-- with a number of significant modifications, officials announced yesterday.

The changes, unveiled by race committee chairman Jack Braitmayer, include the establishment of two navigation divisions - celestial and electronic -- and the allowance of one Category 2 crew member per yacht.

The committee was also seriously considering changing from the IMS handicapping system to the new Americap system, he revealed. A final decision is expected in April.

The race -- a fun but competitve event for families and friends -- is designed for cruising yachts and prohibits the use of spinnakers. It combines the navigation challenges of getting out of Buzzard's Bay, typically a thrash to windward -- sometimes against the tide -- with getting to the Island.