Regatta 2024

Information for competitors

Berthing Information

1. Darthaven Marina. www.darthaven.co.uk Tel: 01803 752545.

With full marina facilities they are able to accommodate a significant number of competitor boats of under 40ft rafted within the Marina. During Regatta week (from Saturday 22nd to Sunday 30th August), all visitor marina berths will be dedicated to yachts entered in the regatta and no berths will be offered to non-competing visiting yachts during that time. The existing facilities for berth holders are, unfortunately, insufficient for the number of entrants anticipated, but for 2026 there will be a considerable increase in the temporary facilities provided and an emphasis on providing an enjoyable stay for all competitors. Shore power and water will be available to the rafted boats. Whilst they do not pre-book please contact them direct to discuss your berthing requirements. There are also launching and lifting facilities up to 40 tonnes.

2. Dart Harbour and Navigation Authority DHNA www.dartharbour.org/ Tel: 01803 832337.

Dart Harbour has many moorings of different types throughout the River.

For yachts which are competing in the Regatta, moorings on a deep-water pontoon (probably rafted) will be available, and can be reserved for the duration of the event on arrival – please contact them direct to discuss your requirements, quoting the DHNA booking code that you will find in your booking confirmation email. (If you entered in February, you will receive it in a separate email)

For other boats, moorings will be available on a daily first come first served basis. Pre booking is not available, please call Dartnav on Ch11 when passing the castles.

There is an excellent Yacht Taxi service to reach Dartmouth or Kingswear, though it does not allow shore to shore trips. The last taxi is at 22:30. The taxi can be contacted on VHF Channel 69 call sign ‘Yacht Taxi’ or mobile 07970 346571.

3. Royal Dart Yacht Club. www.royaldart.co.uk moorings@royaldart.co.uk. Tel. 01803 752496

RDYC has a number of Trots for boats up to 12m. There are usually some available during regatta. From 1st July the moorings officer will know what will be available and you may be able to reserve something suitable.

4. Noss on Dart Marina (Premier Marinas) www.premiermarinas.com/UK-Marina-locations/Noss-on-Dart-Marina Tel: 01803 839087

There are no dedicated visitor berths, but telephone near the time to check if any berths are available.

Lifting services available up to 75 tonnes.

5. Dart Marina www.dartmarinayachtharbour.com Tel:01803 837161

As part of the Hotel and Spa complex, berths are limited over Regatta, telephone to check.

6. Blackness Marine. www.blacknessmarine.co.uk/ Tel: 01803 722654

Up River beyond Dittisham, principally a boat yard and storage facility with lifting and launching facilities up to 20 tonnes. Road access is via narrow lanes.

Mobile App for Hearing Requests, Scoring Enquiries and much more

In 2026, we will again be using the RacingRulesofSailing.org App, and this is also available online at www.racingrulesofsailing.org. This mobile App allows you to submit a Hearing Request (Protest) and other enquiries to the OA without the need to go to the Race Office or Reception. Paper forms will still be available for those who prefer the traditional system. The App also allows you direct access to the Official Noticeboard, time limits, jury decisions and notifications.

The Official Noticeboard will go live on August 15th. Competitor information will be uploaded a few days before the start of racing. But we suggest you download the App ahead of time, and take a look at some other on-going regattas to familiarise yourself with its layout.

Click here for more details.

Classes and Ratings

In both the Savills Passage Race and the 4-day Yacht and Dayboat Series, the proposed classes include IRC, YTC and Classic Yachts. IRC boats with both primary and secondary ratings should declare on the entry form which rating they intend to use. Boats in the Classic and YTC classes may opt to sail with or without spinnaker. The Series will include the IRC Nationals (more details below) and a one-design class for the J/109 National Championship. There will also be National Squib and other One Design classes subject to entries.

Boats holding an IRC rating are strongly encouraged to enter as IRC, but it is accepted, for a variety of reasons, some boats may prefer to race with their YTC or JCH rating. Change of class can be made up to August 14th. If unsure which type/group your boat falls into, please email ratings@dartmouthsailingweek.com.

IRC Entries in the Series: This year we are hosting the IRC National Championship. To be eligible for this, boats are required to hold an ‘Endorsed’ certificate, however all IRC boats, regardless of their certificate type, will be sailing in the same divisions (which aim to keep boats with similar performance together). This means boats with a ‘Standard’ certificate will still be competing for division prizes as normal, but ‘Endorsed’ boats will additionally be eligible for the separate National Championship prizes. On the entry form please specify which category of IRC certificate you hold – if you intend to upgrade to an Endorsed certificate, please, if possible, do this before entering, or contact ratings@dartmouthsailingweek.com if it will be close to a discount cut off date.

The YTC class will sail under the RYA Yacht Time Correction (RYA YTC, previously known as SW YTC) System. Boats should apply online at rorcrating.com/ryaytc/ before entering. This is a free of charge service but must be renewed annually. For 2026 the maximum hull length permissible has been increased from 15 to 17m, but the RORC reserve the right to decline a rating for boats deemed to be unsuitable for the current rating formula. Entries will be accepted from boats with 2026 YTC not exceeding 1110.

The Classic Yacht class will sail under the JCH system, and entries will be accepted for those with JCH rating not less than 0.7700 (http://www.jch-online.org/bateaux_jauges.php).

Please see the Notices of Race (available here) for full details.

Note in particular that if it is found that a rating is not available by 17:00 on the day before the race (Passage Race or Series), the boat will not be considered an entry and no refund of the entry fee will be made except in exceptional circumstances (see Passage Race NoR 4.5.1, and Series NoR 4.4.1). Boats which do not race regularly and do not hold any certificate are encouraged to participate in the informal White Sail or Gaffer competitions instead.

Covid Guidelines

Although Covid tends not to be in the forefront of our minds these days, safety remains a priority. Be respectful of others who may have hidden vulnerabilities, and keep social distance if asked to do so. Our clubs are likely to be crowded but briefings and prizegivings will be held in the RDYC marquee (with the yacht skipper briefing also available via zoom), and many facilities will be available outdoors, including an outside cash bar at RDYC and the riverside terrace at DYC.

Local Hazards

Please be aware a wave monitoring buoy is positioned in Start Bay at: 50° 17.53’N 003° 36.99’W. The picture shows the buoy which can be hard to spot in some conditions. Below the water it is surrounded by a 1 metre defensive frame. Boats should keep well clear of it, both while proceeding to their starting area and while racing.

RDYC’s guide to “Avoiding Rocks” is also well worth a read.

In the harbour, the Ferries have right of way at all times and competitors must give them a wide berth. When approaching or leaving Darthaven Marina, it is recommended that yachts stay more to the centre of the river, rather than going along the shore in front of RDYC. Especially during high tides when the ferry is further up the slip, visibility is restricted for the ferry when loading and unloading passengers, and yachts close to the shore are not visible until the last minute.