Staff Writer
MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA — The Manchester Classic, also known as the S.S. Crocker Memorial Race will again take to the waters this Saturday.
The July 13 race marks the 57th running of the 12-mile race between Baker’s Island off Manchester-by-the-Sea and Eastern Point in Gloucester.
Sponsored jointly by the Manchester Yacht Club and the Manchester Harbor Boat Club, the race is a sailing event for skippers with little racing experience, as well as for those with much racing knowledge.
“Come and enjoy the friendly atmosphere, excitement of competition and a great after-race party,” event organizer and Race Committee Chairperson Anthony Leggett said. “The Crocker is a pursuit race, with the smaller boats starting first and the bigger boats starting later. Theoretically, because of the handicap, everyone should finish close together, rather than spread out.”
Leggett, a Manchester resident, said the course is a simple triangle, which starts at Gales Ledge off House Island. The race then proceeds to the bell buoy at Eastern Point and then over to Newcomb’s Ledge, before returning to Gales Ledge.
Last year, the race was won by a Star Class boat — a 112-year-old design that was sailed by Luke Buxton and his daughter Evelyn. Measuring only 24-feet-long, the boat crossed the finish line ahead of the entire fleet, surpassing the largest boat, the 43-foot-long Pressure Drop in Class A.
But the racing is only part of the gathering.
“The post-race party on the (Manchester Yacht Club) deck is legendary and the boats from Marblehead or Gloucester may be able to pick up a mooring or find space on the (Manchester Yacht Club) dock to join in, rather than head back to their home port and miss the revelry,” Leggett said.
The event is held in memory of local yacht designer Samuel S. Crocker, who designed many classic yachts and racing sailboats, Leggett said.
“Each year, we dedicate the race to one of his designs,” he said. “This year, it is Roaring Bessie, designed and built in 1933 for Burnham Porter of Manchester.”
Leggett said the race is open to everyone from the casual cruising sailor to the competitive racer.
“The best thing about the race is the camaraderie and high spirits on the deck of the Manchester Yacht Club after an exhilarating afternoon on the waters of Massachusetts Bay,” he said. “The party is usually longer than the race.”
Interested skippers are encouraged to sign-up at www.regattaman.com. Participants are encouraged to attend the Crocker Race cookout and skipper’s meeting Friday, July 12, at 6 p.m.
For additional information, people may contact Leggett at anthonyleggett76@gmail.com.
Stephen Hagan can be reached at 978-675-2708 or at shagan@northofboston.com.