Pinhey's Point Race & Raft-up
NSC's Pinhey's Point Race & Raft-up typically takes place in late June or early July and combines a relatively short (~15 Nm) race, with a social raft-up at Pinhey's Point Historic Site. This is the shortest of NSC's up-river races, and is also part of the Interclub Long Distance Series. It is an ideal event for families and newcomers to up-river racing who are interested in trying out something new on a summer weekend.
Not everyone chooses to do the race -- many just head up to Pinhey's for the social and friendly raft-up, and to watch the action at the finish line. Typically a larger non-racing boat is designated as the "Raft Master" and arrives at the anchorage prior to the racers finishing. Other boats join the raft as they arrive. Boats are invited to bring hors d'ouevres for 8-12, and once most have joined the raft, the passing of the hors d'ouevres starts. This is strictly a BYO (bring your own) event, as food is neither supplied, nor available for purchase. Most boats spend the night at Pinhey's, while others may choose the ~1.5 hour motor home.
The Pinhey Estate is an 88-acre heritage site, situated on the scenic shores of the Ottawa River and offers public washrooms (and one shower), a dock for mooring of light, non-motorized craft, a picnic area with picnic tables and barbecues (bring your own charcoal), a museum highlighting the Pinhey family and walking trails. See the the Pinhey's Point Foundation and Ottawa River Sailing Page web sites for more information.
The race normally starts in the early afternoon, started by an NSC Committee Boat outside of the NSC harbour. Racers pass Aylmer Island, and then continue upriver past Pinhey's Point to turn around at a temporary mark that is normally set within sight of Port-of-Call Marina, roughly in the middle of Breckenridge Bay. After rounding the mark, racers sprint back to Pinhey's Point to the finish line in front of Pinhey's. The home stretch sprint is one of the more exciting of the Interclub Long Distance Series races - dozens of spectator boats anchor in Pinhey's Point Bay and racers are loudly cheered as they cross the finish line. With all those cameras present, you might even be able to find an award-winning photo of your boat dashing across the finish line.
Pinhey's Point is also easily accessable by car. Click on this link for directions from NSC.
Check the Sailing Instructions or any special notice for additional details.
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Written by Colin Mombourquette. Comments or changes to Hugh Morrin, nsc-events at nsc dot ca.