Based in Falmouth, Maine, Etchells Fleet 27 is an enthusiastic group of sailors who race Etchells one-design keelboats on beautiful Casco Bay. Fleet racing is held each Tuesday evening from mid-May through mid-September, with many members also participating in Portland Yacht Club's Thursday night racing series. The season concludes with the annual Lobster Bowl Regatta, which attracts competitors from around New England and Canada for a weekend of outstanding racing and Maine hospitality. Whether you're an experienced racer or new to one-design sailing, Fleet 27 welcomes sailors of all experience levels.
The Early Years
Etchells racing first came to Casco Bay in the early 1970s, shortly after designer Skip Etchells introduced the class. A group of Portland Yacht Club sailors—including noted Maine artist Tom Crotty and legendary local racer Merle Hallett—formed Fleet 5. Although the fleet raced together for only a few years before disbanding, it laid the foundation for what would eventually become Fleet 27.
A Fleet Reborn
Nearly three decades later, in 2000, PYC members Chris Robinson and Jeff Bennert began searching for a modern one-design keelboat to complement the club's successful J/24 fleet. They recruited Tim Tolford, Win Fowler, Seth Sprague, and Ralph Carpenter, and at a memorable organizational meeting at Three Dollar Dewey's the group voted 4-1 in favor of the Etchells. The lone dissenting vote reportedly came from a founder concerned that a boat without a head or auxiliary engine might be a difficult sell at home.
Over the winter and early spring of 2001, the founders tracked down boats from across North America. Win and Tim returned from Nova Scotia with two boats, Chris brought USA 493 Miss Margaret from San Diego, Seth purchased Medusa from Texas, Ralph restored USA 75 VooDoo, and Jeff found USA 175, a bargain that quickly became one of the fleet's most competitive boats.
With the five boats required for official recognition, Etchells Fleet 27 was established. On a cold, blustery evening in May 2001, the new fleet held its first races, beginning what members would jokingly describe as a never-ending quest to master the art of making an Etchells go fast.
Today
Fleet 27 has grown to more than 25 boats and has become one of the premier Etchells fleets in New England. Portland Yacht Club hosted the 2005 New England Championship and Fleet 27 hosted a World Championship qualifying regatta in 2013. Today, the annual Lobster Bowl Regatta, held each September, regularly attracts more than 25 boats from around the region for a weekend of close racing, great camaraderie, and a celebration of everything that makes Etchells sailing in Maine special.
