Home > Charters > Corporate Activities > Sailing Regatta

Sailing regattas offer the opportunity to encourage team building, while participating in a challenging and exciting hands-on sailing race. Dana Island Yachts has more than 15 years of experience organizing such events for corporate groups from all over the world.

• Our fleet of luxury sailboats features all the amenities including galley, head, VHF radio, cushioned seating, Coast Guard certified safety equipment, stereo system, and more.

• Each sailboat, typically 30 to 40 feet in length is U. S. Coast Guard certified for up to six passengers. All the boats are accompanied by a friendly Coast Guard licensed Captain, who has many years of sailing experience. And while the Captain is there for assistance and safety, we encourage every passenger aboard to assist, (as much as safety will allow), in sailing the vessel.

• Because of its design, a particular boat might be naturally faster than another. Therefore we "handicap" the sailboats, giving each of them a different "rating" to ensure to ensure equality and fairness.

Regattas typically begin in front of our office where your group will be divided into teams of six. Or, guests may be divided into teams prior to arrival. Each pre-divided team can be assigned a color, number, letter...you decide! Each team will then be assigned to a Captain and boat.

Next, the passengers are escorted to the sailboats which are located in the docks behind our office. After boarding the Captains discuss boating and safety procedures, answer passenger questions, select team positions, plot strategy, and finally guide the boats out of Dana Point Harbor, (we are just a few minutes from the harbor entrance), to the predetermined starting point.

During the race there are several positions available for passenger participation:
Helmsman: Take your turn at the wheel and help steer the yacht. Learn to "point" the boat as close to the wind as possible to make the boat go fast!
Mainsail Trimmer: Sheets the mainsail in and out, and makes corrections to the sail that influences the vessels overall speed.
Genoa Trimmer: Operates the forward, largest sail which controls the point of sail and overall speed. When you "tack" the boat, the genoa trimmers are very important persons!
Timer/Tacktition: Responsible for make sure your at the starting line when you're supposed to be. Also accountable for making sure that the point of sail other boats are on are not faster than yours!
Navigator: Responsible for the layout of the race course and how their vessel follows the course in the fastest, shortest manner. Navigators make sure they know where their boat is in relationship to other sailboats.
Team Mascot: The person who yells the loudest but does the least physical work. This inspiring individual is very important to overall team moral!

The race itself is approximately 6.7 miles and typically requires a 4-hour minimum charter time. However the course can be modified to accommodate a three hour or less regatta. We race a triangular course similar to the America's Cup. At the furthest point the boats are only two miles from shore. Once all boats are at the start line, the Race Committee vessel will issue 3 long blasts on the horn and raise the white flag, signaling 5 minutes to the start of the race. Two minutes before the start time the Race Committee will issue 2 long blasts on the horn and raise the blue flag. The race begins with one long blast on the horn and the red flag raised. The Race Committee will supervise the regatta, making sure the boats cross the start line at the appropriate time, go around all specified markers, and determine placement of the sailboats as they cross the finish line. First, second, and/or third place finishers can be presented with trophies or other awards.

For larger groups that may have employees who want to watch the race, but not participate, we can provide a larger motor yacht or a classic sailing schooner. The passengers aboard this large yacht relax, eat lunch, and enjoy the race.
Dana Island Yachts can also provide assorted beverages, snacks, and/or boxed lunches during the charter. For further information and availability please call (949) 248-7400, e-mail, or contact a destination meeting planner.

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