Race Schedule and Synopses

2026

April 25, 2026:  Triangle Race

Time: 1:00 PM

Get ready for a fast-paced afternoon on the water as Laguna Madre Yacht Club hosts the Triangle Race. With a multi-lap course, steady coastal winds, and tactical mark roundings, this race promises a fun challenge for sailors of all experience levels. Whether you’re racing for position or just enjoying a great day on the bay, it’s shaping up to be a classic LMYC event.

Course Details

• Start Line: Between Green Navigation Buoys G81 & G79
• Turning Marks:
• 1st Turn: LMYC Red Buoy set at 26° 4.610’ N, 97° 10.952’ W
• 2nd Turn: LMYC Red Buoy set at 26° 5.021’ N, 97° 10.987’ W
• 3^rd Turn: Green Navigation Buoys G81 & G79
• 3 loops around the course
• Distance: ~6.75 miles (as the crow flies)
• Finish Line: Between Green Navigation Buoys G81 & G79

Expected Conditions

Temperature: Mid-80s °F, warm and humid

Wind Forecast: Southeast winds 15–20 knots, with higher gusts possible

Seas & Swell: Moderate chop, 2–4 ft—wind-driven with short periods typical of the Laguna Madre and surrounding waters

Tides & Currents:

• High Tide: Likely mid-to-late afternoon
• Low Tide: Early morning hours
• Expect moderate current flow, especially near the channel and marks

What to Expect

·        Breezy & Fast: Expect a powered-up race with sustained wind—this will favor well-trimmed boats and confident helming

·        Choppy Conditions: Not ocean swell, but tight wind chop—crew balance and sail trim will matter

·        Building Breeze: Winds may increase slightly through the afternoon, making later laps more challenging

Race Strategy Highlights

• Reef Early, Sail Smart: Many boats may choose to reef before or shortly after the start to stay competitive and in control
• Upwind Legs Will Be Key: Southeast winds will make for longer, tactical upwind legs—watch your angles and avoid overstanding marks
• Downwind Control: With gusts, be ready for active helm and crew work on the runs
• Consistency Wins: Three laps means opportunities to recover—but also more chances to make mistakes

⚠️ Safety Notes

·        Gusts up to ~20+ knots—be prepared for sudden increases

·        Watch for fatigue over multiple loops in heavier wind

·        Secure gear and maintain clear communication onboard

·        Stay alert for other vessels and shallow areas near marks

Final Word

This is shaping up to be a classic Laguna Madre challenge—warm, breezy, and just enough chop to keep things interesting. Smart sailing, good crew work, and staying ahead of the wind will make all the difference.

See you on the line!

March 28, 2026:  Jack Up Rig Race

Time: 10:30 AM

Join the Laguna Madre Yacht Club for an exciting offshore race from the mouth of the Brazos Santiago Pass jetties to the offshore platform Prod Paragon Offshore-100-9 (the northern most rig), located approximately 10–12 nautical miles into the Gulf of Mexico.

This race offers a dynamic mix of nearshore and offshore sailing, with changing conditions that will challenge both seasoned racers and adventurous cruisers alike.

Course Details

·         Start Line: Brazos Santiago Pass (jetties)

·         Turning Mark: Prod Paragon Offshore-100-9 (26.2300° N, 96.9300° W)

·         Distance: ~20–24 nautical miles round trip (depending on course)

Expected Conditions

Sailors can expect a progressive build in wind and sea state throughout the day, making for a tactical and exciting race.

Temperature:

·         Morning (Start Time): ~72–75°F

·         Midday: ~76–78°F

·         Afternoon High: ~78–80°F

Comfortable sailing temperatures with mild humidity—ideal for a full day on the water.

Wind Forecast:

·         10:30 AM Start: ESE to SE winds at 8–12 knots

·         Late Morning: Building to 12–16 knots

·         Afternoon Return: SE winds 15–20 knots, gusts higher

Expect a lighter-air start transitioning into stronger, faster sailing conditions on the return leg.

Seas & Swell:

·         Nearshore: 1–2 ft, light chop

·         Offshore: 2–4 ft, moderate chop

·         Afternoon: Building seas with more defined wind waves

The return leg may feature following seas, offering faster runs but requiring careful steering.

Tides & Currents:

·         High Tide: ~9:30–10:30 AM (near race start)

·         Low Tide: ~4:30–5:30 PM

What to Expect

Outbound (Start):

·         Near slack current

·         Easier passage through the jetties

Return (Afternoon):

·         Strong outgoing current (up to 2–3 knots)

·         Wind against current at the pass may create:

o    Steep, stacked waves

o    Challenging re-entry conditions

The Brazos Santiago Pass will likely be the most technical part of the race.

