Etchells Racing at RBC - Photo courtesy of Mark Thomson
Russell Boating club has a small but very active fleet of Etchells racing at our regular events. This fleet has quickly grown during the last couple of years to around 9 boats at last count. If you wish to join our fleet or want help with purchasing your own boat please contact our Etchells coordinator
About the boat
Designed in 1966 by Skip Etchells, Etchells are an affordable one design keelboat racing class. The class rules are strictly controlled by the International Etchells Class Association. The Fibreglass hulls are made from certified moulds by only a handful of manufacturers worldwide. There is often a good range of 2nd hand boats available so if you would like help with locating or purchasing an Etchell then please contact our Etchells coordinator.
Yacht Specifications
LOA - 9.5m
LWL - 6.7m
Beam - 2.13m
Draft - 1.37m
Displacement - 1,508kg’s
Total sail area - 27.6m2
Etchells Challenge Trophy
The Etchells Challenge Trophy has been established to promote Etchells sailing at the club. Here its how it works.
This annual Trophy will be awarded to the Etchells at the end of the season with the most points.
Points will be awarded for participation in any, and every club and interclub race. (Including ladies’ races but excluding Tall Ships, any coastal races outside the bay and the Winter series).
The number of points will depend on the number of Etchells participating in each individual race and will be awarded based on their finishing position, excluding other non-Etchells yachts. To be eligible, the skipper must be a paid-up member of the Russell Boating Club and have paid their racing fees.
Regatta NoR is now available - Online entries are open
The Russell Boating Club Sailing Committee announces the 2026 Bay of Island Etchells Cup Regatta. This event is open to all Etchells class yachts.
Online entries will be available between 15th December and 22nd February 2026. Please read the event Notice of Race (NoR) before entering online.
The Russell Boating Club Sailing Committee will confirm entry eligibility once your entry fee has been received.
The Sailing Instructions (SI’s) will be available approximately one week before the event.
The Regatta Briefing starts at 0930 on the first race day at the Russell Boating Club. Attendance is mandatory for the Skipper or a crew member.
The first race warning signal is at 11:30hrs on each race day. The event Officer of the Day will attempt to hold 3 races daily. If three or more races are sailed, a yachts series score will exclude her worst result.
Prize Giving is at 18:30hrs on Sunday, 9th March, at the Russell Boating Club where the BOI Etchells Cup will be presented to the winning boat.
