The Young 88 class is the ultimate yacht class in New Zealand with high numbers of boats being raced in Auckland, Wellington and a very competitive fleet developing in the SouthIsland. Despite the different racing areas, a common theme is seen throughout the class of being cutthroat enemies on the water, but when we step off the boats, it becomes party time. Having raced in all three areas, I find it amazing how such a big fleet can all come together and have a good time after a long days yachting. It is something I haven’t seen much of in any other class.

Yacht racing is generally thought to only be about the on-water happenings. However, there’s so much more to it. Off the water is where it all comes together, it’s where comraderies are formed between crews, information is shared bringing the skill level of the fleet up, and large quantities of the sponsors' product is drunk. All the off-water activities almost exclusively go down at the famous 88 fleet parties. All the 88 fleet hubs have their different methods of partying, from the rum buckets in Auckland which I look forward to watching go down every regatta without fault, to the rowdy shed parties in Wellington, and the ‘how many yachties can we cram on the back of an 88’ mentality of the Christchurch fleet. All different, but all the same. Good people, good vibes, good rum pours, good cold beersies, and a bloody good time had.

The 88 fleet is also a very inclusive and inviting fleet to sail in and party with. Whether it’s being open to having youth sailors in the fleet like myself, or whether it's having after match functions with 88s from different clubs, or even taking the crew to a different city to have an inter-city battle. There’s nothing the 88 fleet will be stopped by in their mission to incorporating everyone and partying hard.

The most recent 88 fleet event, the Giesen Wines Waikawa Boating club new year regatta, saw two boats from both Lyttleton and Wellington, as well as one cruising, focused 88 in the cruising division. All five boats raced their hearts out and partied even harder long into the Friday and Saturday nights. The combination of having Lyttleton boats racing against Wellington boats saw the 88 fleet in it’s prime, including everyone in the party and social vibe. The yacht club was alive with 88’ers all around the place on Friday night and the house party hosted by 88% proof on Saturday night was well enjoyed by those who attended. Not only 88ers showed up to the house party, the class act of the regatta, the Elliott 780 Overspray, showed up with boxes of beers under their arms and joined in the fun. Lots of good banter and even more ice-cold beer was had that weekend.

The CHCH youth sailors that are relatively new to the fleet got a taster of life in the out of town party fleet, making them even more fizzing for Bay Week next week in the record fleet of 10 boats with some massive rum buckets on the drinks menu. There are so many reasons to love the Young 88 class, and partying… Well, that’s just one of the reasons.
- Isaac Armstrong -  Canterbury youth travellers squad

From the Editor: Just in case readers are wondering it is a competitive sailing fleet in the first instance and non-drinkers are welcome too