Portage Lake Yacht Club · Est. 1896
The Portage
Regatta
Inaugural Edition
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We are proud to announce the first-ever Portage Lake Yacht Club Regatta — the beginning of what we intend to become a storied annual tradition on the waters of Portage Lake.
Whether you are a competing sailor or a patron joining us on shore to take in the racing, registration is required for all attendees. We invite everyone to join us for a day of spirited Sunfish competition, a shared luncheon, and the kind of lakeside camaraderie that has defined this club for nearly 130 years.
In 1896, Frederic Ramsdell — son of Manistee's Thomas Jefferson Ramsdell of Ramsdell Theatre fame — joined with fellow enthusiasts to found the Onekama Sailing Club on the shores of Portage Lake. It was one of the very first sailing clubs in the state of Michigan.
Members hand-built wooden sailboats and rigged them for racing. Their fleet became affectionately known as the Mosquito Fleet — nimble, spirited, and impossible to ignore.
"Sundays and holidays were racing days. Races were started in the forenoon. The course was marked by flagged buoys and competition was keen." — Club Historical Record
Nearly 130 years later, that same spirit carries on — now under the flag of the Portage Lake Yacht Club, and soon, under the pennant of our inaugural Regatta.
| Time | Event | |
|---|---|---|
| 8:30 – 10:30 AM |
Boat Delivery & Rigging
Volunteers on hand to assist
|
Sailors |
| 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
Luncheon
Included with registration · Patrons welcome to join
|
All |
| 12:15 PM |
Competitors to Water
Sailors on the water · Patrons find their vantage point ashore
|
Sailors |
| 12:30 PM |
Warning Signal Race 1
Prep 12:34 PM · Start 12:39 PM
|
All |
| ~1:30 PM |
Warning Signal Race 2
Estimated, subject to conditions
|
All |
| ~2:30 PM |
Warning Signal Race 3
All racing complete by 4:00 PM
|
All |
Limited on-site storage for Sunfish trailers is available and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis on the morning of the event. Early arrival is strongly encouraged for those trailering their boat.
Parking is limited. Early arrival is strongly encouraged for all attendees — both sailors and patrons. On-site spaces will fill quickly on the morning of the event.
Patrons are warmly invited to watch the racing from the club grounds and shoreline, which offer an excellent vantage point over the race course. As parking on-site is limited, we encourage patrons to arrive early and to consider carpooling where possible.
Registration is required for patrons. Please complete your registration in advance to secure your spot for the day's events, including the luncheon.
In 1896 they built their own boats by hand and raced for bragging rights on Portage Lake. This July, sailors and patrons alike have the chance to carry that tradition forward. Registration is required for all — spaces are limited, so register early.