Getting her ready to race!
Ah, yes, the Corsair 880! The 180 Marine commissioning team spent two weeks getting the vessel ready just in time. They hustled with an April 24th deadline looming for a sea trial one day prior to the 77th Newport to Ensenada Regatta. Brian joined the team to help install the last of the systems…what a thrill to have a brand new boat ready (just in time) for such a prestigious race!

A little bit about the race.
The Newport to Ensenada Race is one of the oldest annual sailing competitions, held every April between Newport Beach, California, and Ensenada, Mexico. It is one of the largest international yacht races in the world, with over 600 entrants, and it continues to attract participants from around the globe.

The course to Ensenada covers a distance of approximately 135 nautical miles and is open to a wide range of sailboats, from small cruisers to larger racing yachts. A second course to San Diego covers 90 miles. There are trophies for multi-hulls, double-handed, cruising class, all female crews as well as PHRF and ORR classes. This spring classic offers participants a challenging and exciting overnight offshore sailing experience.

Newport to San Diego, Brian’s next big adventure.
Brian arrived early in the week to get some hands-on familiarity with the 880. That's the spirit! It's always great when the owner is hands-on. Getting the navigation system and solar panels installed is crucial for a smooth and safe race, not to mention all the other details that need attention. Every day, there was a buzz of activity getting everything shipshape. What else was on the list for Brian and the team to tackle?

With the bottom painted and the graphics applied, the question on many minds was the meaning behind "Años Tuyos." Translating to "Years of yours," the phrase invites personal interpretation. For Brian, it evokes thoughts of the years spent waiting for meaningful connections – with children, family and friends – as well as the years those individuals share with him. Given that this Corsair 880 marks the first boat for both Brian and his partner Maria, these shared years on the water promise to be particularly special as they embark on new explorations together.

The meticulous work of commissioning this Corsair 880 fell to Scott Klodowski, the lead in 180 Marine operations, and his assistant Kerr Gelvin. Unlike pre-built vessels, these trimarans arrive as kits, demanding careful preparation while adding specialized gear and rigging.

The urgency to meet the April 25, 2025, deadline for the Newport to Ensenada Race was palpable. The two days leading up to the race were dedicated to crucial sea trials, ensuring all systems were operational. The crew, including Brian’s sailing sister Nicole, had a steep learning curve as they mastered the boat's intricacies. Adding valuable experience were Tim Bremer, another 880 owner who traveled from Fresno to race, and Ivan Skobtsov, a trimaran sailor with extensive blue-water and racing experience.