COGS The Cornwall Offshore Group Series

COGS was founded in 2001 to encourage offshore yacht racing along the Cornish South coast and has since grown to offer an Offshore series of five races, a Coastal series of six races and – new for 2024 – a trial of a three race Bay series within Falmouth Bay.

All races are run with a fleet for IRC boats and another for boats with a RYAYTC handicap. IRC is a more technical rating system usually preferred by the “designed-to-race” boats, whilst RYAYTC, designed for cruisers and cruiser-racers, is simpler and free of cost. Within these two fleets, boats also have the choice of entering either fully-crewed or two-handed, with separate scoring and prizes for each group.

The Offshore series can take you around the Eddystone lighthouse, cross-channel to Roscoff or L’Aber Wrac’h, on a tour of the principal SW lighthouses (The Trinity) or on the PASAB race out to the Scillies, round the islands and back. The Coastal series is made up principally of passage races along the Cornish coast between ports from Plymouth to Penzance. Depending upon conditions, these races are perhaps less demanding and appeal to a wide range of cruiser-racers typically from 25 to 40ft alongside the more dedicated racers. COGS is “proper” racing conducted in good spirit and crews thoroughly enjoy the hospitality of ports and yacht clubs along with their racing.

Recognising the time pressures that may limit participation in the longer races, for this year we’ve introduced a separate three race Bay series within the Falmouth area and the Dodman (including the existing Gull Rock Manacles race, which also remains within the Coastal series). These races start between Pendennis Point and Black Rock, in the entrance to Carrick Roads, and finish off Flushing Sailing Club and so, for Falmouth based boats, eliminate the need to position for the start, or return home from the finish.

COGS is unusual in that it doesn’t run it’s own races. Each race in the calendar is run by a different yacht club which gives each event it’s own distinctive flavour. We’re very lucky to have the support of many excellent clubs who give their time and facilities to enable our racing. Our grateful thanks are due to these clubs and also to our race sponsors.

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 COGS. Entering any of the series is simple and very good value, and we look forward to your joining us on the water in 2024.

Tim Rowley, Chair
Anthony Nathan, Vice-Chair