length is.

Cruising Club of America race chairman Nick Schaus points out that that boats represent a total of 7,982 linear feet -- or more than mile if stretched end to end.

"Our goal was 8,000 feet,'' Schauss joked, adding that organisers were going to include the distinctive bow of the 68-year-old Mistress in order to surpass the total.

The biggest boat in the fleet is the 126-foot Parlay but by far the most impressive sight are the five striking new 70-foot maxis using the race as part of their IMS World Championship.