sailboat racing san francisco bay

SailGP set to make waves in San Francisco with millions at stake

By virgil aspen • published july 12, 2024 • updated on july 13, 2024 at 2:11 pm.

SailGP, an international sailboat racing circuit, backed by Oracle founder Larry Ellison and well-respected sailor Russell Coutts, is set to host its final, championship races in the San Francisco Bay this weekend, with the grand prize for the winning team amounting to $2 million.

The competition, whose founder Ellison was once quoted professing his love for the "idyllic independence" of sailing and has been touted as Formula One on the waves by Coutts, was founded in 2018 with the hopes of taking competitive sailing beyond cloistered country clubs and propel it into the mainstream.

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"What we're seeing is [that] this isn't the avid sailing fan that's following SailGP, maybe 10% of our audience is that. It's really the racing fan, the general sports fan, and it's also the people that are interested in the backstory of our athletes," said Coutts in a Friday interview with CNBC , adding later that he doesn't feel it would be unreasonable for teams to be selling for $80 million price tags sometime in the next year.

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This tidal wave of success can be attributed to a number of factors, but by far, the sport's most profound sea change has been the advent of F50 catamarans, sailboats capable of navigating the waves at highway speeds, velocities long thought impossible by sailors in years past.

"[Our sailboats are] above the water, not in the water, and our goal is to stay flying as long as possible," said Peter Kinney, a California native and sailor for the United States' SailGP team.

SailGP's rising current of broad appeal can be attributed to other factors as well, namely its inclusivity to women and its commitment to sustainability . On its website, it says that the organization is "...racing for a better future and believe sport has the power to change the world."

San Francisco as a location was a perfect fit for a climactic race in the eyes of the organizers.

"San Francisco is really the best racetrack. The breeze is consistent, and the sailors love it," said Alex Reid, SailGP's director of performance engineering. Others, such as Team USA strategist Mike Buckley, describe the Bay as "one of the most beautiful places in the world to sail."

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These favorable conditions, combined with such a large prize being on the line, leaves confidence high that each team involved will be in close competition all the way through, as sailors try their hardest to be the first to surge across the finish line.

"We're expecting the race to be tight, exciting, racing on the edge," Buckley said.

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Last call for 2024 rolex big boat series.

Registration closes August 31.

For sailors who’ve competed in Rolex Big Boat Series over its 60-year history, “It’s the most fabulous event there is, period," according to Chris Perkins, who’s raced it since the 1980s and is the 2024 Commodore of event host St. Francis Yacht Club.

Commit to the 2024 Rolex Big Boat Series

Lock in our special hotel deal for competitors, book your dock space + skip the late entry fees of August

SAN FRANCISCO, CA— For many skippers there’s no hesitation when it comes to registering for Rolex Big Boat Series, now in its 60th year at St. Francis Yacht Club. “San Francisco Bay with its challenging conditions and beautiful scenery, is a combination that makes this one of the best regattas in the world in terms of venue and activities,” said Barry Lewis, owner of the J/120 Chance.

New Website & Hotel Sponsor, Plus Early Entry Ends Soon for Rolex Big Boat Series hosted by St. Francis Yacht Club

For six decades, Rolex Big Boat Series has been at the forefront of the latest and greatest in competitive yachting. Balancing tradition with progress, this legendary West Coast regatta continues to embrace a spirit of evolution, showcasing the latest in fleet technology and race management.

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Racing in the San Francisco Bay and Offshore

The San Francisco Bay is known throughout the world as a mecca for sailboat racing. Year round sailing,  challenging and exhilarating wind and water conditions and a venue of unparalleled beauty makes racing in the San Francisco Bay phenomenal. If you are a multihull owner who wants to start racing, BAMA is here to help you get started .

BAMA's Premier Annual Event: The Double Handed Farallones Race

The Double Handed Farallones Race is BAMA's signature annual mixed-fleet race event. Click here for a full webpage describing the race's history, information about the course, and recent race results.

The course has racers starting in the early morning off Baker Beach, rounding the Farallones in either direction, and then finishing off the Golden Gate Yacht Club race deck. Covering a total distance of 54nm, the conditions for the DHF can be challenging, testing a double handed crews stamina and seamanship. The race requires that participating boats meet the NCORC's offshore safety requirements, and requires that participating sailors study offshore safety topic and practice person overboard recovery prior to the race.

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BAMA Sponsored Multihull-Only Races

The Jack Reacher Race & Raft-Up is BAMA's annual no-pressure fun race. An easy and fun way to get started racing, the Jack Reacher Race features a simple all-reaching course, followed by a raft-up in Clipper Cove with the other entrants. The race is FREE, an you don't need a ratings certificate. We encourage you to bring the family or sailing friends!

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How to Start Racing your Multihull

• Get your RATING from BAMA (see below)
• Learn the basics of the Racing Rules of Sailing
• Crew on another Multihull in a race
• Sign up for a beer-can race at a local yacht club and become comfortable with the starting line
• Sign up for a larger Regatta and race with more competitive fleets (See our Calendar )

Getting your Multihull Rating from BAMA

BAMA issues PHRF Handicaps for multihulls to race in the San Francisco Bay Area, Monterey Bay and Lake Tahoe at the request of the YRA PHRF Committee (NCPHRF) using their rules and guidelines with US Sailing guidance. BAMA PHRF Handicaps are determined relative to boats in the local Bay Area multihull fleet, using One-Design & National Association guidelines where they exist, other regional data, local race results and Rating Rules as applicable.

BAMA uses Texel (NDL, AUS, DEN, CSA), SCHRS (World Sailing), MOCRA (UK) and Multi2000 (FRA) Rating Rules for multihulls over 15 feet. The Rating may be used to calibrate the initial PHRF Handicap.

BAMA recommends that multihulls & monohulls should not be scored in the same section or division in any competitive event in alignment with US Sailing PHRF.

Initial PHRF Handicaps will be considered provisional in nature for boats new or unfamiliar to the committee. These handicaps may be reviewed and perhaps changed after one season or a series of races has transpired.

