COGS The Cornwall Offshore Group Series 2026

COGS is proper racing conducted in good spirit with an emphasis on fun and enjoyment. This has been an essential part of the COGS formula since our inception and, with races starting and finishing in different ports, crews thoroughly enjoy the hospitality of the local yacht clubs alongside their racing.

Our races are run by different yacht clubs which gives each event its own distinctive flavour. We’re very lucky to have the support of many excellent clubs who give their time and facilities freely to enable our racing. Our grateful thanks are due to all these clubs and also to the wide range of local businesses that sponsor our race series.

The Offshore Series races all include an overnight passage and can take you around the Eddystone lighthouse, cross-channel to Roscoff or L’Aber Wrac’h, out to Wolf Rock and back, or out to the Scillies, round the islands and back on the PASAB race. Last year we added a very popular race to Salcombe, which is retained for our 2026 season.

Our Coastal Series is made up of four daylight passage races along the Cornish coast between ports from Plymouth to Penzance, and two long daytime circular races. Depending upon conditions, these races are perhaps less demanding than the offshore races and can offer an ideal opportunity for those new to racing to experience COGS. Our racing is suitable for racers of any experience, from novices to national champions, and we are always pleased to help newcomers with advice or in finding skippers and crews. Plans are also well advanced to introduce more formal race training aimed at helping cruising sailors to feel confident to come racing.

Although we attract a few state of the art racers, the majority of COGS participants are cruiser/racers of around 24-40 foot. It has become apparent in recent seasons that the YTC handicap is increasingly unsuitable for our diverse range of boats, so the 2026 season will run under the more accurate IRC handicap system. This will enable us to run two IRC classes giving fairer, closer and more satisfying racing than was previously possible. Boats have the choice of competing either fully-crewed or short-handed (solo or crew of two) with separate scoring and prizes for each group.

Our entry fees are very modest and – new for 2026 – we are offering a significant discount to attract younger entrants. So, whether your preference is to race hard or to enjoy a “cruise with an edge”, and if your boat likes to stretch it’s legs beyond a short round-the-cans course, we’re confident that you’ll enjoy racing with us. Entering COGS is simple and we look forward to you joining us on the water in 2026.