Transpacific 2023

The 2023 Transpac competition from California to Oʻahu begins on Tuesday, with the first wave of 16 sailboats crossing the starting line near Point Fermin in San Pedro.

After leaving the west end of Catalina to port, they will sail 2,200 miles west towards the finish line at Diamond Head.

This year, there are three waves with a total of 58 entries from Australia, Canada, Italy and the United States competing in the 52nd edition of this biennial ocean racing classic, first sailed in 1906.

Some are racing Transpac for the first time, while others are veterans who keep returning for this iconic race.

Ian Edwards’ Dehler 46 Wings has come from Sydney, Australia, to participate. This is their first Transpac race, but they are no strangers to ocean racing. Edwards said they have raced about 35,000 miles on this boat, but the unique aspect of Transpac’s course and conditions is intriguing.

“We normally race with 10 or even 12 crew, but we will race with only 8 on this race,” he said. “We have a lot of experience in all positions on the boat, and we’ve been practicing short-handed maneuvers like sail changes and gybes so the off-watch can get some sleep and be rested for their turn.”

Indeed, this is a fundamental skill for all Transpac teams: finding the balance between having enough versatile and skilled crew available to perform versus the extra weight and clutter of having more on board.

Other notable differences for Edwards include Transpac’s limited allowance for stacking sails on deck to increase stability and optimize performance. This is not allowed in other races. They also added a Code 65 reaching headsail to their inventory to help fill the gap between their upwind headsails and their spinnakers.

Learn more >>

Celebrating Glenn Hackemer, delivering a Transpacific race boat back to the mainland >>

WINNER OF THE 2023 Transpac >>

The world's highest regatta at 9,017 ft. above sea level

The 52nd Annual Dillon Open Regatta

Come join us August 25th - August 27, 2023

The Dillon Yacht Club extends a warm invitation to all sailors interested in participating in the 2023 Dillon Open Regatta, the world’s highest regatta at 9,017 ft. above sea level, on Aug 25th-Aug 27th, 2023.  Download the Notice of Race (coming soon) with all the regatta details (coming soon) and the Map of Lake, and then get registered!  Sailing Instructions will be posted here on August 1st. 

Racing will be held on beautiful Lake Dillon in Dillon, Colorado, where you’ll enjoy sunny days and spectacular views of the snow-capped Rocky Mountains. The regatta is hosted by the Dillon Yacht Club, the nation’s highest yacht club at 9,017 feet above sea level, located just west of the Continental Divide, a 70-mile drive from downtown Denver. 

Bring your friends and family
Want to buy EXTRA DINNER TICKETS for friends or family joining Saturday night party?  You'll buy them at the yacht club on Saturday.  Or better yet, send them out on a pontoon boat to see all the racing up close. Reserve seats on a SPECTATOR BOAT.  Coming soon....

Learn more >>

Sailing French Polynesia

Bill Edwards and Katie Smith's big adventure in paradise

Based in Denver, Colorado

Adventure sailing accomplishments range from sailing around the world, competing in offshore regattas, venturing to the world's remotest parts on an open-ended exploration, to mastering light winds on a skinny lake. Each accomplishment carries its unique challenge and provides individual achievement. 180 Marine celebrates those who follow their dreams. You only get one spin! Thank You, Bill and Katie, for all your support!

May 1, 2023 - Bill Reports…

Katie and I are back in the South Pacific for Phase 2 of sailing our Seawind 1160 Flite Deck. We left Colorado just over two weeks ago, and the boat is not on the water at this time. The good news is that we are in Paradise. We are located about 250 miles east of Tahiti. We are sitting on a Motu. It is a small land mass. A ring of Motus makes up an atoll.
An atoll is typically a ring of sand and coral with plenty of palm trees. The ring creates a protected lagoon. The water is beautiful. The Motu we are on has 8 local residences, and it can easily double with sailors coming and going in the yard. There are no local hotels, restaurants, or even a store. The nearest village is 15 miles away by water, and I mean a village. We are in paradise. We are living on our boat in a yard. Think of it like an RV park without hookups. Also, your RV does not have screens, air conditioning, or running water. When you want to get off the boat, you are climbing up and down a 6-rung ladder. We are living in Paradise. The air temp is in the high 80s, the humidity in the 90s, and plenty of bugs. Our escape is a daily happy hour soaking in the gorgeous blue water sharing a cold beer from the freezer. More to follow….