The BAMA PHRF Handicap Committee may decline to handicap any yacht for which it feels unable to determine a potential speed.

BAMA policy requires that all documentation be submitted prior to issuing a PHRF Handicap. No handicap will be given over the phone or without full documentation having been made available to the entire committee.

The Committee may invalidate a Certificate at any time where cause is in evidence such as incorrect dimensions or where other than declared equipment is used. Due process will be exercised to allow the owner to be heard and corrections made if the owner, in the view of the Committee, provides justification.

A new or updated Rating Certificate is required if:

• You are new to the fleet; or
• It's a new racing season. You must renew your rating every year on this BAMA website; or
• Your boat is modified during the year, including but not limited to new sails, new rudder, centerboard or daggerboard, the addition of lifting foils, or other modifications that would materially change a boat's displacement or performance.
• Download the rating data form sheet here .  This PDF form shows all the data that you will need to successfully apply for a rating with BAMA. If you are having trouble finding the information required, contact the BAMA Rating Chair with your question for assistance. [email protected]
• Apply for and purchase your rating certificate here .  BAMA uses a web based form that you fill in to apply for your rating. Before you open the form and start filling it in, make sure you have collected all necessary information in step 1 above.
• Get your boat weighed by the Ratings Committee. Admittedly, this step is not as easy as the first three, but BAMA strongly recommends weighing your boat for an accurate rating and will assist you with this process. In the absence of an accurate weight, the Rating Committee will assume that your boat's weight is equal to the lightest similar boat in its database, which may negatively impact your boat's rating. If you want your boat weighed, please indicate such when sending your supporting documents to the Race Chair (Step 3) and the Race Committee will assist you with this process.

Applications typically take 2 – 4 weeks to review before a certificate will be issued if no additional information is requested.

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International sailing competition comes to SF Bay, bringing economic boost

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Thousands of people are converging on San Francisco this weekend to watch giant high-tech sailboats from around the world race on the bay at super high speeds. The United States Sail Grand Prix is returning to the Bay Area for its third year at a time when local tourism officials say it's needed most.

If you have a need for speed, check out the adrenaline pumping sailboat race on the bay, known as SailGP. It's where 50-foot catamarans or 'F50s' almost fly across the water, so close to shore.

"It amazing to watch these hydro foiling rocket ships, which hit 60 mph," said SailGP's Laura Muma.

This weekend, the SailGP season three grand final is matching nine sailing teams from around the world.

MORE: SailGP teams from 8 countries vying for $1 million prize in San Francisco Bay

"It's the Super Bowl of our league. Stakes are high and competition at the highest level," said Mac Agnese from Team USA.

"This is one of the most knowledgeable cities for sailing and racing. All teams love coming back, especially those who were here for America's Cup. In many ways, it's a homecoming," Muma said.

Thousands of sailing enthusiasts are coming to the Marina Green to watch.

"The commentary is excellent. The vibe is excellent. We're getting into sailing. It's an exciting time for the sport," said Erwin Naido from Toronto.

MORE: Caught on Video: Shark jumps on fishing boat in New Zealand

The event comes at a crucial time -- when SF is trying to revive tourism -- post-pandemic.

"San Francisco is still struggling to recover from pre-pandemic levels of tourism, is off 25% of the number of visitors who come here. Business travel is down. People are not working in their offices, so events like this really make a difference, because they bring people into town," said Joe D'Allesandro, SF Travel president and CEO. .

The economic boost is welcome, just like strong winds for the competing sailors.

The final race happens on Sunday. The winning team gets bragging rights and $1 Million dollars.

If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live

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2024 sailing events in san francisco, california.

Sailing Save-the-Dates for San Francisco Bay 2024

Known as a sailing mecca the world over, San Francisco is home to hundreds of sailing events every year. From community boat parades and regattas to the latest innovations in the yacht racing world, you can see it on the Bay. Check out this list and mark your calendars to experience these sensational events that bring the local sailing community together on land or onto the Bay. Some of these event dates are "TBD" (to be determined), but we will continually update this page as event dates are announced.

To experience or participate in some of these events aboard our sailing yachts, keep an eye out for Club Sails on event dates at our two locations in Sausalito and Berkeley.

• View the Modern Sailing Club Sails schedule  here . 

Three Bridge Fiasco  - Saturday, January 27, 2024

The Three Bridge Fiasco hosted by the  Single-Handed Sailing Society  takes place right outside of the  St. Francis Yacht Club . Racers compete single- or double-handed to round three buoys or temporary marks representing the three major bridges of the San Francisco Bay; the Golden Gate Bridge, East Bay Bridge, and Richmond-San Rafael Bridge. This race is an annual event regularly attracting more than 300 yachts and teams from all over the Bay Area. 

Enjoy this video clip of Modern Sailing School & Club's owner and CEO, Captain Leigh Hunt and sailing instructor and Captain Jimmie Marquez as they attempted the 2020 socked-in, strong-ebbed regatta. 

Destination Chartering and Sail Tahiti 2024 Information Session - Thursday, February 8, 2024

Join Modern Sailing Global Destinations in our Sausalito conference room for antipasto, fine wine, craft beer, and refreshments while your trip leader, Captain Robert Bivin, presents detailed information on the exciting Sail Tahiti 2024 - The Society Islands of French Polynesia itinerary, boats, travel considerations, and more.

Thinking about an international charter vacation of your own? Consider yourself invited and come pick our captains' brains! At the end of the presentation, there will be a Q&A session during which you'll have the opportunity to ask questions of our expert captains about chartering out of the Society Islands or just about any sailing destination worldwide.

We invite anyone who is considering a sailing vacation or destination charter to attend. In addition to learning about sailing Tahiti, you will have the rare opportunity to learn from the experts about chartering abroad and ask questions of captains who are familiar with many popular worldwide charter destinations!

There is no cost to attend, but please RSVP so that we can ensure there will be enough seating and refreshment for everyone.

