The Dark & Stormy Series was introduced in 2023 as an option to extend the weeknight sailing season in to October. So come join us for the first 3 or 4 Thursday evenings after the end of the fall series. In 2024, we averaged 13 boats out over the three nights. Details of this year’s series is available at this post.
This series is open to any keelboat from any club, PHRF or JAM, that is registered for our Interclub race program. Skippers, or their representatives, should meet under the blue tent at NSC at 1700 for a quick briefing on the course and the plan for the evening. However, boats that cannot attend the briefing (e.g. those from BYC or CVGR) will be advised of the course on VHF channel 72.
We will plan a windward-leeward type course using our permanent marks. Starts will be done using “rabbit starts”; more on that below. Sunset is shortly after 1800 by the end of this series, so this will involve sailing in the dark. This probably is not for the faint of heart, but a great excuse to get out and extend the season in the company of other boats.
Course
Two marks will be chosen as our start/leeward mark, and windward mark, from our Race Marks, and KNB and K3. All marks will be left to port. The course will likely be two or three times around, or perhaps two and a half “sausages”, with a finish to windward. The course will be confirmed at the skippers meeting and on VHF channel 72. See these charts for Mark & Course Options.
Start
See this basic primer on rabbit starts. The rabbit will be designated at the skippers meeting. The warning signal will be deemed to happen at 1750; there will be no horns, though general announcements will be made on VHF channel 72. At 1753, the rabbit should be to port (looking upwind) of the start mark, and by 1754, the rabbit should be proceeding on port tack, to arrive at the start/leeward mark as close to 1755 as possible. The rabbit shall leave the start mark to port, and shall then proceed on port tack, close-hauled. As soon as the rabbit has rounded the start/leeward mark, boats may start by crossing the rabbit’s stern, on starboard tack, leaving the start mark to port. After passing the start/leeward mark, the rabbit shall continue on port tack for one minute, or until all boats have crossed her transom, whichever comes first; at that time she shall tack onto starboard. Until such time as she tacks, all other boats shall keep clear of her. No other boats shall tack after starting, until the rabbit has tacked onto starboard.
Finish Line
The finish line is perpendicular to the course from last mark, extending 5 boat lengths from the port finish mark; in the absence of other boats finishing at the same time, boats are expected to finish right next to the mark. Boats shall record their own finish time as they pass the mark, preferably by taking a photo of the mark with their smart phone, or a screenshot that shows their position.
Scoring & Results
Boats should submit their finish times using the same process as is used for up-river races. The web form works well. Results will be available from the main Results page, but this event is really more about the shear enjoyment of sailing with others, than the actual results.
Prizes
Nothing but bragging rights. :)
Post-race debrief
In the NSC bar!
Reports
Read these reports from 2023 (then called the Moonlit Frostbite Series), and 2024, and check out these photos from 2024.
Questions or comments? Contact Hugh Morrin.
Page updated: 2025-10-02.
Page maintained by Hugh Morrin.
Update log: 2024-09-09, HM: Created page from Moonlit Frostbite Series post, which was the name used in 2023. 2024-09-12, HM: Editorial updates. Changed photos. 2024-09-14, HM: Removed colons from H2 headings. 2024-10-24, HM: Added links to 2023 and 2024 reports. Revised some wording. 2025-09-24, HM: Added link to post with current year details. Made reference to 3 or 4 nights of racing. 2025-10-02, HM: Added links to Rabbit Start primer (Hugh’s diagram) and Mark & Course Options. Other very minor editorial updates.