Hey, come join us for the
45th North Americans!

As a sanctioned International Martin 242 Class Association (IMCA) event, you must be a member of a recognized fleet and meet all one-design requirements in order to race. A crew weight declaration form must be on file by the time check-in closes.

If you are not yet a member of your local fleet, please join today as registrations for North American's cannot be accepted without verified membership. 

• Join Fleet 1 (Vancouver and region) or Fleet 2 (Vancouver Island and San Juan islands)
• Join Fleet 3 (Los Angles)
• Join Fleet 4 (Sylvan Lake)

In accordance with our class rules, note that all boats racing in one-design class events require a valid measurement certificate (rule 1.1) as well as a current sail registry (rule 3.6.3). If you already have a signed measurement certificate dated May 15, 2016 (the last IMCA update) or later and haven’t changed your boat or added new sails, no action is needed. If you don’t have a current form and plan to race at North Americans, please contact your local measurer as soon as possible to discuss the measuring process and timeline. First priority will be given to boats planning to race in the 2025 North Americans.

The measuring process involves four primary activities:

• Keel and rudder, including edges and cross-sections. The boat must be out of the water for these measurements.
• Spars and rigging, including forestay length, location of mast fittings and limit bands, and spinnaker pole dimensions. The mast is typically pulled from the boat for these measurements.
• Weight of boat and review of fittings/lines. The boat must be stripped of all gear per rule 3.7.1 for weighing.
• Sail registry review. The owner must have a completed/current sail registry available for review.

Lastly, a crew weight declaration form must be submitted for each boat.

With regard to billeting, we have already received requests from multiple teams and have arranged housing at 6 different locations so far. If you need billeting, please contact Erica Crilly at erica.crilly@gmail.com or 604-970-7510

With regard to Motherships, we have already received about 8 requests from large vessel owners and can accommodate them at RVYC from the Wednesday to the Monday of the event. 

If you need space for your Mothership, please contact Clare Strain at clare.strain@telus.net or 604-828-7346 and state the following as soon as possible so we can ensure there is room for you:

• Length 
• Width 
• Depth
• Sail or Power 
• Estimated Arrival Date 

All Vancouver-based competitors will be required to store their boats back on trailers after the Practice Race on Friday and the first day of racing on Saturday. Limited room may be available for boats from False Creek and the North Shore.

Out-of-town boats will be able to also store their boats on their trailers at RVYC as we will be clearing space on the west side of the dock by moving all the Stars to the east side. But if boats are delivered by water from OOT, and will be staying in the water at RVYC, they will be given preferential access to the cranes on Saturday and Sunday mornings to quickly scrub their boat bottoms if they wish.

At least 2 cranes will be operational and possibly 3.

RVYC and KYC Crane Waivers

For non-Members using the RVYC or KYC cranes to launch or recover their boats at the event, they must first fill in and sign a Crane Waiver for either Club and submit it to the Harbor Master at RVYC or the Admin Manager at KYC. An RVYC Member has to be present when a non-Member is using an RVYC crane.

- RVYC Crane Waiver

Here's the link to the Tide Tables for Point Atkinson (across the Bay from RVYC):

https://tides.gc.ca/en/stations/07795/2025-08-22?tz=PDT&unit=m

This means that any boat on the Dry Dock at RVYC (or any boat in the water at RVYC that wants to scrub their boat bottom), must finish using the 2 cranes by about:

Before Low Tide

- 8:45am Friday (Practice Race at 1pm)

- 10am Saturday (regular races start at 10:30am)

- 11am Sunday (regular races start at 10:30am)

After Low Tide

Friday: 2:40pm

Saturday: 3pm (we will almost certainly still be racing)

Sunday: 3:20pm (probably still racing but getting close to wrapping up)

KYC boats don't have an issue launching.

If coming from Royal Victoria Yacht Club, travel distance is approximately 60 nautical miles and towing takes approximately 10 to 12 hours depending on currents and towing speed.

If coming from Orcas Island, travel distance is approximately 55 miles. Consider staging delivery with a stop in the Gulf Islands or Roche Harbor on San Juan Island.

United States visitors should download and configure the CBP Roam app on their phone before leaving. This app facilitates clearance while underway for visitors with a standard passport or NEXUS holders. See the site for current exceptions. Alternatively, customs clearance may be completed in Roche Harbor or Friday Harbor. 