DATE: Thursday, February 8, 2024, 5:00 - 7:00pm LOCATION : 2330 Marinship Way, Suite 100, Sausalito, CA 94965

Latitude 38 Crew List Parties - Spring and Fall

Check for updates on  Latitude 38's virtual crew list page . 

These parties, hosted by our favorite maritime news outlet,  Latitude 38 , occur twice annually . Hosted by the  Golden Gate Yacht Club  from 6:00 to 9:00 PM, the event is a meet and greet for Bay Area Sailors (crew and boat owners), featuring stunning views of the Bay, and a live life raft launch from Sal's Inflatable Services. $10 cash at the door or $5 for ages 25 and under with ID.  Learn more . 

Advanced First Aid/CPR for Mariners Course , April 6 - 7 and October 5 - 6 (Sausalito)

Maritime Medical Guides is coming to Sausalito June 10-11 and Oct 14-15th, at the Spaulding Center, to offer Advanced First Aid/CPR for Mariners. Cost is $375. The class is US Sailing Accredited, meets World Sailing Offshore Special Reg. (OSR 6.5) and is also valid for USCG Merchant Mariner credentials.

International Ocean Film Festival  - April 12 - 14 (Cowell Theatre, Fort Mason Center, SF)

Learn about the ocean, its inhabitants, the people who play in it, and people who work on it at the International Ocean Film Festival. Each year the IOFF aims to save the oceans one spectacular film at a time by inspiring viewers to become the voice of Earth's largest organ. 

Svendsen's Spring Fling Show - April 12 - 13

In Alameda at Svendsen Marine's third annual Spring Flow Show, you'll meet top sailing and boating brand representatives and explore Svendsen's 20,000 square-foot store for the best deals of the year on your boating and sailing gear! There are also raffle giveaways happening all day long. Download free tickets to claim your show swag bag. Visit springflingboatshow.com for information and tickets.

Opening Day on the Bay - Sunday, April 28

Celebrate the official beginning to the San Francisco Bay sailing season with fellow sailing enthusiasts! 2024 marks the 107th annual celebration kicking off the start of the boating season in the Bay Area. From the blessing of the fleet in Racoon Straits to the parade of decorated boats, Opening Day on the Bay is one of the premier sailing events of the year. Dating back to 1917 and organized by the Pacific Inter-Club Yacht Association , the parade sails from the shadows of the Golden Gate Bridge to just past Pier 39. Any vessels can take part as long as they register beforehand. The procession regularly features tug boats, clean-up boats and tour boats, with visitors and spectators onboard. Judges are on hand to dish out prizes for the décor and imagination of the colorful vessels.

Remain subscribed to the Modern Sailing weekly newsletter email for Opening Day on the Bay Parade Club Sail announcements so that you can join in and participate in this spectacular event. If you're not already subscribed, subscribe to our weekly newsletter here .

Pacific Sail & Power Boat Show  - May 16 - 19

The Pacific Sail & Power Boat Show is one of the West Coast’s premier boat shows, featuring new sail and cruising power boats, gear, hardware, seminars, and interactive workshops. It will be held in Redwood City at Westpoint Harbor.

Jazz and Blues by the Bay  - Friday Nights this Summer

Enjoy late summer nights and the smooth tunes of jazz on land or from the water. Hosted by Sausalito Parks and Recreation, Jazz and Blues by the Bay is a community event focused on park enjoyment and music appreciation. During the summer, these weekly Friday night concerts occur in Gabrielson Park overlooking Richardson Bay and the Sausalito Yacht Club mooring balls. Modern members can book a boat to enjoy the tunes and sunset, or join one of our Jazz and Blues by the Bay Club Sails .

The Master Mariners Annual Regatta - Memorial Day Weekend

Hosted by the  Master Mariners Benevolent Association , a San Francisco yacht club that dates back to 1867, the Master Mariner's Regatta is an exquisite event showcasing wooden tall ships from all over the Bay Area. In contrast to the modernity of SailGP, regatta boaters and spectators will have the opportunity to experience the historic heritage of sailing innovation at its finest.

One Ocean Film Tour on  World Oceans Day - June 8

The One Ocean Film Tour is a world-class series of ocean-loving films focused on adventure, the aquatic environment and inspirational stories.  The tour was created in 2020 with the vision to increase awareness about ocean protection and conservation by sharing films made by people who have dedicated their lives to the ocean and all her glory. One Ocean Film Tour is a spectacular visual journey in itself. Join us! Immerse yourself in the mighty power of One Ocean!

Summer Sailstice  - June 22

Celebrate the year's longest day and the start of summer on the "Sailstice." Organized by Bay Area sailor John Arndt, this event is a global affair that brings sailors together to celebrate their favorite pastime - sailing. Participation in the Summer Sailstice event is free. All you have to do is slip the lines, hoist your sails, and head out to your favorite body of water on a sailboat. Modern Sailing members can participate in Summer Sailstice by chartering a boat or joining a Club Sail.  Share your Sailstice plans for a chance to win epic prizes from sponsors such as North Sails, Navionics, American Sailing Association, US Sailing, and more!

Master Mariner's Wooden Boat Show at Corinthian Yacht Club - June 23

The Annual Wooden Boat Show is one of the highlights of the San Francisco sailing season, and one of only a few West coast wooden boat shows.

Open to the public and generously hosted by the Corinthian Yacht Club in Tiburon, this unique event is an once a year opportunity to enjoy one of the most beautiful Yacht Clubs in the world, and dozens of the most elegant and delightful traditional sailing boats from the Bay and beyond. We'll let you know as soon as show dates are announced.

Independence Day Celebration - Tuesday, July 4

Celebrate America's independence on the water! Charter a sailboat or join a Club Sail to watch the multitude of fireworks shows around the Bay Area from the water. See our Member Resources article Best Places in SF Bay to See Fireworks by Boat . 

SailGP San Francisco   (F50 foiling catamaran races) - July 13 - 14

There are a few ways to witness the exciting action of F50 foiling catamarans zipping and splashing around the Central Bay: (1) watch the race from shore by buying  tickets from SailGP . Modern Sailing club members can (2) charter a boat or (3) join a Club Sail to watch from the water. This year we are having two SailGP Club Sail spectator boats heading out from Sausalito and Berkeley each day of this event! 

