Summer sailing in Penn Cove is as classic as it gets! Here are some details about Oak Harbor Yacht Club’s upcoming event. 

Oak Harbor Yacht Club has a long history of running world class regattas and the Whidbey Island Classic welcomes sailors for some summertime fun in Penn Cove. Whidbey Island’s Penn Cove is known throughout the Salish Sea as a premier sailing destination. Part of the North Sound Party Circuit, the event promises great racing and an even better time.

The regatta is open to One Design keelboats, as well as handicap racing under PHRF and ORC, and Cruising classes. While Penn Cove is the focus, racing may also take place in Saratoga Passage and Crescent Harbor.

Oak Harbor Yacht Club is rolling out the red carpet for Whidbey Summer Classic participants. Social activities begin during the afternoon of Thursday July 27. Racing begins on Friday, July 28 and is preceded by a complimentary breakfast and a skipper’s meeting. Breakfast isn’t the only meal provided — breakfast and dinner will be complimentary for racers on each race day! The parties will be a highlight too, with live music each night.

There has been some scuttlebutt about depth issues for deeper draft sailboats at Oak Harbor. The event organizers want to assure you that there’s enough water in the marina for nearly all boats to join. According to Oak Harbor Marina Harbormaster, Chris Sublet, there is and has always been enough water to operate the marina at low tides. “In January 2023, the marina was surveyed as part of the start of a new dredge project. The guest slips that will host visiting racers is currently a -10 through -12.  This means that at the -2 tide at the shallowest slip will have 8 feet of water.”​

There’s still time to register and join the fun at this new summer sailing classic.

More info at: whidbeyclassic.com