Short Sightings: Transpac ’25 Getting Ready, Cabo Race ’25 Canceled
The 2025 Transpac Starts Now
Is the bright blue Pacific calling you? The Transpacific Yacht Club has announced that entries are coming in, seminars are underway, and competitors looking to race the 2025 Transpac are gearing up for next summer’s race. The email said, “We are just nine months out from the first Transpac starts! If you’re thinking about entering this bucket list of a regatta from Los Angeles to Tahiti …” (we’re sure they meant Hawaii). You can plan a cruise to Tahiti the following season.
There are already 27 boats registered to race, including 2023 Transpac winner Dave Moore, returning with his Santa Cruz 52 Westerly, Greg Dorn with his new-to-him Transpac 52 Favonius, Roy Disney with his Andrews 70 Pyewacket and a growing list of others ready to make the run to Hawaii. Put your name on the list now.
DBW Offering Grants To Improve Recreational Boating Access
Attention Alameda, Sausalito, Richmond, Berkeley and other waterfront municipalities who want to grant their citizens improved access to the Bay. There are funds available to improve launch ramps, gangways, floats, parking, restrooms and other infrastructure to make launching and sailing easier. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on February 3, 2025. To learn more about how to apply for funds visit the DBW website.
Since 1988, Division of Boating and Waterways has awarded approximately $254 million from the Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund for construction of recreational boating facilities throughout California.
Electrifying Announcement From the San Diego Yacht Club
Yacht clubs up and down the coast have been working hard to minimize their impact on the environment. The San Diego Yacht Club has taken delivery of two Vita Power, all-electric RIB boats, the Vita Seal and SeaDog. The SDYC Vita boats will support their year-round youth sail training programs, adult race management activities, and dockmaster duties around their marina.
In 2010, San Diego Yacht Club created a new waterfront facility with an emphasis on “green and sustainable elements,” and aspired to host “Green Regattas.” Along with generous solar power generation, SDYC Malin Burnham Sailing Center is a LEED Gold-certified facility. Jeff Johnson, SDYC’s waterfront manager, commented, “These boats fit so nicely with San Diego Yacht Club’s commitment to introducing ways to conduct our sport with minimum impact on the environment. To complement this now decade-old facility, we are proud to showcase the 100% electric Vita powerboats as a robust tool for our junior sailing program and regatta management activities. We are eager to pave the way for other yacht clubs to understand the benefits of 100% electric propulsion and minimize the carbon footprint of our day-to-day yacht club operations.”
2025 Newport Beach to Cabo Race Canceled
Newport Harbor Yacht Club’s biennial Newport to Cabo race, originally scheduled for March 2025, has been canceled due to a lack of available slips in Cabo and instability at the marina. The Newport Harbor Yacht Club is working with the marina to secure berths for the race to return in 2027.
Bay Area Resident Cyril Derreumaux To Kayak Across the Atlantic
After having successfully crossed the 2,800 miles of the Pacific Ocean between California and Hawaii in 2022, Cyril Derreumaux will take on the 3,000 miles of the Atlantic Ocean from the Canary Islands to Martinique in December. The solo kayak from California to Hawaii took 91 days and 9 hours.
Farmers and Cities vs Fishermen — It’s the Smelt Who Are Losing
Not every sailor likes fishing, but many do like seafood. The Golden Gate Salmon Association is once again raising the alarm about California’s water management damaging fish stocks. California’s new water year began with the cancellation of the fall flow protection for Delta smelt, a once-common fish in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta that’s now critically endangered. Despite wet-year conditions, state and federal agencies decided to suspend a key outflow action meant to improve smelt habitat. Environmentalists argue that this move could push the species closer to extinction. Read more here.