A West Indies Odyssey 2025 Information Sessions - Thursdays, September 5 and 12, 2024

Our next Global Destinations flotilla is set for April 2 to 12, 2025 amidst two idyllic islands of the Caribbean West Indies! With the experienced captains of Modern Sailing as your guides, your 10-day journey begins at St. Lucia, a scenic island rich in British history. Sailing north to French Martinique and back, each of the stops along the way offer vibrant waters, verdant landscapes, and vivid flavors. Sailors will have the opportunity to explore the colorful blend of European culture, quintessential Caribbean charm, and the picturesque natural beauty that define the region. This sailing voyage promises a fusion of history, culture, and adventure on the Caribbean Sea.

Join a Trip Information Session to Learn About This Flotilla!

Enjoy snacks and beverages as our Trip Leaders, Captains Robert Bivin and Jeff Cathers, present information and answer your questions about the flotilla itinerary, boats, and travel considerations.

Cabin and bareboat sales will open to the public immediately following the Sausalito Information Session.

Rolex Big Boat Series  and J/88 Nationals - September 12 - 15

The Rolex Big Boat Series is a four-day regatta founded by the St. Francis Yacht Club in 1964. The annual event attracts competitive racing teams and big racing boats from all over the state, nation, and world. Thousands of racers and hundreds of boats take to the Bay each day of the race, competing for first place and the Rolex watch that comes with it. MSC club members can bareboat charter or join a Club Sail to witness the excitement from the water.

Island Yacht Club Women's Sailing Seminar - September 27 - 29

IYC's 3 days of sailing, learning and fun includes in-person and streaming seminars and keynote speeches, food, drink, and no-host cocktail hours, giveaways including t-shirts and totes, and an amazing raffle drawing! Stay tuned for more details as we approach September.

Fleet Week  - October 2 - 8

The grand finale to summer in San Francisco, Fleet Week, celebrates the United States Navy allowing civilians to tour warships while their sailors tour the city. The week begins with a parade of ships progressing to free concerts, educational events, and family fun. Fleet Week's grand finale is a two-day air show over the Bay featuring the Blue Angels of the United States Airforce, the F-35 Demo Team, a demo from United's largest airplane, and several internationally known performance flight teams. The best seat in the house for these shows is from a boat on the Bay - keep an eye out for our Club Sails that weekend. 

Fleet Week Boating Safety

Sausalito Lighted Boat Parade - December 7

Spark the spirit of the season with holiday lights, music and fireworks on the water! This special event is a holiday tradition in Sausalito and across the Bay Area. Every year, we enter two of our club boats in the parade and our hard-working fleet staff decorate them for our members and guests to participate in this magical experience. With the sounds of holiday music and cheering spectators, you and your guests will be dazzled by the spectacle of decorated boats and fireworks. An enchanting and memorable event to kick off the season, even the grinchiest of sailors will be unable to resist the holiday cheer.

Do you know of any other San Francisco Bay Area sailing events? Let us know and we'll add it to this list!

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Testimonials.

Every aspect of Modern Sailing - training, syllabus, course materials, quality of the boats, quality of the instructors, and the very friendly and helpful staff - exceeded my expectations. Modern Sailing has a first class sailing program in an environment with challenging winds and currents. I look forward to coming back to charter a boat and certainly plan to continue my sailing training.

I would like to compliment Stan Lander for his coaching, counseling and teaching Heavy Weather Offshore Sailing. Stan was very accommodating to all of the student's interests and shared his many years of insight on handling the boat in heavy seas. I would certainly recommend Stan and this course to sheltered waters sailors. My confidence in handling a boat of this size was certainly enhanced by the experience.

Since many, many years, I had the dream to sail underneath the Golden Gate bridge. On October 14th last year, my dream became true. Thanks to our dear friend Aaron Fritz who made it possible and organized this cruise for us. With this adventure I was able to achieve one more milestone on my sailing career.

Finally on the water, it was great! Full moon made the flows even stronger and it was like sailing in a washing machine.

I did my sailing education in the English Channel, where the situation with the wind and flows is comparable to the San Francisco Bay. So I felt pretty much "at home" being on the helm in the Bay.

I hope our skipper Stan Lander enjoyed this day cruise too. We, definitely did! It was an unforgettable experience for all of us.

A very big thank you to all of you who made it possible, that my dream became reality! Also thank you for the MSC flag I got at the end of the day. It found it's place in my study, where I can see it daily.

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Local News | Photos: Some of the world’s fastest sailboats…

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Local News | Photos: Some of the world’s fastest sailboats will be on San Francisco Bay for SailGP races this weekend

F50 catamarans are capable of 60 mph speeds.

SailGP’s eighth and final event of Season Two takes place Saturday and Sunday, with activities centered around the St. Francis Yacht Club near Crissy Field.

Jimmy Spithill, the U.S. SailGP Team CEO and driver, is best known for masterminding the 2013 America’s Cup comeback in San Francisco.

“Yes, we have qualified for the final, but time has shown that anything can happen. The team has rallied, yet I believe we are still the underdog,” Spithill said.

Though there are plenty of free viewing areas, limited tickets remain for premium on-land viewing near Marina Green or on-water experiences to see the action unfold on the bay between the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island. Racing begins at 2 p.m. each day. For more information, go to the SailGP website .

Click here if you have trouble viewing the photos on your mobile device.

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Diversified Melges 24 World Championship 2024 Convexity Dominates as Conditions Intensify on San Francisco Bay

21 August 2024—San Francisco, CA, USA -  Day 2 of the  2024 Diversified Melges 24 World Championship  brought a thrilling change to the leaderboard as Don Wilson’s  Convexity  secured three consecutive bullets, breaking away from the fleet and taking a commanding lead.  The San Francisco Yacht Club 's organization, combined with the iconic conditions of San Francisco Bay, set the stage for a day that will be remembered.

