Again, friendly comraderie and assistance ended at the starting line as the cannon sounded the one-minute warning, then the start. Anyone who has seen this knows the dramatic drill. From dead in the water with anchors down, competing sloops simultaneously hoist hooks and raise sails. It appears to be a mad scramble as the crew pulls frantically on lines, but the effort is timed so that anchors and sails are raised in coordination. Each boat hopes to catch the first breath of wind, perhaps to break from the line and steal the breeze from a competitor.
Strict rules govern the races.
Competing boats must be designed, built, owned, skippered and primarily crewed by Bahamians. Overall length must be 28 feet, three inches or less. Sails must be canvas with a single mast. Hull and mast must be wood. No vertical transoms.