About Ocean Racing

Gulfstream Sailing Club conducts around-the-buoys races in the ocean off Port Everglades. We usually race triangular courses either north or south of the Port Everglades channel, to avoid traffic in the busy channel. Winter Series races are scheduled November through April. They start at 11 AM, and they usually end around 3 PM. Our ocean races are governed by the 2025-2028 Racing Rules of Sailing, possibly modified by the Notice of Race for a specific race.

The Race Committee sometimes needs to modify the sailing instructions in the Notice of Race because of unexpected weather, seas, traffic, or Navy activity. Racers should monitor VHF channel 68 and attend to their cell phones to obtain racing instruction updates. Typical changes include a 15-minute delayed start because of ships in the channel and racing north of the channel because of Navy activity south of the channel.

We race in one class, using Gulfstream Handicaps, which are based on PHRF handicaps. The Race Committee assigns boats Gulfstream Handicaps, based on the base handicap of the boat’s make, model, and equipment. We use time-on-distance handicapping. Our fleet includes racing boats, racer-cruisers, and blue-water cruisers, so handicapping is important.

Our racing program is designed for friends to enjoy racing with each other while they improve their skills. We want our members to race their boats, and have fun doing it.