Tradition Runs Deep!

Wessagussett sailors compete in Wednesday night PHRF sailboat racing from May through September each year. Wednesday night racing draws competitors from all over Hingham Bay including the Hull Yacht Club, Hingham Yacht Club, South Shore Yacht Club, and Hewitts Cove Marina. There are also several weekend races held throughout the summer. The Wessagussett Yacht Club is the host of our last weekend race of the year, The Chowder Cup. Competitors are invited to the club for awards and chowder following the race. Racing is also hosted at clubs throughout Mass Bay, culminating in the PHRF New England Championships held annually in Marblehead. Wessagussett members Dave Nelson, racing his Laser 28, and Jim McShane, racing his Merit 25, have won the PHRF New England's regatta.

Children have been sailing at Wessagussett Yacht Club for more than fifty years. The primary boat sailed is the Turnabout or the N-10. Other boats used are the Optimist and the 420. The sailing program is divided into a beginners and an advanced section. The beginners learn the basics of boat handling, knots and water safety and the advanced section teaches the fundamentals of racing and racing tactics.

Through the years the sailing program has had sailors go on to be college all Americans. Each child takes different things from the program. Some have become captains of industry and the U.S. Navy, some have gone on to Mass Maritime Academy and have pursued a career on the ocean, others have just continued sailing and racing as adults.