Ditchley Growler Invitational Race/Party

The FBYC Cruising Division invites FBYC Members and guests to the September 20th Ditchley Cider Works Cruise/Race/Party, on Dividing Creek, near Kilmarnock, Virginia (Northern Neck)

Come by car, power boat, or proper sailing yacht—all are welcome. 

What: Cruise/race to an historic, veteran-owned 162 Acre Ditchley Cider Works/Farm/Venue, Kilmarnock, VA.  Enjoy the grounds, drinks, dinner, friends and an optional manor tour.   Meet hosts Kathy, Paul, and Pam. Experience the Northern Neck .   Party in the shadow of Richard (the Immigrant ) Lee, at a former Dupont summer retreat..

When:   Main event is Saturday September 20th, afternoon/evening.   

Where: By Land: Ditchley Cider Works, 1571 Ditchley Rd, Kilmarnock, VA 22482  

               By Sea: About 0 .4 NM past Dividing Creek R10. For more details, see below ***

Cost: * Dinner $55/person Beef, $50/person Chicken, Manor house tour $10

               *includes salad, entree, veggie/starch and dessert.

Anchorage/Docks:    Lots of sheltered anchorage with good holding bottom near DCW dinghy dock and beach.  Limited dockage for small power boats may be available.

Saturday Schedule:

                                      1600 FBYC directed Shore Activity (Details in works)*   We will have Corn Hole setup near the Party tent.

                                     1800 (6 PM) Open Bar/appetizers/ Growler Cup Awards in party tent

                                     1830 (6:30 PM) Dinner in party tent

                                     Main House Tour After dinner (While others continue to party)

  * Enjoy the grounds, including a self-guided tour of the Historic Graveyard, apple picking, relaxing on beach or under the party tent. Meet the resident Belted        Galloway bovine and pigs. We are exploring activities like Croquet or Corn Hole on the expansive lawn.

Ditchley Growler Race will strictly adhere to “Wee Dram” racing rules of sailing. Racers will record their own start and finish times and may sail on Friday or Saturday.  Winner(s) will be computed via sophisticated handicap algorithm. The awards will be awesome.

Start: Pass between the marks, when both are Abeam, record your starting time to nearest Second if possible.  Nearest minute is good enough.

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Finish: Pass within 200 Ft of RN "2" Record Time, Nearest Second is good, but Minute is OK 

 Note that there's no requirement to "race".  If you do intend to race , please send us your PHRF rating.   We will use Wee Dram ratings where available.

The Ditchely voyage/"race"  is on again this year. Note: You may start any time after
7:00am on Thursday, Sept 18 2025. 

“Rules”:
1. Entry Fee – None--but you must sign up
2. Non-spinnaker, single head sail.
3. All crew are to overnight aboard (like the old days). Grab a sail bag to sleep on.
Please check fbyc.net for most current updates/changes.

DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY Competitors participate in any race or regatta entirely at their
own risk as instructed in RRS, Rule 4, Decision to Race. The organizing authority will not accept
any liability for material damage or personal injury, or death sustained in conjunction with or
prior to, during, or after the race or regatta.

Sunday:   No formal activity.  You may want to stroll the grounds and/or have Brunch in the party tent (check DCW Sunday Schedule) or simply enjoy the beautiful anchorage with friends.

The photo below shows the main venue. A large party tent (not in photo) now stands between the Manor House and Cidery and will be party central.

 The left channel in this photo leads to the DCW dock/anchorage.  Prentice creek is on the right. See Google Earth photo at bottom of page for overview, including dock, beach and anchorage.

DCW, opened for business in 2018, is a small veteran-owned and operated maker of hard apple cider, producer of pork, beef, and poultry products, and venue for group events and experience visits.

For more info of DCW please visit:  https://www.ditchleyciderworks.com/about-us

Additional information, including anchorage and dock details will come later.