The Careel 18 and Careel 22 are built to race as well as cruise. Both yachts have enjoyed considerable success in mixed fleets but the main racing focus is class based within the Association. Racing is mostly confined to the Sydney region and races are held every month throughout the year on Sundays. There are separate fleets racing on Pittwater and Botany Bay. Yachts accumulate points on both scratch and handicap which means everyone has a chance of winning. Both yachts are governed by class rules and measurements which keeps down costs and equalizes performance.
An Annual Championship series of 4 races is conducted over one weekend in late summer or early autumn each year. C22 and C18 championships are held on separate weekends giving opportunities for C18 owners to crew on C22s and vice versa.
It's not even important to have the newest or most expensive boat to do well.
Most competitors are family members (at least they are at the start of the racing!).
For Pittwater racing, briefing and launching is from the Bayview ramps; at Botany Bay, competitors meet at Kyeemagh for pre race briefings after launching from the Cooks River ramp and raising the mast on the water (there's a low bridge in the way!).
For this season the Careel 22 championships will be held at Canberra over Easter and the Careel 18 championships will be held at Wangi Wangi on Lake Macquarie on 26-27 February. Please see the "Program" link from the home page for the full racing schedule.