Governing Rules

The HAMILTON BURR REGATTA shall be governed by a Charter that provides for an Annual Notice of Race posted publicly for the competitors at least eight (8) days prior to the match. Until adoption of a full Charter, the regatta shall be governed according to the following principles:

Racing

Annual match race on the Hudson River, featuring three flights of duels between Columbia and Princeton sailing teams:
  • Fleet One: Veteran Duelists (J105)
  • Flight Two: Young Alumni/ae A (J24)
  • Flight Three: Young Alumni/ae B (J24)

Venue

Racing takes place on the Hudson River off Weehawken (the site of the duel). For those on the New York side, this generally equates to the waters off West Chelsea

Date

Annually in September on the first Saturday after Labor Day weekend, as mutually agreed in the Deed of Challenge signed in April of each year.

Schedule

11:30: Competitors meet at Hudson River Community Sailing ("HRCS")
12:00: Skipper's Meeting & Honorary Duel (coin toss for boats)
12:30: Harbor Start (Racing teams take the course)
13:00: Spectator boats depart from HRCS
13:30: First Gun
16:00: No start after this time
16:30: Return to Shore
17:00: Fying Pan bar opens (reserved section)
17:30: Awards Ceremony
21:00: After Party Begins (Frying Pan)

(...Rumors of Dance Parties...)

Boats

Each school picks the “weapon” (the boats) in alternating years:
  • Odd Years: Columbia 
  • Even Years: Princeton
There is no restriction on what boats are selected, so long as the design meets the following requirements:
  1. Sufficiently seaworthy for sailing on the Hudson
  2. Evenly matched pair
  3. In good operating condition
  4. Capable of being sailed by an amateur crew (none with helmets)

Course

Mutually agreed upon marks between Weekhawken Cove and Chelsea Piers, subject to the following conditions:
  1. Surrounded by navigable water
  2. Fixed position
  3. Free from substantial boat traffic
The teams are otherwise free to establish unique and novel courses, provided mutual agreement. The final course will be approved no later than 60 days in advance of the race.

Spectators

Fellow sailors and supporters watch the event either on the water, or from the award-winning new new park on the river. We will provide spectator launch for Regatta Sponsors and those registered in advance (subject to available space).