May 15, 2023, Bill reports… 
location: Leeward Islands, French Polynesia 

Finally, after 24 days in the yard, we launched Flite Deck on Friday, May 12th. We received the parts we were waiting for on Wednesday, May 10th. It took less than 2 days to install all of the different parts we ordered in. We are motivated. We expected to stay in the yard for 3 days when we first arrived. We have had many up-and-down moments waiting. I started on the engine parts Wednesday late afternoon and wrapped up Thursday morning. Then Katie and I installed new shifter and throttle cables for the starboard engine. With that done, I spent the rest of the afternoon testing the engines. They are working great, out of the water. I finished the new pin for the furler and forestay on Friday morning. With that, we are ready to let Flite Deck swim again. Starting just after 1:00 PM, the crew started putting Flite Deck on the hydraulic lift trailer, pulling her through the yard, and putting her in the water. Once in the water, I started up the repaired engines, and it appeared to be working. The crew pushed her off the trailer, and we were free. The shifters worked perfectly, even better than ever, and we pulled out of the launching area. After a 15-20 minute drive around to test the engines, we set the anchor and enjoyed being on the water. We spent Saturday and Sunday putting the last items together, like putting the jib on the furler and installing the battens and reef lines on the main sail. The water maker is working, and we have good fresh water with an unlimited supply. Katie did laundry using the large portable cooler as a washing machine. We plan on leaving the area today, Monday. The plan is to work our way toward Fakarava atoll.

May 19, 2023 - Bill reports…
location: Leeward Islands, French Polynesia 

Last night, Katie and I had dinner to celebrate our anniversary and, even more, having the boat on the water. It was our first meal out since we left Tahiti on April 18th. This morning at the same resort, we had a pearl farm tour. One of the interesting items from the tour is that the farmers use a bank to start the pearl. It is really a ball, that the pearl material grows around the ball. The ball is from the shell of a muscle found in the Mississippi River.

May 20, 2023, Bill reports…
location: Tetamanu Village south pass Fakarava

After spending 4 days in the village area near the north pass of Fakarava, we set sail for the south pass, about 30 miles. We got a late start on Friday after finishing some chores and sightseeing. We sailed until 4:00 pm and looked for a place to anchor before the sunset. We found a beach all to ourselves. The water was beautiful, and the stars were bright. This morning we raised the anchor and had a pleasant sail in 6-8 knots of wind. We average about 4 knots of sailing. We arrived near the south pass around 11:30. I am scheduled for a few dives on Monday. After we set the anchor, we both snorkeled to check on the anchor. Katie got a chance to see her first shark. She didn’t walk on water and handled it very well. After lunch, we snorkeled some of the bommies. There are plenty of fish. We encountered a couple of sharks and a Spotted Eagle Ray. The coral growth is fantastic. We finished off the day with a brilliant sunset.

May 23, 2023, Bill reports
Location: Tetamanu Village south pass Fakarava.

Three years ago, I got my open-water diving certification. I did my first open-water dive two years ago at Catalina Island, CA. Yesterday I did my 2nd and 3rd dives ever at the diver's bucket list area. We dove to 109 feet, and it was like being in an aquarium, but with 1000s of fish and sharks. No pictures, I don't have an underwater camera for diving depths. It was a magical experience. I don't know how to describe it. The 2nd dive was a late afternoon/ early evening dive. When we went in the sun was shining. When we came back to the surface, the moon was up. It was a shallow dive at 95 feet. Again lots of fish. I did see an octopus.

june 2, 2023, Bill reports…
location: Location: Avatar, French Polynesia

We have been visiting a couple of different atolls in the last few days. One way of thinking about an atoll is that our is a bathtub in the ocean. When the tide comes in our out our has a minimal drain for the water to enter our leave. As we entered the Taou atoll on the eastern end, it was supposed to have an incoming tide, and the wind was also coming in. Not so. We had an outgoing tide with an incoming wind.  That caused large standing waves. We had 10-foot waves that were chasing us. Two of the waves broke into the cockpit of Flite Deck. I have never had a wave break into any boat I have owned or chartered. At one time, we were on the wave just right and surfing at 15 knots. Not a fun feeling, but we could keep the boat under control. Yesterday we entered the Rangiroa atoll. We didn't have the breaking waves, but the current was intense. The picture shown in our chart plotter. The top two numbers can indicate how much current we had against us. The boat was going 7 knots through the water, but we had over 6 knots against us. The speed over the ground indicates how fast we would be walking over the earth then. To be clear, every exit or entrance to an atoll hasn't been that exciting, and most have been just another passage. The big thing is to with our timing a little bit better.

June 2, 2023, Bill reports… 
Location: Comité du Tourisme de Rangiroa.

