The award-winning Top of the Gulf Regatta is hosted by Ocean Marina Yacht Club – the largest marina in South East Asia and premier yacht facility in Thailand. Held annually since 2005, find out why you should be joining hundreds of other sailors and yachts at this year's Top of the Gulf Regatta (27 April to 1 May, 2018).

1) Close And Competitive Racing
Top of the Gulf Regatta has earned a reputation for providing international standard race management and close and competitive racing across all classes with racing often going down the wire – the above photo, shot last year, is a good example of how close the racing is in the one-design Platu Class, when just a few seconds separated the top four finishing boats.

2) Make A Holiday Of It
Pattaya is easily accessed from Bangkok and just 15 minutes away from Ocean Marina Yacht Club is the U-Tapao Rayong-Pattaya International Airport which has seen an increase in the number of international flights, the latest being Qatar Airways from Doha.

Once in Pattaya there is so much to do for crews and families. Either side of the regatta you can explore the stunning coastline and offshore islands, quiet coves and idyllic beaches, while onshore you can enjoy a visit to a vineyard, enjoy Thailand's best waterparks, visit temples and explore the excellent dining options, all of which are nearby Ocean Marina Yacht Club.

3) Inclusive Regatta – Racing For All
Top of the Gulf Regatta was established to promote sailing, Pattaya and the Gulf of Thailand. To this end, the regatta has always attracted a diverse range of boats from optimists and dinghies to one-design Platus, cruisers, IRC yachts and multihulls. There's even a radio controlled class which is expected to number more than 20 entries this year.

Sailors that take part are also varied ranging from youngsters in the Optimist and dinghy classes to past Olympians and regional champions, sailing pros and weekend sailors. The event caters for all on and off the water and is a great place to enjoy some fun and competitive racing in a warm and friendly environment.

4) The Après-Regatta Scene
Regattas in Thailand are famous for their onshore parties and Thai hospitality is second-to-none. At the Top of the Gulf Regatta we do things a little different. Rather than a ballroom or indoor party, each evening sailors and friends gather on the lawn outside Ocean Marina Yacht Club to discuss the day's action and more.

In fact, the yacht club is at the heart of the social scene with daily prize-givings taking place on the lawn as well as select free-flow drinks for participants, and happy hour prices at the bar.

The regatta finishes with a sumptuous gala dinner under the stars right on the marina front hosted by Ocean Marina Yacht Club.

5) Safe And Secure Marina Home
Step onboard your yacht in the marina and tie-up to the dock when you return, there's no better way to race a regatta. All keelboats and multihulls will be allocated a wet berth at the award-winning Ocean Marina Yacht Club for the duration of the regatta, giving you peace of mind knowing your yacht is safe and secure.

For the dinghy classes, all boats will be stored onshore at the club and will be launched either at the adjacent beach or in the marina, making Top of the Gulf Regatta the safest and most convenient regatta for sailors of all ages and abilities, and yachts of all sizes.

To view the NOR, click HERE. 
Entries can be made online now, click HERE.  

Photo by Guy Nowell.