2 Awards Dinner Tickets, and a Skipper’s Bag with regatta hat and shirt, local discount coupons and other items. The Fee after April 11 is $372.75. Withdrawals after 4/15 forfeit $100; after 4/16 no refund. Entries after March 24 are subject to the discretion of the Race Committee. Additional awards dinner tickets may be purchased for $30.
4 ELIGIBILITY AND ENTRY
4.1 The Offshore Series is open to all seaworthy self-righting cruising sailboats that are not less than 24 feet in length. Smaller boats not less than 20 feet may be eligible on an individual basis at the discretion of the Race Committee. Non-seaworthy sailboats, and those 32 feet or less are eligible for Inshore Racing.
4.2 The designated skipper shall be 21 years of age or older.
4.3 Minimum crew size shall be 2 (including skipper).
4.4 All One Design Classes shall comply with the maximum crew numbers in their class rules.
4.5 There will be no restriction on crew changes between races. Children aged 14 and under will not count as crew.
4.6 Modifying RRS Appendix G, a yacht should have identifying symbols on each mainsail, spinnaker, and headsail having a clew that can extend behind the mast 30% or more of the mainsail foot length. The identifiers should be the same for each sail used.
4.7 Yachts shall conform to all U.S. Federal regulations. Additionally, it is strongly recommended that yachts also conform to Category 4 requirements of the latest “The World Sailing Offshore Special Regulations Governing Offshore Racing”. https://www.sailing.org/inside-world-sailing/rules-regulations/offshore-special-regulations/
4.8 All participating yachts shall be provisioned with the following:
a) Radio – a 5 watt minimum VHF transmitter / receiver with a manufacturer’s recommended antenna (masthead preferred). The radio must at least be capable of tuning to channels 9, 13, 16, 22A, 68, 69, 71, 72, and 78A.
b) GPS – a GPS device at least capable of displaying real-time latitude and longitude location data.
5 SELF-STEERING Cruising Class yachts may be sailed with assistance of self-steering gear, electric or wind (modifies RRS 52).
6 ENTRY FORMS AND OTHER DOCUMENTATION Prior to racing, each yacht shall be registered and shall submit (1) the proper Fee; (2) a Crew Declaration form including a landside emergency contact (which may be updated at the Competitors’ Meeting); and (3) a copy of a current PHRF certificate or similar (if not issued by FCSA) for possible adjustment to conform to FCSA ratings.
Register and obtain forms by selecting the Blue “CLICK TO REGISTER” Button on this website www.StAugustineRaceWeek.com or from the link at https:/www.sailjax.com.
7 CLASSES AND DIVISIONS PHRF Performance and PHRF Cruising Classes sub-divided into Spinnaker and Non-Spinnaker Divisions; also Multi-hull and One Design Classes as appropriate. Five entrants are required to establish a Class or Division thereof. Cruiser vs Performance class designations and ratings will be defined by the current FCSA PHRF Rules, excepting that Cruiser class boats shall not be restricted to use of woven polyester sail materials. Cruising Spinnaker Yachts must declare prior to the Competitors’ Meeting, with the FCSA standard rating adjustment applied for all races.
8 PRIZES Trophy flags for individual races will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers in each class or division of class. Regatta trophies will be awarded for overall 1st thru 3rd place in each class. A trophy will also be awarded to the FCSA Member Club with the best overall performance.
9 SAILING INSTRUCTIONS Obtain SI’s and scratch sheets at the Competitors’ Meeting.
