Laser Sailing


Local Regattas – Great Bay Yacht Club in Dover Point, NH hosts spring and fall Laser regattas.

2023 Regatta dates tentatively are:

    • Spring Regatta – May 20th, 2023
    • Fall Regatta –  September 30th, 2023

  • NOR will be posted when available

Need to brush up on your understanding of the Racing Rules of Sailing?  Try these games to see what you know.

For those willing to venture on their own or with friends, recommended launch sites in Seacoast area are:
  • New Castle  – the beach between the UNH/NOAA dock and the USCG station – free but limited parking at the UNH Judd Gregg Pavillion  
  • Rye Harbor –    Sandy beach on Route 1A between the State of NH Pavilion and State of NH Rye Harbor — weekend parking spaces are in high demand by kayakers, paddle boarders, local fishermen, beach goers, tourists, and those wishing to avoid the parking fees at the Pavillion. Be considerate of others and store your trailer in the brush
  • Kittery Point Town Launch Ramp – parking fees apply and there is very high demand and no room for your trailer on the weekends; week nights and weekday afternoons aren’t too bad but do not tie up a parking space with your trailer (BE CONSIDERATE of others!)

  • Other venues
    • Eastern Yacht Club in Marblehead has a Tuesday evening summer Laser series where non-members are welcome
    • Newburyport’s American Yacht Club has an alternating Sunday series (due to tidal issues)  contact Nat Coughlin natcoughlin98@gmail.com
    • South Portland public ramp at “Bug Light” Park – the city charges for parking but the lot and the ramps (launching and landing) are large and you have access to Casco Bay with reasonably consistent winds and a large area to sail
    • Hilton Park at Dover Point – excellent, free, and adequate parking, venue for the spring and fall annual Great Bay Yacht Club regattas.  Breeze is spotty, sometimes the breeze makes it up the river. strong current especially on the ebbing tide.
    Other Considerations 
    • The tidal current in the Piscataqua River is FIERCE.  Sailing in the early evening when the breeze dies and the tide is ebbing can be stressful and dangerous
    • With an ebbing tide and a strong southerly wind, there are standing waves near Wood Island and Nun “2” that afford competent sailors to practice sailing upwind and downwind in challenging waves.  Be respectful of the strength of the current !!