Choosing a Boat for Racing at Scarborough Yacht Club
Thinking of buying your first racing yacht?
One of the questions we’re asked often is:
“What boat should I buy if I want to race with Scarborough Yacht Club?”
The good news is that there isn’t a single “correct” answer.
Our racing fleet includes everything from family cruising yachts to purpose-built racer-cruisers. Because we race using the RYA YTC handicap system, many different designs can race competitively. The best boat is one that suits your budget, experience and the type of sailing you want to do.
What makes a good Scarborough racing boat?
A suitable boat must:
- Be eligible for and capable of obtaining an RYA YTC rating.
- Be seaworthy for North Sea conditions.
- Be designed and equipped to race safely without requiring additional buoyancy or a dedicated safety boat to be in attendance.
In terms of YTC handicaps, our fleet currently spans ratings 899 to 1156. Look for a yacht that fits in that range to get the best chances of fun, fair and exciting racing.
Additionally most of our fleet includes boats that are easy to handle with a crew of 2–6 and are comfortable enough for cruising as well as racing. Vessels without guardrails aren’t recommended due to the potential weather conditions on the North Sea.
These guidelines reflect the type of yachts that fit well with Scarborough Yacht Club’s racing programme and the resources available to the club.
However we do look at each application on a boat by boat basis. Best thing to do is ask first before committing to buying something that wouldn’t fit within the fleet.