A few more clearance tips:

• Carry your boat registration and/or proof of ownership papers. 
• Only boats with people need to be cleared when underway (ie. mothership, not Martins). Towed boats are considered the same as a dinghy. That said, the CBP Roam app allows selection of multiple boats to clear.
• If the owner isn't on board, ensure you have paperwork authorizing use, ideally notorized or with some way to prove the signature is of the owner.
• Don't start the CBP Roam app until you cross into U.S. waters. The app grabs your GPS location when it is started and seems to have an issue reporting when the app is started when still in United States water.

Friday evening 

Welcome Cocktail party at Royal Vancouer Yacht Club on the lower level with light snacks provided by NAVIS Marine.   A no-host bar with beer and wine will be available with credit card and debit.

Saturday evening

Pirates of the Pacific

Tahiti Beach Dinner and Party

 at Kitsilano Yacht Club, 2401 Point Grey Road

Parking at KYC - Parking can be found on the Street or in the Parking lot at Kits Beach.

Cocktails at 6pm Dinner at 7pm

Racers are strongly encouraged to buy dinner tickets when registering CND$25/US$20.  Or buy additional tickets after registering. 

Dinner will be served by a spectaular and well respected local caterer with music and a no-host bar also provided.

Make sure to wear your Hawaiian shirts and outfits!!  Pirate hats and such are encouraged!

Top breakfast, lunch and dinner options include:

• Royal Vancouver Yacht Club's  "Star and Dragon" on the lower level has Lunch and Dinners all days, and Breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday only.  If you are going please let them know well in advance  and book a table at 604 224 1344. Credit and Debit cards accepted during the regatta for attendees.
• Breka Bakery and Cafe  3740 West 4th Ave, a 3 block walk from Royal Van Jericho Marina up Highbury street to 4th Avenue and turn left on 4th and it is on the south side of the street.  Open 24hrs and it is a local favourite.   They have excellent pre-made sandwiches for lunch and typically offer a selection of breakfast wraps and pasteries.    
• IGA Grocery store and a 6 block approximately 15 minutes walk from Royal Van.  It is located at 3515 West 4th Ave. This is a smaller grocery store that offers a wide selection of groceries.  They have a small deli with lunches.
• DD Pizza  Accross the street from the IGA above this is another local favourite.  Great ambiance for dining in.  Have a gluten free pizza that is good.  They deliver too.  604 736 7001,  3510 West 4th Ave.
• IRORi SUSHI  10 min walk from RVYC and offers excellent sushi at the corner of Alma and 4th on the south side.  3692 West 4th Ave.
• Taco Loco  If you would like to go a little further into Kitislano, try this favourite restaurant at 1965 Cornwall Ave.

• Uber available
• Taxi services available (Black Top and Yellow Cab)
• Regular bus service from 4th Ave
• Electric bikes are at the foot of Alma Street by the park.

In the unfortunate event of a medical emergency, we will endevour to have an Urgent Medical Assistance Doctor on site, Hayley Broker.  She will endevour to be available race days and can be reached by radio or cell 604 219-3440.

Ensure you understand your health insurance processes before travelling.

• RVYC Safety Plan is here

RVYC and KYC Crane Waiver

For non-Members using the RVYC or KYC cranes to launch or recover their boats at the event, they must first fill in and sign a Crane Waiver for either Club and submit it to the Harbor Master at RVYC or the Admin Manager at KYC. An RVYC Member has to be present when a non-Member is using an RVYC crane.

- RVYC Crane Waiver

Racing Articles 

• Why Left in English Bay - by Reto Corfu and Michael Clements
•  I Need Better Starts - by Michael Clements

Local Conditions

• English Bay Tides

This means that any boat on the Dry Dock at RVYC (or any boat in the water at RVYC that wants to scrub their boat bottom), must finish using the 2 cranes by about:

Before Low Tide

- 8:45am Friday (Practice Race at 1pm)

- 10am Saturday (regular races start at 10:30am)

- 11am Sunday (regular races start at 10:30am)

After Low Tide

Friday: 2:40pm

Saturday: 3pm (we will almost certainly still be racing)

Sunday: 3:20pm (probably still racing but getting close to wrapping up)

KYC boats don't have an issue launching.

• Jericho Wind
• WindAlert Map
• Big Wave Dave

The RVYC invites M242 crews to join in club racing on Wednesdays and the KYC invites M242 crews to join their racing on Thursdays.