This spring, the Mattapoisett Yacht Club will start a new sailing program to bring together sailboat owners and interested participants who are interested in sailboat racing.

The first meeting for boat owners and potential crew will be held at the Mattapoisett Library downstairs meeting room, May 17 at 10 a.m.

Boat owners will learn the basics of sailboat racing such as how to register a boat, Performance Handicap Racing Fleet (PHRF) and Portsmouth handicapping, different racing divisions, race course basics, start and finish protocol, getting crew and Mattapoisett Yacht Club racing events.

Interested boat owners and potential crewmembers should email Bob Warren at bob@massbiofuel.com before the May 17 meeting.

The club, started in 1901, has two signature nights of racing throughout the summer. Tuesdays are ensign one design class and Wednesdays are PHRF Series, which features three classes of handicapped boats over 20 feet and Portsmouth handicap for small boats, including Herreshoff and Bullseye.

Racing begins at 6 p.m. and usually last one to two hours (sunsets are included.) The starting area is just outside Mattapoisett Harbor with full spectator viewing from Ned's Point. Typically after a race, gatherings are held at the clubhouse or the local watering hole. Visit www.mattapoisettyc.org for the calendar of racing and social events.