In the last few days, we have been visiting a couple of different atolls. One way of thinking about an atoll is that our is a bathtub in the ocean. When the tide comes in our out our has a very small drain for the water to enter our leave. As we entered the Taou atoll on the eastern end, it was supposed to have an incoming tide, and the wind was also coming in. Not so. We had an outgoing tide with an incoming wind. That caused large standing waves. We had 10-foot waves that were chasing us. Two of the waves broke into the cockpit of Flite Deck. I have never had a wave break into any boat I have owned or chartered. At one time, we were on the wave just right, and we were surfing at 15 knots. Not a fun feeling, but we were able to keep the boat under control. Yesterday we entered the Rangiroa atoll. We didn't have the breaking waves, but the current was intense. The picture shown in our chart plotter. The top two numbers can indicate how much current we had against us. The boat was going 7 knots through the water, but we had over 6 knots against us. The speed over the ground indicates how fast we would be walking over the earth at that time. Just to be clear, every exit or entrance to an atoll hasn't been that exciting, and most have been just another passage. The big thing is to with our timing a little bit better.

June 10, 2023, Bill reports… 
location: Avatoru, French Polynesia 

We have been in Rangiroa atoll for the last nine days. We are here killing some time before we head over to Tahiti. We have friends coming in on June 22nd and would rather spend our time here than in the capital city, Papeete. Saturday we took the dinghy to the village on the southside of the pass. We came across this beautiful church. For lunch we stopped at the restaurant I shared in an earlier post and had fried shrimp, with heads and tails.

On Sunday we took a tour with some new friends we met on Little Bird earlier in the week. We took a power boat to the Blue Lagoon. While we were there, we started out with a snorkel with sharks, again. Katie is getting a little more comfortable with the sharks. She did jump in the water when she saw them from the boat. Then the captain took the boat into the lagoon. We had a little hike through the water to a small motu where they have a hut set up to cook lunch and hang out. He took us to the coral garden and hike on bird island to see a bird rookery for four species of local birds, while his mate cooked up a great lunch. Afterwards the captain showed his skill at weaving. Earlier in the day, made a couple of serving bowls in 10-15 minutes. After a relaxing afternoon, we headed back to the main area we are anchored in. He took us through the pass to try to see some local dolphins. Not much action. We then stopped at The Aquarium. It is a local reef with with plenty of fish.

On Monday I got in a couple of dives with a local dive shop. The big attraction here is five local dolphins are “friendly” with the divers. They will come up to you and like to be rubbed and scratched near the pectoral fins and where the tail attaches to the body. Unfortunately, we didn’t see the dolphins, but the dive was still fun. We had drift dives through the pass and did see gray reef sharks. They are much larger than the black or white tip sharks. I also saw a large school of barracuda. Later that night we had a full moon. I was able to get some great shots from a moving boat. Later that night I developed a fever that knocked me out all day Tuesday and I spent all day Wednesday recovering.

Thursday the Aranui 5 ship came into port. It is an interesting boat as you can see in the picture. It is both a cruise ship and a cargo ship. We have been anchored off a beautiful resort that has the over-the-water bungalows. We were scheduled to stay at a resort on Moorea back in 2020. We didn’t make it due to Covid. We looked into staying at the resort on Moorea when we sailed there, but the rates have jumped really high (this resort is charging US$2200/night and they are sold out for the coming future). We decided we have the perfect room over the water everywhere we go. I spent the day after recovering working on my favorite area of the boat. The toilets!!! On the primary toilet, I had to unclog the holding tank so it would drain and the second head I spent two and a half hours troubleshooting and rebuilding the hand pump. No fun.

Friday afternoon we took a cab ride to the far village (about 8km) to a local winery. It is the only winery in French Polynesia and they grow the grapes on the atoll here. The wine has a very distinct flavor from growing in the coral based ground. They have three flavors, a white blend, a Rose blend and a sweet. They only had the sweet for sale. We are not usually sweet wine drinkers, but it has a “soft” sweet flavor that we enjoyed. Katie picked up a couple of bottles. They also grow and harvest sugar cane for making rum. The white rum tasted like jet fuel. They have an aged rum (4 years) that tasted ok. But it wasn’t worth US$110 a bottle. It also had a distinct taste. I believe it is because the rum was aged in wine barrels, not used bourbon barrels. Afterwards we stopped for a pizza at the local shop. Pizza is one of the best deals in French Polynesia.

Tomorrow, we plan on leaving for one more atoll, Tikehau, before a 250 mile sail to Tahiti. You can follow are travels on-line at https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/FliteDeck/

June 18, 2023, Bill reports…
location: Fa'a'ā, French Polynesia.

