April 17, 2026:
We are pleased to announce that the NCASA National Championship registration platform on Yacht Scoring is now open. Please make sure you register early as it helps us plan. Most importantly, please make sure you order your social packages when you register- at least a conservative number of known attendees on your team if not your whole group. Similarly, please be sure to order your team t-shirts before June 1st to get in on this year’s order. The Deadline for timely entry is June 1st — see the NOR for your reference.
Our planning committee has been working diligently this winter on logistics and social activities for the even and are excited to bring you another awesome event! Additionally, with all of your help (Thank You!), we will have some new Mark-bots to play with—the Race committee is very excited as are we!
For information on launching and trailer storage please see the additional info document. Please note that the Torch Lake Yacht and Country Club (TLYCC) launch site is very tight and offers just enough turn space and overhead clearance to accommodate the fleet however, if you have opportunities to launch and moor elsewhere, please do as tings will be quite snug. Room will be made at the club no matter what, but tender boats will be restricted to launching not later than 2 hours before Race time and after all A Scows are in and off the ramp. There will be overnight trailer parking in a designated field not far from TLYCC and will be clearly marked. This can be used for your empty trailers and tenders that get pulled out each day as only A Scows will be allowed on property.
Now to the fun stuff!
Hannah Noll will back with us capturing our event and telling our story! We are excited to have her with us once again!
This venue offers incredible racing conditions as the size of the lake is immense and the crystal-clear water in late June promises great opportunities for Racing. Our Nationally acclaimed PRO Mark DeGuire will guide us through the effort along with his team who will run the Mark-bots and work the RaceSense system.
The official notice board will be held on our Yacht Scoring site.
RaceSense
We will be utilizing the Vakaros RaceSense Starting System as per the last several regattas. Each entered yacht will need to provide a working Vakaros Atlas 2 unit to eligible to compete. You will need to check your unit in at registration and get it programmed for the event.
Schedule and Social
As usual, we have two parties planned on probably the most beautiful venue on the planet. If you’ve not been to Torch Lake, imagine standing on a white sugar sand beach surrounded by deep cerulean blue water as the TLYCC club and grounds are situated on a sandy point. Then imagine you and your team hanging with the whole Fleet at two kick-butt beach parties (one a dinner party and the other cocktail party) you will be transported to the Caribbean or South Pacific. Sunday, post haul out, we will have lunch during the awards presentation. Please make sure you order your social packages upon registration so we can insure we order enough food and libation for all!
Racing will take place Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with planned starts will be 11 am on Friday and Saturday and 10 am on Sunday at the discretion of the PRO.
We are offering event performance fabric t-shirts for sale—they need to be ordered when you register. They will be drop shipped to you when they are complete. These are top quality garments and will remind you for years to come the fun we had in Torch Lake Michigan!
If you have questions on anything—including staffing your boat, please do not hesitate to call or email myself or Mary Johanson. We are greatly looking forward to and expecting your inclusion in this special event!
Registration Link: 2026 NCASA Annual Championship – YachtScoring.com
Questions- Contact:
Mary Johanson- Email: coachmaryjohanson@gmail.com / Phone/text: 734-660-4442
Todd Haines- Email: trhaines115@gmail.com / Phone/text: 414-881-4119
As always, we’re excited to see you all again at this year’s National Championship at one of our most impressive venues! If you need assistance with anything at all, please do not hesitate to reach out!
Todd R. Haines
Executive Director
National Class A Scow Association
W330S3000 County Rd. G
Dousman, WI 53118
414-881-4119
v115@mailbag.com
www.ascow.org
The 38 foot (11.58 meter) Class A Scow is the largest, fastest, and most powerful inland scow sailboat. Originally designed in the late 1800’s by John O. Johnson of Johnson Boat Works (White Bear Lake, MN) the boat retains the same shape and size as the original boats. With the move to fiberglass and carbon construction, the addition of a bow sprit and a massive asymmetrical spinnaker, combined with a carbon fiber swept-spreader rig, the class is stronger than ever.
Today’s A Scow, produced by Melges Performance Sailboats of Zenda, WI, has all the modern, sophisticated rigging and gear (from the good folks at Harken) needed to make this unbelievable boat simply rock on the water. Powered by the latest sail designs, able to pull water-skiers, and having been clocked at over 25 mph in a good blow, the A Scow is a worthy challenge for even the most experienced sailors. Unlike keelboats of this size, the A Scow uses only dual bilge boards for stability and thus requires a skilled crew of 6 or 7 people to keep her upright in heavy air.
We hope you will explore our website and see what makes the A Scow so much fun!
A Scow Events
2026 A Scow National Championship Regatta – Torch Lake, MI
Set-up and Check-In Date: Thursday June 25, 2026
Race Dates: Friday June 26 – Sunday June 28
Location: Torch Lake Yacht and County Club, Bellaire, MI
Registration: Yacht Scoring Site
Official Event Website: NCASA
2026 ILYA Annual Championship Regatta – Lake Minnetonka, MN
Race Dates: August 9 – 12, 2026
Location: Minnetonka Yacht Club
Registration: ClubSpot Site
Official Event Website: ILYA
Future Venues:
2027 A Scow National Championship Regatta – TBD
Set-up and Check-In Date: always the Thursday after Father’s Day
Race Dates: Always the Fri-Sat-Sun after Father’s Day.
