Biscayne Bay Yacht Club promotes the art and sport of sailing on Biscayne Bay.
Since its founding in 1887, the club has played host to both local and internal events, including the Volvo Ocean Race, Block Island Race Week, Key West Race Week. Throughout the year BBYC Regatta Committee manages and oversee the Sunburn Regatta, Lime Cup Annual Offshore Race, Matheson-Keely and the International Etchells Series. More information, as well as registration details, for each regatta hosted by BBYC is posted to this site and updated annually.
LIME CUP OCEAN RACE
During the years 1964 through 1966, BBYC sponsored an ocean race for the Midget Ocean Racing Class of South Florida. The races alternated between South Bimini and Ocean Reef Club as destinations.In 1967, Harold Kendall, Jr. became interested in this event and donated the Lime Cup, a perpetual trophy, to the winner of the race on corrected time. Responding to the growing popularity of the event with more yachts and classes entering each year, Mr. Kendall donated a second trophy, known as the Avocado Cup. This cup was placed in competition in 1972 and awarded to the winner of the South Florida Ocean Racing Association class for yachts with I.O.R. ratings over 30’ in length. In 1973, Mr. Kendall put up a third trophy known as the Mango Cup, and a fourth cup known as the Guava Cup, and a fifth cup known as the Papaya Cup. They are awarded to the winners of the PHRF classes.Since 1973, the race has become a two-day event between Miami and Ft. Lauderdale, with an overnight rendezvous at Pier 66.
J. M. KEELY TROPHY RACE
In 1930, a new system of power cruiser competition was developed known as “The Predicted Log Contest.” Unlike speed events in which the contestant with the fastest boat usually wins, the owner of the slowest, smallest cruiser has as much chance of winning a Predicted Log Contest as the largest, fastest cruiser by this handicapping system. BBYC sponsored, and the American Power Boat Association sanctioned a Predicted Log Race in this area for the J.M. Keely Perpetual Trophy. These races were run from 1954 through 1961 at which time BBYC decided that APBA rules were too restrictive. The race is still held annually, but no longer APBA sanctioned. It is limited to Club yachts and is conducted under modified rules. (BBYC members only)
HUGH M. MATHESON TROPHY RACE
The Matheson Trophy Race was originated in 1948 by Budge Mead in honor of Hugh M. Matheson, Sr., 11-time Commodore of the Club. It is a perpetual trophy race with the winner’s name engraved each year. The first winner was Finlay L. Matheson. Nineteen years later, in 1966, Finlay scored again, winning the race over a course of 40 miles with Marker 8 off Caesar Creek, as a finish and starting point. The race is limited to boats owned and sailed by members of the Club. The original rule governing the race favoring shoal draft boats was superseded by the Storm Trysail Rule, a modified MORC rule, and now an assigned rule.. (BBYC members only)
ANNUAL SUNBURN REGATTA
The Sunburn Regatta had its inception in 1935 when dinghy racing was very popular and the Club boasted about 15 of them.The Club invited members of the North American Dinghy Association, of which it was a member, to come down February 22nd for a week of racing in the Sunburn Regatta, and to attend the Club’s annual Chowder Party. There were four days of racing. Alternate days were for repairs, rest, and recreation.People quickly accepted, and as many as 25 boats were shipped or trailed down from Long Island, Providence, Maryland, Kentucky and Chicago. There were parties at various homes and a Club dance to award prizes. Everyone had fun and all acquired a sunburn, which gave the regatta its name.The races continued for six years until the war. Afterwards, dates were advanced to March or April to avoid interference with the growing SORC races, and the regatta expanded to include all classes of boats for more Club participation.
BBYRA REGATTAS
– monthly scheduled races open to all boats that can qualify within their respective classes, sponsored by BBYC in cooperation with other member clubs of the Biscayne Bay Yacht Racing Association.CLUB CRUISES – designed for maximum participation for Club members