Fleet 75 Hosts Regional and National-Level Regatta

The Fleet routinely hosts regional and national competitions, drawing a high level of talented sailors from other clubs across the country.   Two of the largest regattas hosted by Fleet 75 and the entire Nyack Boat Club family were the Atlantic Coast Championships in 2018, with 23 boats, and the 2013 Women/Junior/Masters North Americans, with 57 Lightnings.

Welcome to the Fleet

Fleet 75 includes experienced sailors and beginners, and welcomes newcomers at all levels interested in participating (the cost of a boat competitive for club racing and for day sailing is moderate) and in crewing.

The Lightning is a lively 19 ft. Sparkman & Stephens designed sloop. Weighing 700 lbs. with a 130 lb. steel centerboard, it is dry-sailed and easily trailered with a beam of 6'6". With a crew of three, the skipper helms and handles the mainsail. Forward crew tends the jib and the spinnaker pole downwind. Middle crew trims the spin downwind and helps with boat balance upwind.

The Lightning's elegant rig is simple, and several sail controls allow for various adjustments, making it a great boat for the novice and racer alike. A Lightning has 177 sq. ft. of mainsail and jib and a 300 sq. ft. symmetrical spinnaker making for exhilarating downwind runs.

With 150 active fleets world-wide, and strong support from the International Lightning Class Association (“ILCA”), this is an active and competitive one-design class. The Lightning is a fast, fun, athletic boat! Check out Lightning Fleet 75 at NBC!

Fleet 75 History

Magnus Pedersen founded Fleet 75 with four boats in 1945 as the first one-design fleet at NBC. With Pedersen at the helm, the club hosted the Atlantic Coast Championships in ‘47 and ‘48. The fleet continued to grow until there were up to 30 boats for Sunday races in the 1960s.

In 2013, former fleet member Justin Coplan placed second in the Lightning World Championships in Castiglione del Lago, Italy.   Justin learned to sail at Nyack and previously competed in Fleet 75 as crew and skipper. 

The same year, Fleet 75 hosted the largest Lightning Women's, Juniors’ & Masters’ North American Championships and Classic Rally ever with 57 boats participating.

Fleet 75 is part of the ILCA Metropolitan District and sponsors two invitational regattas each year, the Magnus Pedersen in June and the Last Blast in October.

Getting in touch

1. For more information and to join the Fleet email list contact Peter Browne, fleet captain, at: pbrowne126@gmail.com
2. Email Peter to arrange a sail with a fleet member.
3. Visit the International Lightning Class Association website: www.lightningclass.org/
4. Stop by the dry-sail area Sundays during May to October before or after racing to learn more about the Lightning.

Fleet Events for 2022

Sunday afternoon racing begins - May 8

Club Memorial Day Regatta - May 28

Magnus Pedersen Regatta (Lightning Invitational, at Nyack) – June 25-26

Club Guy Moulton Regatta – July 9-10

Lightning Atlantic Coast Championships - July 14 & 15

Lightning Fleet hosts Club Fall Regatta - September 10 & 11

Lightning Last Blast Regatta & Chili Party – Saturday, October 8

Sunday afternoon racing ends - October 9

Photo credits: George Penny (top photo), Art Petrosemolo (other photos)