The race starts in southern Lake Huron near Port Huron, Michigan. It finishes at
Mackinac Island, Michigan.

The boats start leaving the Black River in Port Huron around 8 a.m. on race day and will
continue leaving until around noon. From the Black River, they will proceed up the St.
Clair River, under the Blue Water Bridge, into Lake Huron.

The first scheduled start time in Lake Huron is 11:30 a.m., with starts every ten minutes
until approximately 1:30 p.m. The starts may be delayed due to weather conditions, lack
of wind, or storms.

Spectators may visit www.bycmack.com during the race and click on “RaceTracking”
link to watch real-time GPS positioning of all the race boats or on your mobile device
download the free app YB Races and select the current race.

Boats will start arriving at Mackinac Island on Sunday afternoon and continue until
Monday evening, all dependent upon the wind.

Finishes can be seen from Windermere Point on Mackinac Island at the south end of
Main Street.

Results will be posted and updated on the website as they become available.

The Cove Island Course is 259 nautical miles (298 Statute miles).
The Shore Course is 204 nautical miles (235 statute miles).
The 1925 Original Course is 204 nautical miles (235 statute miles).

Shore Course – The fleet will head north from its traditional start in Southern Lake Huron
along the Michigan shoreline before heading west, passing north of Bois Blanc Island,
and finishing east to west at the finish line between Round Island and Mackinac Island.

Cove Island Course – The fleet heads north from its traditional start in Southern Lake
Huron up Lake Huron through a virtual gate off the tip of the Bruce Peninsula in
Canadian waters before heading west, passing north of Bois Blanc Island, and finishing
east to west at the finish line between Round Island and Mackinac Island.

1925 Original Course – From its traditional start in Southern Lake Huron, the fleet will
head north on one course along the Michigan shoreline before heading west, passing
south of Bois Blanc Island, and finishing west to east at the finish line between Round
Island and Mackinac Island. (The original course started three nautical miles south of
the current one, off Lake Side Park, Gratiot Beach. As the race gained participants,
the starting line was moved to its current location to accommodate the required starting line
length and sufficient depth over its entire length.)

Southampton Course – DESCRIPTION TO BE ADDED

Six Fathom Bank Course – Only run in 1939, this course…..TO BE ADDED

Please submit a Race Information Request,  Request for Information, found on the race website under the
Competitors tab, Registration header, if you have not raced in the race as a Boat
Owner. 

Please review the Notice of Race (NOR) on the website under the Competitors tab,
Official Board, and Documents.

Please refer to the Notice of Race on the race website under the Competitors Tab,
Official Board, and Documents.

The Race Invitation will be sent out to Invited Competitors via e-mail one day before the
opening of Race Registration.

Please check the website regularly for all news and updates on the race. Official race
documents are posted on the website under the Competitors tab, Official Board, and
Documents.

The Safety Equipment Requirements (SERs) are updated every year.

Please check the website under the Competitors tab, Official Board, and Documents

There is no minimum age requirement to participate. The Boat Owner is responsible for
ensuring that the crew is of proper age and has had enough experience to safely
participate in this offshore long-distance event. Please refer to the Notice of Race and
Safety Equipment Requirements for any minimum distance and overnight experience
for some of the crew

The Race Committee reserves the right to withdraw your invitation if it determines that
the crew does not, in the Race Committee’s judgment, have the necessary seamanship
and skills for the race.

There is a “Crew/Boat Finder” List on the website, under the Competitors Tab, and
Registration header, for you to sign up and/or find help. Please check this area
regularly, as it is updated often with new entries.

The first Bayview Mackinac Race took place in 1925. The Race has occurred every
year since, even through World War II and the Corona Virus Pandemic.

The first Bayview Mackinac Race was won by a 32-foot sloop named Bernida.
Skippered by Russ Pouliot, Bernida crossed the finish line at Mackinac Island in 48
hours, 49 minutes, and 49 seconds.
The 12 competitors experienced a blustery contest that left all but four boats damaged
and only six finished.

Sailors who have completed 25 Bayview Mackinac Races are called “Old Goats,” while
those who have completed 50 are called “Grand Rams.” The official designation and
recognition is made by application to the Society of Mackinac Island Old Goats, Detroit.
Applications can be found on the website under the About tab, Societies header.

Double Goats are sailors who have completed 25 Bayview Mackinac Races and 25
Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac Races.

Volunteers who have served for 15 years on the Race Committee are honored with the
title “Old Forts,” as designated by the Race Committee.

Please contact our Sponsorship Committee at sponsorship@byc.com

The 2026 Race Chair is Mica Reardon, mackchair2026@byc.com

The 2027 Race Chair is Bob Eger, mackchair2027@byc.com