Exciting Events at Newport Shipyard 2017

Magnificent yachts, with masts rising 15-25 stories high will be heading north to the 'City by the Sea', Newport Shipyard, in New England after the America’s Cup in Bermuda in June for an exciting schedule of events over the coming months.

Newport Shipyard is located in downtown Newport, Rhode Island, and was rescued from bankruptcy in 1998 by the Dana family and other investors. Today it operates as a full-service shipyard and superyacht marina, organzing and hosting a number of high profile yachtng events.

Events scheduled for 2017 include:

Newport Charter Yacht Show: 19-23 June, 2017

The Newport Charter Show is a four-day trade-only show in its 34th edition organized by Helly Hansen. The Show is the only one of its kind in the US dedicated exclusively to yacht charter professionals, agents, owners, brokers and captains. Visitors will have the opportunity to see an exquisite collection of world class yachts for charter, ranging from 60- 225 feet, with plenty of social events and shoreside activities. 

Photo: Billy Black: Newport Charter Yacht Show 2016

Bacardi Newport Sailing Week

Bacardi Newport Sailing Week is presented by EFG Bank and returns to Newport from 23-25 June 2017 for a week of sailing and shoreside festivities. Established in 1927 in La Havana, Cuba, the even remained there until 1962 when the Bacardi family moved both the business and the sailing cup to Miami.

The Newport edition of Bacardi Sailing Week, now in its seventh year, is based on the successful Miami format with continued support from Bacardi and EFG Bank, along with professionals from Newport Yacht Club and Sail Newport.

Yachts including Star, Viper 640, J/70, VX One, VX Evos, Diam 24s, A-Cats and classic day racers will compete over three days on the waters of Narragansett Bay. On shore there will be numerous fun Bacardi events and Havoc 305 will be putting on a live show for sailors and locals. 

The Candy Store Cup 2017 Superyacht Regatta

The Candy Store Cup 2017 Superyacht Regatta is organized by Newport Shipyard and Bannister's Wharf and takes place from 27-29 July 2017. The event transitioned from the former Newport Bucket and will see a dozen of the world’s grandest sailing yachts over 90 feet competing off the shores of Newport.

Photo:Rod Harris: Meteor, the 170’ schooner owned by Dan Meyers, competes in the 2016 Candy Store Cup.

 “There was an infectious camaraderie in the air as sailors from around the world renewed old friendships, but the real story was the spectacle on the water as superyachts such as Adix, Meteor, Columbia, Zenji and Ranger unfurled their sails off Castle Hill to begin racing. In true Bucket tradition, it was a jaw-dropping sight.” said Newport Shipyard’s Owner Charlie Dana after the 2016 race.

"The 2016 Candy Store Cup knocked the ball out of the park," said Dan Meyers, co-owner of the 52m yacht Meteor. "It was the perfect mixture of everything – great venue, professional race management, and the social side was FUN in all capitals." Meyers said.

Major players in the superyacht industry including Royal Huisman, Perini Navi, Vitters and Rybovich, remain sponsors of the Candy Store Cup, alongside supporting sponsors North Sails, Sentient Jet, Willis Towers Watson and Southern Spars/Future Fibres.

The Inaugural J Class World Championship

Photo:Mark Krasnow: Ranger (J5) off Newport, R.I. 

The elegant J Class yachts, known for their unforgettable participation in the America’s Cup from 1929-1937, will enjoy their first J Class World Championship on from 21-26 August, with a mix of coastal races and windward leeward racing off Newport, organized by the New York Yacht Club in association with the International Maxi Association and the J Class Association.

Hosted by New York Yacht Club in collaboration with the JCA and the IMA, at least six Js are expected to start in this inaugural edition: JK7 Velsheda, J5 Ranger, JK6 Hanuman, JH1 Lionheart, J8 Topaz and JS1 Svea.   

Billy Black:  Newport Shipyard on the Newport waterfront 

Located at 1 Washington Street, Newport Shipyard offers first class amenities to captains and crew including a dockside café, ship store, fitness center, courtesy vehicles, crew housing and more. It owns and operates four marine travelifts, one of the which (500 MT) is the largest in Newport.