A Navigational History of the Scotch Bonnet Light Race

John Cake - May 2026
The Scotch Bonnet Light Race was first run in 1972.  It was 82 nautical miles of open water sailing and is still the same race it was 54 years ago.  What has changed however are the navigation systems available and used by the racers.  Of course we don’t know specifically what system each boat has used in each year but we do know generally what was available.  Initially the racers relied on dead reckoning to find the island and get back to Rochester. No one was permanently lost, but there is a story of one boat ending up in the Bay of Quinty!  Don Wolf told of once returning so late on Sunday that some club members got together to buy watches with calendar functions for Don and his crew so that next time they would know when to come home. Obviously, finding a tiny island after 40 miles of open water was a challenge.
Sometime in the early 1970’s Loran C became available on Lake Ontario.The system was based on time differences between radio signals broadcast from different antennas.  Paper charts were available with printed LORAN signal lines used in calculating location.  Early recreational receivers cost as much as $5,000 but soon dropped to $1,000.  Expensive, but they provided accurate positioning and were quickly adopted. The LORAN system faded into obsolescence with the development of GPS and was discontinued in 2010.
Currently racers are using GPS navigation.  The Global Positioning System was first fully operational in 1995 with 24 satellites but with a degraded signal for civilian use.  The undegraded system was made available on May 1, 2000.  Early receivers were costly, buly and hard to use but adoption was rapid and system costs fell along with improved electronics.  The introduction of smart phone technology integrated with digital maps, cellular networks and internet enabled devices have elevated GPS location capability into daily life on land and on the water.
At this time portable Starlink internet access is available to recreational boaters offering real time weather data and any other information boaters may want.  You can now cross the lake while watching your favorite sports team play or reruns of Sex in the City.
Also Automatic Information Systems are now fully implemented on commercial ships and available for recreational boaters.  It provides information on vessel identity, location, type, voyage, heading, speed and rate of turn. It has never been easier or safer to take on the challenge of the Scotch Bonnet Light Race.  Still the lake is still the lake and the weather is still the weather. The challenge still remains and you know you want to do it.  Registration is open.

2025 Video from Robert Lang

Apparel - Online preorders coming soon.

2026 poster (low-res)...

Scotch Bonnet is GOLD

from Emily Conklin Program Manager, Sailors for the Sea:
Congratulations! On behalf of all of us here at Sailors for the Sea, we'd like to award the Genesee Yacht Club our Gold Level Clean Regatta certification for the Scotch Bonnet Light Race. click here to learn more.

Jon LaRue flies in from California to Race on Waahuu, from Pultneyville Yacht club. He sent the following for the 2024 SBLR:
A great Scotch Bonnet this year. Thank you to GYC for hosting. Here is a pic I think you might like. I took it as we were rounding at about 4am. My phone must have done some kind of long exposure thing because it was pretty dark at that hour!

Tracking

The Scotch Bonnet Light Race has Real Time On Line Race tracking thanks to:

YB Tracking is the world leader in satellite based tracking and reporting. Bob Johnson Auto Group's support means there is no additional cost to competitors. Anyone in the world can follow the progress of the race through the internet, as it happens. For more information on this awesome technology see:

Perpetrual Trophies

Allen Trophy for the best corrected time of the entire Spinnaker Fleet
Giambra Trophy for the first monohull to finish, elapsed time
Stewart Trophy for the best corrected time of the entire Non-Spinnaker Fleet
Warren Miller "New Issue" Trophy for the first new skipper to finish on corrected time, Genoa Only course.
Founder's Cup for the first GYC yacht under 30' LOA to finish the regular course of the Scotch Bonnet Light Race
SBLR Ernie Coleman Memorial Trophy is awarded to the best performing yacht club in the Scotch Bonnet Light Race based on each club's top 3 finishing sailboats. To qualify, boats must be in divisions of at least 3 boats. In the event of a tie, among the boats involved, the club with the boat which has the best corrected time in the spinnaker fleet would be the winner.
See all of the past winners here Perpetual Trophy Winners - 2025 (PDF)

Live Music at the Sunday Picnic by Special Blend. Check them out at Special Blend.