Race Day 2 - 2024 Diversified Melges 24 World Championship San Francisco

PRO Mark Foster  and his Race Committee delivered three challenging races in conditions that tested even the most seasoned sailors. The wind shifted from 200° to 210°, building from 12-14 knots to a gusty 18-20 knots, with gusts reaching up to 24 knots. The upwind legs took 18-20 minutes on the 1.4 NM course, while downwind sprints were completed in just 8 minutes. The first two races started cleanly, but the final race of the day saw a general recall due to the tide turn, leading to the use of the U flag.

Don Wilson’s  Convexity  dominated the day, winning all three races and extending their lead with a four-race victory streak. Coach  Michael Rehe  attributed their success to maintaining boat speed, minimizing mistakes, and a bit of luck. "The boys did a great job out there and got the best out of it! Once again, San Francisco Bay delivered," Rehe remarked. He emphasized that they will continue to fight until the last day: "It's never over until it's really over."

Interview with Michael Rehe

Meanwhile,  Bora Gulari ’s  Kingspoke  maintained consistent top-three finishes (2-3-2) and holds the runner-up position, just 4 points behind  Convexity .  Peter Karrie ’s  Nefeli  (7-6-5) also stayed competitive, securing a solid third place overall.  Brian Porter ’s  Full Throttle , a ten-time Melges 24 US Champion and World Champion from the 2013 San Francisco Worlds, climbed to fourth after a strong showing in today's second race.  Anthony Kotoun ’s  Stepping Razor  continues to hold fifth place, while 2024 Melges 24 US National Champion  Geoff Fargo ’s  Sentinel  is currently in sixth after securing a third-place finish in Race 6.

Corinthian Division Highlights

In the Corinthian division,  Mataran 24 , helmed by  Ante Botica , took the lead after a series of strong finishes.  Ivo Matic , owner of  Mataran 24 , shared insights on how sailing in San Francisco Bay differs from their home waters in Croatia. With a 6-point lead over early Corinthian leader  Kent Pierce ’s  Average , the reigning Corinthian World Champions are proving they’re the team to beat.  Duane Yoslov ’s  Looper  also remains in the hunt with consistent performances.

Interview with Ivo Matic.

With  Convexity  sweeping today’s races and tight competition in the Corinthian division, tomorrow promises more excitement and drama on the water.

Back ashore, sailors returned to the warm hospitality of The San Francisco Yacht Club, with stories of the day’s challenges and victories. The Bay Area Charters team provided title sponsor Diversified guests with on-the-water commentary aboard a luxurious Axopar37. After racing, Diversified’s guests enthusiastically led the "Beer Boat" efforts, distributing daily rations provided by Open Water and Trumer Pils for the final journey from Angel Island back to the SFYC docks.

Special guests for the daily awards included  David Liebenberg  of the Paris 2024 US Sailing Team (Nacra 17) and the SFYC Junior Board, led by Junior Commodore  Morgan Frymier.  Liebenberg offered behind-the-scenes insights from both the regatta and his life as an Olympic athlete. Team  Convexity  was recognized for their outstanding three-race win streak, while  Ocean Pearl  CAN 015 received the daily OCS award, taking home a Ronstan Clear Start sailing watch.

Thursday’s schedule includes two races, with the first warning signal at 11:25 AM.

Top 10 after 5 races:

• USA 868 - CONVEXITY - Don Wilson (3, 1, 1, 1, 1) - 7 points
• USA 820 - KINGSPOKE - Bora Gulari (1, 3, 2, 3, 2) - 11 points
• GER 859 - NEFELI - Peter Karrie (2, 2, 7, 6, 5) - 22 points
• USA 849 – FULL THROTTLE - Brian Porter (4, 7, 3, 2, 14) - 30 points
• USA 619 - STEPPING RAZOR - Anthony Kotoun (5, 5, 11, 13, 4) - 38 points
• USA 856 - SENTINEL - Geoff Fargo (6, 13, 8, 10, 3) - 40 points
• ITA 865 - BOMBARDA - Andrea Pozzi (7, 4, 12, 4, 13) - 40 points
• USA 830 - STRAIGHTARROW - Chelsea Simms (13, 10, 5, 8, 7) - 43 points
• USA 829 - RAZA MIXTA - Peter Duncan (14, 8, 6, 9, 6) - 43 points
• USA 869 - FLYING JENNY - Sandra Askew (10, 14, 9, 11, 10) - 54 points

Top 3 of the Corinthian division:

• (12) CRO 649 - MATARAN 24 - Ante Botica (20, 6, 18, 5, 12) - 61 points
• (13) USA 549 - AVERAGE - Kent Pierce (9, 15, 13, 12, 18) - 67 points
• (16) USA 855 - LOOPER - Duane Yoslov (12, 12, 19, 18, 16) - 77 points

Full results   Diversified Melges 24 Worlds 2024 website and Official Notice Board   Photo galleries  © Zerogradinord ; © Peter Lyons ; © Helen Galli  Videos and interviews

Duane Yoslov's LOOPER and Chelsea Simms' STRAIGHTARROW - 2024 Diversified Melges 24 Worlds 2024 San Francisco

2024 Diversified Melges 24 Worlds 2024 San Francisco

David Liebenberg of the Paris 2024 US Sailing Team (Nacra 17) congratulating team CONVEXITY's coach Michael Rehe - 2024 Diversified Melges 24 Worlds 2024 San Francisco

The San Francisco Yacht Club - 2024 Diversified Melges 24 Worlds 2024 San Francisco

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Diversified Melges 24 World Championship 2024 at San Francisco Yacht Club - Day 2

• Full results
• Diversified Melges 24 Worlds 2024 website and Official Notice Board
• Photo galleries -© Zerogradinord; © Peter Lyons; © Helen Galli
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2024 Melges 24 World Championship in San Francisco – Day 1

20 August 2024—San Francisco, CA, USA –  After three days of registration, boat inspections, and sail and equipment checks, the  2024 Diversified Melges 24 World Championship  on San Francisco Bay is officially underway. Returning to this windy venue after ten years, anticipation was high, and the  San Francisco Yacht Club  is ready to deliver a regatta to remember.

