Entries Open for St. Francis Yacht Club’s Rolex Big Boat Series
It’s never too early to think ahead. As we lean into longer days, warmer weather and summer sailing, St. Francis Yacht Club has opened the registration door for September’s Rolex Big Boat Series. Many West Coast sailors use the spring and summer racing season to refine performance in preparation for this fall grand prix event.
The 61st Rolex Big Boat Series is on the calendar for September 10-14, 2025, when conditions on San Francisco Bay should be ideal for fast and thrilling competition. The regatta rewards the best West Coast racers with perpetual trophies and Rolex wristwatches for select fleets.
What Boats Are Eligible?
Who’s invited? One designs, classics and boats with ORC ratings:
- One-design boats of the J/88, J/105, Cape 31 and Express 37 classes. Other classes with a minimum number of boats can be considered with an application to Race Director Felix Weidling.
- ORC monohulls with an LOA of at least 30 feet. Boats with an APH of 500 or lower are required to have an ORC International Certificate. Boats with an APH higher than 500 may compete using either an ORC International Certificate or ORC Club Certificate.
- Classic boats built prior to 1955 with an LOA of 48 feet or more and a current ORRez rating certificate.
“Rolex Big Boat Series always delivers lots of fun and excitement both on and off the racecourse,” said StFYC’s executive race committee chair, Dave MacEwen. Dave’s Rogers 46 Lucky Duck won the ORC A division last year. He points out that the event will include special awards in addition to the coveted Rolexes. RBBS will again serve as the ORC West Coast Championship, “with the top three positions in each ORC division awarded titles and trophies. Plus, competitors can build team spirit by joining two other teams to compete for the Storm Trysail Team Trophy.”
The Storm Trysail Team Trophy will be presented to the top-scoring three-boat team consisting of one ORC boat, one one-design boat and one boat from any class (including ORC and one design). Trios competing do not need to represent the same yacht club. This marks a break from tradition that should expand the competitive pool significantly.
“I am excited to welcome both new and returning competitors to the 61st Rolex Big Boat Series,” said Nadine Franczyk, the regatta chair for 2025. “St. Francis Yacht Club is planning another exceptional week of racing and social events. We look forward to seeing all the skippers, crew, friends and family who come to participate. You can expect excellent racing conditions, wonderful camaraderie, and top-tier hospitality when you return ashore for the parties.”
Regatta organizers anticipate upwards of 80 boats participating. “We look forward to welcoming back more than 30 J/105 boats and hopefully more entries in the growing Cape 31 class,” said Felix Weidling, StFYC’s race director. “We have made changes in the NOR [Notice of Race] to attract larger yachts by adopting the ORC rating system and allowing the use of non-manual power winches.” The latter is new this year. “We encourage the larger yachts from Southern California and those returning to the Pacific Coast after Transpac to make their way to San Francisco and race in the Rolex Big Boat Series.”
He acknowledged the complex logistics for large yachts are much more extensive than for smaller boats. “We offer comprehensive support from StFYC’s Executive Race Committee to provide big-boat owners with the best possible service.”
What’s on Shore?
In addition to title sponsor Rolex, supporters include:
- Quantum Sails, with daily weather briefings every morning before racing.
- Official Rolex Big Boat Series merchandise from Regatta Gear.
- Mustang Survival gear for sale at the Regatta Plaza.
- Complimentary Fort Point Beer after every day’s competition.
- And the outstanding Mount Gay Rum Party on Friday night.
We captured last year’s scene in our Rolex Big Boat Series feature in the October 2024 issue of Latitude 38.
Click here to review the 2025 NOR and sign up!
Springing Into Latitude 38’s March Issue
The Bay Area weather is warming up for spring, and this issue is sure to have you reaching for those dock lines to cast off and hit the water under sail. With stories from the Farallones, Seattle, the Three Bridge Fiasco, Treasure Island, SailGP, Good Old Boatyards, and the Atlantic and various other oceans, we share the adventures of sailors who are on the water, being there and doing that. Here’s a preview.
