The Rockland Yacht Club (RYC) is proud again to partner with Rockland’s Sail, Power & Steam Museum (SPSM) to present the annual RYC Scholarship Race, dedicated to raising funds for educational opportunities for youth sailing programs in Midcoast Maine.
Scholarship race partners believe that money should not be a barrier to learning to sail and race, a skill which improves physical and mental health, develops leadership and teamwork abilities, and instills an appreciation for the environment around us.
This event raises funds for the next generation of sailors to get out on the water and learn the joys of seamanship via programs like Midcoast Sailing Center’s “Sail Kids for Free” (SKFF) lessons for youth ages 8-14, and the area high school sailing teams at the Apprentice Shop.
Scheduled for August 15, 2026, boats of any size are welcome to participate. There will be three divisions (class splits will be determined on race day) including spinnaker and non-spinnaker classes. One-design classes are encouraged but must have at least three boats entered to be scored as their own class.
The starting line is outside of, and to the southeast of the Rockland Ferry channel in Penobscot Bay and indicated by the RYC Race Committee boat. Courses will be described in the sailing instructions and at the Skippers’ Meeting at 10 a.m. at the Rockland Yacht Club.
The first warning signal will be at approximately 11:30 a.m. The final course will be determined by the race committee on race-day and announced at the Skippers’ Meeting. Skippers are encouraged to have at least one youth or teen crew member aboard.
The event will be followed by an awards ceremony and fundraising BBQ courtesy of the Rockland Yacht Club and sailors. Allagash Brewing is generously donating libation to the celebratory event. Specialty trophies will be awarded to competitors, while crew and guests will enjoy the sun setting over the harbor.
Additional prizes will be awarded to the boat that raises the most funds for sailing scholarships and those with the greatest number of youth crew members.
Participating boats are encouraged to raise additional funds to add to scholarships for youth sailing programs. Boats and interested sailors unable to participate in the race can still raise money via the online GoFundMe page, created to encourage anyone to participate in supporting scholarships to benefit youth sailing. Online donations can be made at https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-rocklands-scholarship-sail-race, or click the QR code.
Race registration is required at regattaman.com for all boats. The registration fee will be $125; visit the RYC website for information: www.rocklandyachtclub.org. Race registration includes tickets to the awards ceremony and barbecue and a race-day t-shirt for the captain. Additional dinner tickets ($20 per person) and awards ceremony tickets or t-shirts may be purchased at the event. All are invited to attend, even those not participating in the race.
To date, sponsors include Bangor Savings Bank, Epifanes, Landings Marina, Knight Marine, Ocean Pursuits Marine Systems and Servies, Front Street Shipyard/Save Harbor Marine, Prock Marine, Allagash Brewing, and Bohndell Sails, and more!