Race Day 1 welcomed teams from Croatia, Canada, Germany, Italy, and the USA with sunny skies. As forecasted by  Will Paxton  during  Quantum’s Weather Briefing , it was the warmest day of the week, setting the stage for a heated day of competition. The Race Committee, led by  PRO Mark Foster , executed two races, and the action didn’t disappoint.

In Race 1, class stalwart Bora Gulari and his crew—Norman Berge, Nick Ford, Carlos Robles, and Charlie Smythe—got off to a strong start, leading from the first upwind mark to the finish line and securing the first bullet of the championship for  KINGSPOKE  team. In Race 2, they finished 3rd, while Peter Karrie’s  NEFELI , with a mixed German-Italian crew, demonstrated impressive consistency by finishing 2nd in both races.

Don Wilson  and his  CONVEXITY  crew—Jeremy Wilmot, Ted Hackney, Tomas Dietrich, and Ian Liberty—had a stellar first day, scoring a 3rd place finish in Race 1 and clinching the bullet in Race 2. Wilson praised the great breeze and expressed satisfaction with their performance, noting,  “Anything can happen; there are a lot of great teams here, and we’re taking it one day at a time.”

CONVEXITY  now holds the early lead, but with the top 3 teams tied at 4 points, the competition is only heating up!

The Corinthian division is equally intense, with two teams tied at 24 points. Kent Pierce’s  AVERAGE  posted a 9-15, while Duane Yoslov’s  LOOPER  scored 12-12. Meanwhile, reigning Corinthian World Champion from Croatia, Ante Botica’s  MATARAN 24  is just 2 points behind with scores of 20-6 (26 pts).

Despite being less familiar with San Francisco’s challenging winds,  Pierce  and his crew—David Ryan Eastwood, Eric Stokke, Claire Hunt, and Tristan Richmond—are embracing the challenge and looking forward to the stronger winds forecasted later this week. Pierce also noted the unique weather patterns in San Francisco Bay, which could lead to unpredictable conditions, stating,  “We like weird. When things get weird, we get going.”

With such tight competition in both divisions, tomorrow’s races are sure to bring even more excitement.

Sailing on the outer course, the Melges 24 teams were welcomed back to the harbor by a beer boat, kicking off the post-race festivities on the water.

The 2024 Diversified Melges 24 Worlds was honored to have Team USA’s  Daniela Moroz  join us this evening for the Day 1 prize giving. Moroz, a 6-time Women’s Kite Foiling World Champion and 4-time Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year, recently finished 4th in her division at the Paris Olympics. During her remarks, Moroz shared valuable insights from her Paris 2024 experience and reaffirmed her commitment to pursuing gold at LA2028, declaring she has “unfinished business.” The Melges 24 fleet responded with thunderous applause, and we’re all excited to cheer her on in LA!

Tuesday’s schedule includes three races, with the first warning signal at 11:25 AM.

Top 10 after 2 races:

• USA 868 – CONVEXITY – Don Wilson (3, 1) – 4 points
• USA 820 – KINGSPOKE – Bora Gulari (1, 3) – 4 points
• GER 859 – NEFELI – Peter Karrie (2, 2) – 4 points
• USA 619 – STEPPING RAZOR – Anthony Kotoun (5, 5) – 10 points
• ITA 865 – BOMBARDA – Andrea Pozzi (7, 4) – 11 points
• USA 849 – FULL THROTTLE – Brian Porter (4, 7) – 11 points
• USA 856 – SENTINEL – Geoff Fargo (6, 13) – 19 points
• USA 829 – RAZA MIXTA – Peter Duncan (14, 8) – 22 points
• USA 830 – STRAIGHTARROW – Chelsea Simms (13, 10) – 23 points
• USA 549 – AVERAGE – Kent Pierce (9, 15) – 24 points  CORINTHIAN

Top 3 of the Corinthian division:

• 10. USA 549 – AVERAGE – Kent Pierce (9, 15) – 24 points
• 12. USA 855 – LOOPER – Duane Yoslov (12, 12) – 24 points
• 14. CRO 649 – MATARAN 24 – Ante Botica (20, 6) – 26 points

Full results

Diversified Melges 24 Worlds 2024 website and Official Notice Board

Photo galleries

Videos and interviews

About The Melges 24  – Best known for elite-level competition, the Melges 24 is a modern sport boat and the global leader in high-performance, one-design keelboat racing. Winning ‘Boat-of-the-Year’ when first launched in 1994 by Sailing World magazine, the Melges 24 raised the bar and set a new gold standard in performance keelboat racing. In 2024, the International Melges 24 Class has 900+ boats sailing competitively in 20+ countries on five continents. The World Championship is the pinnacle of the annual race schedule. Learn more at  www.melges24.com

Facebook: @World.of.Melges24 Instagram: @worldofmelges24

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San Francisco Bay Sailing Tours on USA 76

With breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Sausalito and the San Francisco Cityfront, the SF Bay is a beautiful place. Additionally, with sunny skies, steady winds and mild temperatures, the Bay is a world-renowned sailing mecca. It’s no wonder that the city is loved by locals and a popular destination for tourists traveling from all over the world.

Book our America’s Cup Experience or the Golden Gate Sail  aboard USA 76 and get the best seat in the house to experience this unique destination. This 50,000 lb, former America’s Cup Yacht carried Team Oracle Racing across the Bay in 2003 when they competed against Swiss Team Alinghi in a rematch orchestrated by the Golden Gate Yacht Club. Now, you too can feel the thrill of a lifetime when you step aboard this magnificent yacht.

America’s Cup Experience

Sail Stats:  2.5 hours | Max sail area | Participation encouraged | Water and snack provided

On this public sail, you will have the opportunity to become part of the crew, assisting us in hoisting and trimming the sails, as well as steering the yacht. You will tour the SF Bay and get a close-up view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Time and weather permitting, we’ll swing by the Sausalito City front. This is a 2.5-hour sail. Water and a snack is provided.

