Yachts need to make reservations now for a berth in Bermuda after the 2008 Newport Bermuda Race. The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club marina is already 70% full with five months left before the June 20th start. Organizers expect the fleet to be close to the record 264 boats entered in 2006.

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“We are very pleased with the early interest in the race and the huge number of advanced reservations for berths at the Yacht Club,” said Commodore Ralph Richardson. “We expect to be full, and hope that the Royal Hamilton Dinghy Club up the harbor will be full as well.  We are trying to accommodate some of the one-design classes like J-44s and NY Club 42s as groups so those yachts should certainly get their reservations made early.“

“The Newport Bermuda Race is always an exciting time in Bermuda,” Richardson continued, “and her people welcome all of the sailors, families and friends with our unique island hospitality.  We hope to have plenty of activities planned for non-sailors to help them enjoy Bermuda while waiting for the sailors to arrive.”

Ninety-five boats have made reservations so far, according to RBYC marina manager James Barnes. “We can accommodate around 140 to 145 boats in total,” Barnes said.  As of mid-January, we have a total of 95 reservations for this year’s race.”

Of the 95 boats with RBYC reservations for 2008, 41 are boats that did not race in 2006.  Participation Chairman Richard Shulman, who expects a near record fleet, looked over the reservation list and commented, “My impression from the emails that I have received is that we are going to have a large number of first timers this year – and that correlates with what you are seeing from the dockage info. That is obviously a good sign.”

As of mid January, the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club has seven berth reservations.  Their marina can hold around 100 boats, depending on size and draft. Both marinas were full in 2006.