Offshore - Lake Ontario 300

Page 34 Lake Ontario Offshore Racing Guide Lake Ontario Offshore Racing Guide Page 35
Getting Ready for
enjoy exceptional sailing and work towards a common goal without the hectic
course racing and parties of most regattas.
Offshore Racing
First time participants in the Lake Ontario 300 are encouraged to set realistic
goals. For some, simply finishing the race constitutes a tremendous achievement.
Newbies are also encouraged to test their skills on a shorter race or an
overnight race like the Susan Hood Trophy Race to determine their comfort
level with offshore / long distance racing. Those that are now to the race may
also elect to compete in a white sails division, and sail on the Scotch Bonnet
Island Course.
The Lake Ontario 300 is acknowledged as the longest annually held
fresh water race in the world at 300 nautical miles and can be different
things to different participants, taking on definitions ranging from
an unbelievable thrill, the greatest challenge on the lakes, a marathon, an
adventure, a test of skills or for some a non-stop cruise.
The LO300 is the Boston Marathon of Lake Ontario’s yachting events, but there
are many other offshore races here that will challenge your sailing skills and
ambitions. These are listed on page 6 of this guide, and you can learn more
about them by contacting the host club or organizing authority.
Typically, offshore racing refers to long distance ocean racing but can apply to
events on large bodies of water such as the Great Lakes. Key features that help
define an offshore race include:
1. A course without temporary marks adjusted to accommodate the wind
2. Long distance legs, usually at least 10 to 15 nm in length
3. Non-stop racing that frequently includes racing at night
4. Racing that is not postponed due to adverse weather conditions
Races that incorporate these attributes take on a personality of their own and if
they are annual events, vary significantly year after year. The challenges different
from short course racing, requiring a different set of tactics, boat handling,
and seamanship skills. The skills needed vary dramatically depending on the
time of year during which the race is run, it’s overall distance and the navigational
obstacles encountered on the course.
Over longer distances, currents and uneven wind conditions become more
of a factor and amplify the effects of tactical decisions made during the race.
Depending on your location to the rest of the fleet your boat may experience a
very different weather pattern thus impacting performance for better or perhaps
for worse. At the same time, the longer distance affords greater opportunity to
make up lost time and/or distance. In an offshore or long distance race it is
common to hear many different versions on the same race for the same year.
This means each boat is constantly challenged to race their best and navigate
the course based on the weather conditions they are facing. Offshore racing is
a true test of sailing ability.
Most sailors entering into an offshore race are wanting a new challenge and
looking to test their skills against the other participants. Some, however, are
looking for a more relaxed racing experience that allows time for the crew to
There are a
number of things
to consider
before entering
an offshore race.
These will affect
the outcome of
the race and your
enjoyment of the
experience:
• Determine
your crew
size: double
handed is
popular, in
part because
This image of Scotch Bonnet Island has been
provided by Marinas.com
of the challenge, but also for the simple reason that you do not have to
coordinate a full crew. It is more challenging but your boat needs to be
suitable for short-handed sailing and your partner needs to be committed
and experienced
• Make sure you have the experience necessary to compete. Navigation,
tactics, shift management, night sailing, and even menu planning take on a
different characteristic in an offshore race and it is important that your crew
has some experience in the various areas
• Set your boats rules on safety, shift changes, night time sailing. It is important
on a long race to adhere to a policy of wearing harnesses and PFDs at
a chosen time before dark and keeping regular shift changes every 3 to 4
hours depending on the boat and crew. Harnesses and PFDs should also
be worn at all times in heavy weather and through the night on watch
• It is important to understand the strengths of individual crew members i.e.
some need lots of sleep while others can survive on very little
• Determine whether you wish to compete white sail only or with flying sails.
This is important and ties into the fully crewed decision. White sail, either
double handed or fully crewed is a great way to get started with offshore