America’s Cup Experience – USA 76

Golden Gate Sail

Sail Stats:  2 hours | Reduced sail area | Participation encouraged | Family-friendly | Summer only

For those who are pressed for time and still want a taste of the Bay, this sailing tour is for you. The Golden Gate Sail is a short, 2-hour version of our Day Sail using reduced sail area. Guests will still have an opportunity to help our crew sail and steer the yacht and you can expect to see sweeping views of the Golden Gate and East Bay Bridges, Alcatraz and San Francisco. Water and a small snack are provided on this sail as well. 

Golden Gate Sail – USA 76

Sailing Avocet : A New Adventure Begins

• By Marissa Neely
• August 20, 2024

EDITOR’S NOTE: Every boat has a story. So does every boat owner. And few tell those stories better than Marissa and Chris, the crew of Avocet, a 1979 41-foot Cheoy Lee. They met the boat in February 2018, just three months before college graduation, got married in June 2018, and have been liveaboards ever since. Avocet’s journey has only just begun, and as Cruising World’s newest ambassadors, the Avocet crew share their adventures with our community, from the technical aspects of cruising a classic sailboat to the breathtaking destinations they visit to the challenges (and triumphs!) that come with the liveaboard life.

Ahoy, from Avocet

My name is Marissa, and I am half of the crew on Avocet , a 1979 41-foot Cheoy Lee that my partner, Chris, and I have been living aboard since 2018.

Chris grew up in a sailing family, spending time on small lake boats and sailing near the San Francisco Bay area aboard his family’s Mason 43. His older brother purchased a Hans Christian 33, Prism, to cruise the world, paving the way for us to follow in his wake half a decade later.

Chris got me involved in the sport early in our relationship. We were barely 15 when he persuaded me to crew for him in the annual High Sierra Regatta, where I caught the sailing bug. After high school, Chris asked me to marry him in Costa Rica while we were aboard his brother’s boat. Of course, I said yes to a life of adventure, which led us to where we are now.

Our current story starts with how we found our beloved Avocet . We met the boat in February 2018, just three months before college graduation. We signed the papers in March, and Chris spent nearly every weekend driving eight hours to prepare Avocet for our move-in day.

Then, in May, we began our adult lives—him with his bachelor’s degree in social sciences, and me with bachelors’ in ski business, resort management and global business management. We got married on June 2, 2018, just two days before Chris carried me from the dock to Avocet ’s cockpit and we unpacked on board.

The Discovery

Back when Chris and I were looking for boats in 2018, Avocet was not even on our radar. We were looking for something simpler, like a Catalina 36. At the time, we had no intentions of cruising, and we were looking for a crash pad while Chris finished his studies at film school in San Francisco Bay.

We convinced ourselves that the Catalina 36 was everything we wanted, until we stepped aboard one in Southern California and realized it wouldn’t suit our lifestyle needs. We had no Plan B, but we did have Chris’ brother Jon with us. He found Avocet .

“We cruised with a boat like this in Mexico,” Jon said as he boarded the boat. After a few moments on board, Chris felt at home, comparing the warm teak walls to his family’s Mason 43. I was not as easily charmed—I thought the interior was atrocious—but Chris begged me to give it a minute.

After we drove away, Chris couldn’t stop thinking about the boat. His offer to the seller was laughable at best, probably around $25,000, which is what we had saved. The seller rejected that offer, so Chris wrote a letter to the seller, explaining who we were and why we would be honored to buy it. We settled around $30,000, which was $10,000 less than the original listed price. We still had to get a bank loan, but Avocet was ours.

The Confusion

People recognize that Avocet is a Cheoy Lee but often fail to identify the model. On the outside, the boat looks strikingly similar to the Offshore 41 and Pedrick 41, but has key differences. Cheoy Lee had seen a similar design from naval architect Ray Richards, the designer of the Offshore, and subsequently designed its own Cheoy Lee 41. Richards’ new-at-the-time element was a 6-foot-deep cruising fin, in which the forefoot is a cutaway and the rudder is attached to a skeg. Richards described the boat as “stiff as a church,” which we have found to be very true.

Unlike Avocet , the Offshore 41s don’t share the same tumblehome, leaving them much narrower with a different sheer. Inside, Avocet ’s saloon is oval-shaped, unlike the semi-circle cut of the Offshore. Our boat’s head is abaft the saloon on the starboard side, forward of the stateroom, with a closet separating them. In the Offshore, there is no closet.

Avocet is also different from the Offshore below the waterline, thanks to Avocet ’s modified fin keel and separated skeg-hung rudder. Our boat’s prop shaft comes right out of the keel, making our shaft 4½ feet long. Another notable difference is that the Offshore has a slightly taller cabin top.

Unfortunately, there is not much existing literature on Cheoy Lee 41s—especially sloops—since they seemed to have been built to order and highly customized by whoever commissioned them. We asked Cheoy Lee for help in our hunt to find details about Avocet , but no records were in their database.

Richards did kindly answer my emails and provided some insight, supporting our own findings: “I am not particularly familiar with it, but your email jogged my memory that indeed, Cheoy Lee had Pedrick design a 41, ‘borrowing’ from mine but with the, by then, contemporary style of underbody and flatter sheer. I also recall that Pedrick was or had been in the Sparkman & Stephens office, a factor that Cheoy Lee probably and understandably would have figured as good for sales. There were more than a few misquotes and errors. For example, I turned out four, not 10 designs for Cheoy Lee. The first was a 39, a larger and heavier version of an aluminum one-tonner that had received some good press, but it was totally away from the type and style of CL’s market niche. It was flush-decked and had a plumb transom from which a dirty big outboard rudder was hung. Tad Woodhull, Lyon Yachts, Essex, Connecticut, had one and did well racing it in Long Island Sound. It was he who stimulated Cheoy Lee toward replacing Phil Rhodes’ very handsome Reliant , which came to be sold as their Offshore 40. Thus came my 41, which was originally designated Offshore 40. Maybe that, in CL’s mind, was much like replacing a Richards with a Pedrick. The 32 came next. It was followed by the 38, very similar in features to the 41.”