Race Strategy Highlights

·         Start Smart: Light winds mean clean air and positioning are critical

·         Offshore Advantage: Stronger wind typically develops farther offshore

·         Mark Rounding: Watch for wind shadow effects near the rig

·         Fast Finish: Expect stronger breeze and faster speeds on the return

·         Plan Your Approach: The pass may be rough with opposing wind and current

⚠️ Safety Notes

·         Monitor VHF and maintain situational awareness

·         Watch for commercial traffic (shrimpers and offshore vessels)

·         Be prepared for changing conditions throughout the race

·         Reef early if needed—conditions will build

Final Word

As Cap’n Ron says:  “If it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen out there.”

Come prepared, sail smart, and enjoy a fantastic day on the Gulf!

February 28, 2026:  Moonlight Madness Race

Time: Sunset (approx. 6:30pm)

Information:  Boats will race from the start line (Laguna Madre Channel Lighted Buoy #4; red quick flashing 1 second light) out to the Farewell Buoy (Safe Water Mark) and back — a simple, classic out-and-back course that becomes anything but ordinary as daylight fades and the horizon shifts from gold to indigo.

This event is open to both sailboats and powerboats, so whether you race under canvas or cruise with horsepower, you’re invited to join the fun. (Please note: only sailboats will be officially scored for race results.)

When you see the Farewell Buoy in Port Isabel waters, expect safe navigable water all around it. As a mid-channel or fairway marker, it features a distinctive white Morse code “A” light flashing every 8 seconds and a red spherical topmark by day, signaling that vessels may pass on either side while remaining in the channel.

As visibility changes, crews will have the valuable opportunity to practice nighttime navigation skills in real conditions. This includes identifying navigation lights, maintaining proper lookout procedures, managing instruments and compass bearings, and safely rounding marks in low light. It’s a rare chance to build confidence transitioning from daylight sailing into dusk and early night operations.

With the race starting on a slack tide, crews can focus on sail trim, strategy, and reading the breeze rather than battling current — making it a perfect opportunity for both seasoned racers and newer sailors to sharpen their skills while gaining hands-on experience navigating after sunset.

Wind Outlook: Current long-range forecasts for late February around Brazos Santiago Pass indicate moderate southeast to south-southeast winds in the 10–15 knot range, with the possibility of slightly higher gusts earlier in the evening and lighter conditions after sunset. These conditions should provide steady racing breeze for the outbound leg, with a potential softening of wind as darkness settles in — adding another tactical element to the return trip. As always, crews should monitor updated marine forecasts as race day approaches.

Conditions During the Race: Flat seas with 1–2 ft waves, clear skies, and a bright full moon lighting the course. Winds held steady at 9–10 knots out of the East, making for long tacks throughout the race.

Notes: It was a beautiful night under a full moon—perfect conditions to be out on the water.

Results:

January 24, 2026:  Paddle Extravaganza!

Get ready for laughs, splashes, and a whole lot of fun at the Paddle Extravaganza! This lighthearted race launches from the Laguna Madre Yacht Club, heading east toward the swing bridge, looping around the sandbar, and back again. Any human-powered flotation is welcome—kayaks, paddleboards, rafts, inner tubes, inflatables… if you can paddle it, you can race it!

This is all about fun (not speed), getting members out on the water, and enjoying the sillier side of boating. Life jackets are required for all participants per Coast Guard regulations. Stick around after the race for a well-earned BBQ and good company. Come paddle, laugh, and make a splash!

Course: From the LMYC dock toward the Port Isabel swing bridge, around the sandbar, and back

Start Time: 11:00 AM

Conditions: A breezy day with winds around 10 knots. The channel’s surrounding buildings created a wind shadow, keeping conditions relatively calm for participants.

Participants: Caren, Mark N., and Mike K.  Bruce cheered from the dock and served as the official photographer for the day.

Results: Despite arriving late, Caren made an impressive comeback—overtaking the competition to claim first place. Mike K. finished second, while Mark N. came in third after being unable to fully circumnavigate the sandbar.

Fun was had by all!

2026 Overall Standings

Notes on Standings

The standings are calculated using a low-point scoring system (RRS Appendix A-inspired) for competitive races:

• Points = finishing position in each race (1 for 1st, etc.).
• DNF (did not finish) = number of boats that started the race + 1.
• DNC (did not compete) = number of unique boats in the series (5) + 1 = 6.
• Ties are broken by the number of first-place finishes, then second-place finishes, etc.
• Total unique boats:

2026 COMPETING BOATS

2025

SEASON RACE RESULTS

2025 COMPETING BOATS

2024

SEASON RACE RESULTS

2024 COMPETING BOATS

 2023

SEASON RACE RESULTS

COMPETING BOATS

• All