Home | Cock Island Race

The 2027 Cock Island Race kicks off on Friday, June 18, with the Skippers' Party at 5:00 PM (mandatory Skippers Meeting at 6:30 PM). This is a Skipper plus 1meeting. The Race is on Saturday, June 19, at 9:00 A.M. (first warning horn), followed by the world famous Cock Island Party and Awards Ceremony. Note below the change in location for the Cock Island Party and Awards Ceremony!

STAY TUNED FOR DETAILS -- REGISTRATION OPENS MARCH 1, 2027.

Whether this is your first Race or your 39th, the Cock Island Race is a legendary Southern Bay event. Once maxing out at 350 boats, the Race is a little smaller now but growing itself back to pre-COVID levels.

More about the History of the Cock Island Race here.

One thing that has not changed, however, is The Party (or, should we say, the Parties). The folks at the Portsmouth Boat Club know how to throw a Party.

Check-In & Skipper's Meeting

Check-in and Skipper's Meeting is on Friday, June 18, from 5:00-8:00 P.M. at the Portsmouth Boat Club, 20 Elm Avenue, Portsmouth, Virginia. Free golf cart shuttle transportation is available from Olde Towne Shuttle at the top of B-Dock at Tidewater Yacht Marina (the shuttle is free but tips are encouraged). The mandatory Skippers' Meeting will start at 6:30. As always, there will be beer, food and a great Swag Bag. This meeting is limited to the skipper plus 1 guest.

As in prior years, Tidewater Yacht Marina is once again providing their very generous 15% transient dockage discount for Cock Island Racers. Thank you Tidewater Yacht Marina! Contact the Race Committee for the coupon instructions and code.

Race Day

Race Day, Saturday, June 19, starts with the traditional Continental Breakfast at 7:30 A.M. at Tidewater Yacht Marina with the first warning horn for the Race at 9:00 A.M. off the northern end of the Portsmouth Seawall. We welcome PHRF A, B, C, N (non-spinnaker/single head-sail only) and CC NS (non-spinnaker/single head-sail only) Classes, a Non-PHRF Cruising Class (non-spinnaker/single head-sail only), a Schooner Class and a Multihull Class.

More information can be found in the NOTICE OF RACE and in the SAILING INSTRUCTIONS. You should also be familiar with our FOUL WEATHER PLAN, all of which shall be posted n or before March 1, 2027 when Registration opens.

The Race finishes at 3:00 P.M., whether or not you have finished, and then we go to The Party at the Portsmouth Boat Club from 4:00-9:00 P.M. The Awards Ceremony is at 6:00 P.M. Food will be provided from 4:00-7:00 P.M.

Did we mention The Party?

For 2027, because of anticipated construction conflicts involving Portside at the North Street Basin and Ferry Landing,the Cock Island Awards Ceremony and Party is back at the ever popular Portsmouth Club where we have real bathrooms!

Also back by popular demand, are the real Cock Island Rum Punch. The Band will be selected by the opening of Registration and will take the stage at 5 PM.

So come on out and enjoy a great Race and even better times at The Party.

Questions? Do you want 15% off transient dockage fees at Tidewater Yacht Marina? Contact the Race Committee.

Sponsors

Join us in support of SAFETY TOWN and to help continue a long outstanding sailing and fellowship event in the City of Portsmouth. Mix and mingle with skippers and crew on Friday evening at the PBC Clubhouse, check out the race starting Saturday morning and then be sure to come to the Club on Saturday for the Awards Party. There will be entertainment, food and libations aplenty! All Sponsors get a pre-set number of tickets for FREE food and beverages. Silver, Gold and Platinum Sponsors get a Swag Bag with additional goodies and additional FREE food and beverage tickets.

A portion of the proceeds from this event go for the benefit of Safety Town and additional local charities to be determined by the opening of Sponsor sign-up.

Interested in more information on Sponsor Levels and benefits? Interested in Sponsoring? Use our On-Line Sponsor Form and pay on-line. Do you prefer to sponsor and pay by paper? Then print out this Sponsor Form and either mail it and your check to us as directed on the Form or Contact Us and someone will come out to you and pick everything up. The Portsmouth Boat Club and the Cock Island Race Committee are all about that Southern personal service! Additional information on Sponsorship will be available here starting February 1, 2027 at which time you will also be able to Sponsor on-line.

Race Registration will open March 1

On-Line Sponsor Will Open Februaary 1, 2027

Sponsors Registration Here