There only seem to be eight CL41s in existence, reflected on the Cheoy Lee Association owners page, and Avocet appears to be one of the only sloops.

The Construction

Like most boats of this vintage, Avocet has a solid fiberglass hull. According to the company literature, the thickness in these boats ranges from about seven-sixteenths of an inch at the sheer to 1 inch, but we have found Avocet to be five-eighths of an inch at the sheer and as much as 2 inches at the keel.

This level of fiberglass production was uncommon at the time and gave Cheoy Lee a good reputation for building robust boats. Unlike many other early fiberglass classics, the Cheoy Lee 41s had fiberglass decks, most with a teak overlay. The previous owner removed Avocet ’s teak deck, most likely in Mexico in 2004. Beneath the fiberglass deck is mahogany planking that serves as core. We inspected it. Dry as a bone.

Cheoy Lee poured its own cast iron ballasts, but our keel is lead, which is denser, softer and not subject to corrosion. Cheoy Lee Shipyards said it was unlikely that the boat originally had a lead keel, but it’s possible that Avocet ’s original owner commissioned it with lead ballast, for which we are thankful.

On the other hand, Avocet was built with poor-quality stainless steel. The chainplates crumbled in our hands. Fasteners were a problem, too. Most owners, like us, have replaced the shoddy metal, sometimes paving the way for other problems, such as leaks. We had this issue when the fasteners in our toe rail corroded, leaving voids that allowed water intrusion into our interior. Instead of replacing the toe rail, we removed it and added a bulwark. This let us glass over the deck-to-hull joint, reinforcing the structural integrity of our boat. It is, so far, the crowning upgrade on our extensive project list.

Avocet ’s previous owner also replaced the Sitka spruce spar in 2004 with our aluminum mast, which we refitted in 2021. Avocet is deck-stepped with a single spreader and a relatively short boom, meaning the boat is heavily headsail-driven.

I know what you are thinking: A cruising boat with a deck-stepped mast? How could this be? Well, as with many things in sailing, there is a deck-stepped versus keel-stepped debate.

Deck-stepped boats have masts that are more flexible, making the mast easier to adjust for optimum performance by making small adjustments to the standing rigging. Going upwind, the backstay, runners and check stays can have tension added to tighten the stays and pull the mast aft. This will both rake the mast aft, giving it weather helm, and tension the headstay for added pointing ability.

If all the stays fail on the mast, it will fall over, since it stands on the deck totally reliant on the rigging—one of the many reasons we replaced our chainplates and all the rigging, and beefed up our mast step in 2021.

Avocet ’s geared steering quadrant is also unusual. Unlike with cable or worm steering, the input from the helm goes directly to a pinion gear, which turns a larger planetary gear, then a drive shaft mounted vertically inside the binnacle. This connects directly to the rudder shaft through two more gears. There is little that can go wrong with this system. All the gears are locked together with large components, eliminating the risk of cable failure.

With so much mechanical advantage, Avocet has a different feel than other boats. Because of the geared steering, we can never feel weather helm, which takes some getting used to if you are a seasoned sailor. We also have an easy time hand-steering, and our autopilot has more control. The lock-to-lock at the wheel takes four complete revolutions of the helm. In the time we have owned Avocet , we have really grown to like this system.

Avocet also has an inboard Perkins 4-108 diesel engine that is midship between the galley and head. With the weight concentrated on centerline, we have less pitching. The weight is also low, with the Perkins below the cabin sole, about 2 feet below the waterline. It’s not the easiest location for maintenance, but it’s a valuable addition to our lead ballast, making it the best possible location for sailing performance.

And, our cabin sole is removable for access the engine. We also have a 6-foot-deep bilge with pumps and alarms to address any incoming water and eliminate flooding.

If our engine were above the cabin sole and beneath the companionway (like many are), it would be at equal risk of water damage due to a green wave—a good reason why we relocated our batteries to a watertight spot.

The Performance

Although Avocet isn’t truly an International Offshore Rule vessel, it shares a lot of traits, having been built at the height of IOR times in the late ’70s. The hull has bow and stern overhangs, the boat has a wide beam, and it is heavily headsail-driven. It sails incredibly well for its heavy weight, too. With a modified fin keel and a large rudder far aft on the stern, Avocet always feels well-footed underway. The keel digs deep into the sea while the rudder has significant control on any given point of sail.

At 26,000 pounds, Avocet is not a light boat, but it carries the weight in all the right places. Our favorite attribute is the boat’s low-slung nature. The freeboard is relatively low off the water, and much of the weight is carried below the waterline. This all contributes to Avocet ’s best sailing characteristic, which is stiffness.

In a generous breeze of 15 to 25 knots, we can carry all our canvas and keep a heel no more than 15 to 20 degrees, making life aboard blissfully comfortable. Avocet ’s unassuming image is what makes it such a good boat a comfortable racer in disguise. That’s how we squeezed out a second place showing in this year’s Banderas Bay Regatta, with the heaviest handicap in the entire race.

Avocet ‘s journey has only just begun, and we’re thrilled to share our adventures with the Cruising World community. As Cruising World ‘s newest ambassadors, you’ll get a front-row seat to our experiences, from the technical aspects of cruising a unique boat like Avocet to the breathtaking destinations we encounter and the challenges (and triumphs!) that come with full-time liveaboard life.

In the coming months, we’ll be chronicling our ongoing adventures, giving you a variety of specially curated content from our cruising life, from boat projects and maintenance to the realities of full-time liveaboard life, managing limited space and staying connected with loved ones back home.We believe Avocet ‘s story resonates with many sailors. It’s a testament to the spirit of adventure, the joy of living a life less ordinary and the unique bond that forms between a crew and its boat. We’re excited to share this journey with you, so stay tuned for more updates from Avocet ! In the meantime, learn more about what we’re up to now at svavocet.com .

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