MARBLEHEAD — If you’re the type who likes to spend Sunday afternoons motoring around New England looking for old car shows, Timmy Dittrich of Swampscott urges you to change it up a little.
For this weekend at least, says Dittrich, why not try old yachts.
That’s right. Old yachts.
The 20th annual Corinthian Classic Yacht Regatta will commence at noon Saturday just off Chandler Hovey Lighthouse, and will begin two days of racing that features around 50 of the most classic yachts that were built “back in the golden age of sailing,” Dittrich says.
“This is just a great assembly of vintage yachts,” said Dittrich, who, along with with Bruce Dyson, is co-chairing the event.
“You’ll see yachts that were built in the golden age of sailing,” Dittrich said. “You don’t have opportunities to gather yachts like this very often. The Corinthian Yacht Club is very proud to have them this weekend every year. If you love going to vintage car shows, or appreciate vintage automobiles, this is the equal on the water.”
The course could range from 13 to 20 miles, depending on the wind and weather conditions. Boats are expected back to the finish line by 4 p.m. both days.
Dittrich says some of the yachts that will race in the regatta are more than 100 years old at this point. They range in sizes from 28 to 76 feet. Included in that spectrum is Dittrich’s, who will sail a 33-foot 1939 International One-Design (IOD).
The regatta is presented by Panerai, an Italian manufacturer of high-end luxury watches. The company has been presenting the event for five years.
This weekend’s regatta is the first leg of the Panerai North American Challenge, with the grand prize at the end of the month being a watch to the winner (is one of four associated with Panerai, with the winner, to be determined at the end of the month, receiving a new watch by the manufacturer and presenter.)
“They are coveted by connoisseurs of watches,” said Dittrich.
Other races are in Nantucket and Bristol and Newport, R.I.
The regatta is the latest of what has been a busy stretch for the Corinthian, which is fresh off being the host club of the Race Week regatta that concluded July 30.
“It’s been a busy time for yachting in Marblehead,” said Dittrich. “But it’s been a seamless transition. It’s been very nice.”
Included in the weekend is the Corinthian Classic Yacht Parade, which begins at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Fort Sewall.
Assembly begins at 10:15 off Fort Sewell, and the harbormaster will lead the boats along the route, and Corinthian patrol boats will help guide.