It’s a Left, Then a Left at the Bridge
After reading Andy Schwenk’s description of his Seattle-to-San Francisco passage (“Turkey Trot,” January 2025), I thought I would share our somewhat different experience along that same route two months prior. Our less-qualified crew enjoyed five days of sailing. We also lost a crewman. But we ultimately got him back, with help from the US Coast Guard, and new Bay Area yacht club friends.
Three Bridge Fiasco
The Singlehanded Sailing Society’s Three Bridge Fiasco could have as easily been titled “Crapshoot.” Andy Schwenk, who sailed his Covey Island schooner Sir Edmund, described the lead-up to the race: “All week long, talk on the docks was ‘This one’s gonna be different; this year we’ll have wind. It will be fun,’ they said.”
Farallones — A Voyage of Purpose
Early on the morning of January 18, 2025, the sailing vessel Francesca, a 1999 Beneteau Oceanis 461, slipped away from Marina Village in Alameda, headed for the remote Farallon Islands. This wasn’t just any trip; this was a mission with a purpose. Francesca’s crew — myself, (skipper Larry Hall), co-skipper Harmon Shragge, Arzen Joy, John Daughters, Katie Blaesing, and Don Bauer — were ferrying vital supplies and personnel to one of the most pristine wildlife sanctuaries on the West Coast.
Plus, we bring you all your favorite, monthly columns:
Letters: Sealing Off a Productive Debate; Skepticism or Pessimism?; A Word on Sailors in Japan; A Fiery Night at Sea; plus a mailbag full of more readers’ letters and comments.
Sightings: Latitude 38’s Spring Crew List Party; SailGP Hits California; Treasure Island Marina; 8 Tips on Being Great Crew; Vendée Globe; and more.
Max Ebb: “Seeing Red”
Racing Sheet: This month we visit the RegattaPRO Winter One Design Series, the J/111 North Americans, Team Racing in Half Moon Bay, the Bill Bennett Cup and Pier Pressure in SoCal, the Berkeley Midwinters and OYC’s Sunday Brunch Series.
World of Chartering: It’s still winter, but summer is not far away. Club Nautique sailing instructor and charter captain Rod Witel sent us a couple of summer charter stories to get you thinking ahead. The first is a Club Nautique flotilla charter in Croatia, and the second a charter in Sweden with friends.
Changes in Latitudes: With reports this month on Stella Blue’s first cruise to Mexico; Salty Dancer’s return to cruising after a grounding scare; Quester’s for-once-leisurely trip to Hawaii, and a tasty assortment of Cruise Notes.
All the latest in sailboats and sailboat gear for sale, Classy Classifieds.
We appreciate all readers and all our supporters — you keep Latitude 38 in print! Please show your appreciation by supporting the advertisers, who have made this issue possible.
Also, a shout-out to this month’s cover image photographers Grace Towle and Bryan McDonald. You never know what you might end up with when you head out on the water.
See our distribution map to find out where you can pick up a magazine near you.
Grab Your Tickets for SailGP in LA and San Francisco
SailGP, the world’s most exciting racing on water, returns to California this spring with back-to-back events:
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Rolex Los Angeles Sail Grand Prix –– March 15-16
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Oracle San Francisco Sail Grand Prix –– March 22-23
Experience two action-packed weekends as 12 national teams battle it out in high-speed, 50-foot foiling catamarans flying at over 60 mph.
With national pride, personal glory, and $12.8 million in prize money on the line, the stakes have never been higher for sailing’s top athletes. Don’t miss your chance to witness this epic, close-to-shore racing set against the iconic backdrops of the Port of LA in SoCal and the Golden Gate Bridge on the Bay.
Enjoy the ultimate day out by the water and get your tickets now!
US SailGP Team Driver Taylor Canfield Vows To “Stay the Course”
Shortly after a heartbreaking capsize in the Sydney SailGP event, journalist Craig Ligibel caught up with US driver Taylor Canfield via Zoom. Here are Canfield’s thoughts on the present and future of SailGP Team US.
Despite SailGP co-founder and CEO Russell Coutts’ suggestion that the SailGP US team should “put their egos aside and start thinking of bringing some of the incredible, young US talent into their line-up,” US boat driver Taylor Canfield is confident in the abilities of his 100 percent US team and vows to “stay the course” with the team currently in place as the league makes the jump across the Pacific for two March races in California, followed by a groundbreaking event in Rio de Janeiro and a June return to New York City.
“SailGP management can say what they want,” says a determined Canfield. “The composition of our team is ours to decide. We feel we have the talent and the developmental program to put a quality team on the water. We can get our share of podium finishes by continuing to ‘Push … Push … Push.'”
With reference to Coutts’ comments, Canfield continues, “We believe in our group of people. We are going to stand by them. We want to show the world we have some great people to take us to the top level of SailGP.”
Is Canfield intimidated by Coutts’ interest in his team? “It’s great to see upper management singling out some key players they think they can help out. We have a development program in place. We will find the right time to introduce new people. It’s not like you can plug new people into the team and expect them to perform. There are only a handful of sailors with experience to make an impact. As a team we have only been together for a couple of races. We need time on the water to get to know the boat and each other.”
“Operator error” was the official SailGP comment re the dramatic capsize that left the US boat unable to compete. This was the second time in two years that crew error took the US boat out of the running.
In assessing his team’s performance to date, Canfield is optimistic about the ability of his crew to continue to make progress in mastering the steep F50 learning curve.
“These are high-powered machines. They perform best when sailed hard. We need to do a better job at the top end. Just like in Formula One, you’re gonna make mistakes. That’s part of the process. You can’t go around worrying about getting fired. Our ownership is behind us.”
Thirty-six-year-old world match-racing champion Canfield took over from Jimmy Spithill midway through Season Four. New owner Mike Buckley promised a new look. Performance to date has been less than spectacular.
Canfield is confident his team can overcome its slow start. “Sailing in front of a home crowd is a motivating factor. We will continue giving it our all … and hope to finish the season within striking distance of the Grand Final.”
For ticket information and event dates, go to: www.sailgp.com.
‘Wander Bird’ (‘Elbe No. 5’) Relaunched in Germany
The famed German pilot schooner Wander Bird (now Elbe No. 5) has been relaunched after a second restoration following her tragic sinking in 2019. The schooner was an institution on San Francisco Bay and the Sausalito waterfront from 1937 to the mid-’90s before going to the Pacific Northwest for a few years, and then returning to Germany in the early 2000s. There she became part of the Hamburg Maritime Foundation, where she took tourists out for sails and underwent several restorations. She went through a significant restoration in winter 2018/2019 and was relaunched from the Hvide Sande Shipyard in the spring. Shockingly, she was shortly thereafter struck by a freighter and sank in June 2019.
Fortunately, she managed to get safely to shallow water before sinking. She was later raised and has been under repair ever since. She’s now been relaunched in Hamburg and is preparing to get back to the business of sailing.
The schooner Wander Bird spent almost 60 years on San Francisco Bay, occasionally racing in the Master Mariners Regatta and playing host to Sterling Hayden and many other denizens of the Sausalito waterfront.
Wander Bird was the childhood home of Bay Area sailing legend Warwick “Commodore” Tompkins. Commodore arrived in San Francisco Bay after his family sailed Wander Bird around Cape Horn, when he was 4 years old.
Commodore Tompkins recently spoke in Mill Valley at Oleg Harencar’s tribute film on Ron Holland, then promptly took off in February to add another 2500 miles to his lifetime total of 600,000 sailing miles. His latest voyage was to Hawaii aboard his Wylie 39 Flashgirl, with Eric Steinberg of Farallon Electronics. Eric reports they arrived safely in Hawaii at 0430 on Commodore’s 93rd birthday.
The relaunching of Wander Bird and another crossing to Hawaii sound like a terrific 93rd birthday gift.
Join us March 14 – 16 for a Spring Boat Show at Club Nautique
Join us March 14 – 16 for a Spring Boat Show at Club Nautique. Check out the latest sailboat models from Jeanneau.