We sailed into Tahiti today!!! It is beautiful and busy here compared to the Tuamotus. The last picture is a sunset over Moorea. We will be there later this week.

JUNE 22, 2023, BILL REPORTS…
LOCATION: FA'A'Ā, FRENCH POLYNESIA.

Yesterday I enjoyed my 3rd winter solstice in a row this past year. I was in French Polynesia last year at this time, in Denver at December and now back in fence Polynesia. Being that French Polynesia is in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are opposite. We took a tour over the mountain and made some new friends that we went and joined them to watch the Marquesas dancers at a local hotel afterwards.

JUNE 26, 2023, BILL REPORTS…
LOCATION: Moorea, Polynésie Française.

Just another terrible anchorage we are in today at Moorea. We are getting setup for a dive trip tomorrow.

To continue following Billl and Katie, go to https://www.facebook.com/bill.edwards.988373

Open Water Sailing

Glenn's adventure across the big blue from Kauai
to San Francisco

OPPORTUNITY
Delivering a transpacific race boat back to the mainland. 

When opportunity knocks, unbatten the hatches! I received a phone call in January from my longtime friend Jim who regularly competes in ocean races, including the Pacific Cup and Trans-Pacific Yacht Races from mainland California to Hawaii. These biennial offshore yacht races draw participants from all over the world. The westward course to HI is being raced with big spinnakers and full crew with lots of on-edge harrowing moments. In contrast, my journey will be the return trip back to CA which will be by a smaller crew comprising individuals who enjoy less stress and don’t mind the beating they’ll get because of less favorable winds and waves as it’s more of a personal adventure. For several years, I had expressed interest in making the return voyage from the Islands, and this year, there was room aboard, and Jim asked me to join them. My response? “Hell yeah, I’ll go.”

The TransPac Yacht Race began June 27 with single-handed racers like Jim starting in San Francisco and finishing in Kauai around July 8. At the finish, all boats will have covered over 2,200 nautical miles.

Who’s going with you?
Our crew of four will include Jim Quanci, Mary Lovely, Jeff Duvall, and me. Jim and Mary own the Green Buffalo, a Cal 40 that has crossed the Pacific more than six times. We plan to depart from Hanalei Bay Kauai on July 16th, arriving around August 2nd in San Francisco.

The Voyage
Our passage has essentially 3 phases. We will begin with a 6-day starboard tack out of Hawaii heading Northeast, then several days of motor and sailing through the doldrums where the wind and waves are disturbed, and finally, a 7- to 8-day port tack Northeast to San Francisco. The trade winds around the equator blow from the East while the North Pacific High (pressure) generates wind blows from the Northwest. 

With three hours on / three hours off watch, everyone will have the opportunity to establish their own routines around exercise, sleep, mental stimulation like reading and podcasts, and general thinking. With only 80 square feet of shared living space, these routines will help with everyone’s tolerance levels and allow us to be more of a good neighbor than a cranky one. 

• Rigor and routine - I plan to use bands and my body weight to practice daily exercise. According to statistics, limited movement over three weeks can lead to significant muscle loss. I don’t want that to happen because I’ve spent months building my muscle mass to the level I like. 

• Mental reading listening - I plan to bring a combination of paperback and audiobooks to learn new things. Audiobooks might be the way to go depending on the amount of jostling from side to side in a monohull vessel. I’ll let you know!

• Eating routine - While the route from the mainland requires Jim to rely on dehydrated and easy-to-grab foods, the journey back promises to be a little more luxurious. Boat weight is not as important on the return trip. We intend to pack foods that will allow for a fresher, more balanced meal. We’ll stock boiled bags, a modicum of dehydrated food, noodles, rice, vegetables, and fruits to function as sides for the fresh fish we plan to catch. Our optimism is high for regularly catching edible fish like mahi mahi, tuna, and other edible fish that take a stab at our hooks; otherwise, ours will primarily be a vegetarian voyage.  

Gettin’ ready!

Green Buffalo on the way back into the Bay. ©2011 Erik Simonson/www.h2oshot

Green Buffalo Crew 2023

Glenn Hackemer Returns!

Conclusion:
Uncertainty around our arrival to the mainland will depend on the size and location of the North Pacific High (pressure) with its impact on wind direction and speed. In addition to the daily routine I’ve outlined, I will spend time pondering the meaning of life while peering across an endless ocean and enjoying evenings under a galaxy sprinkled with millions of stars. This is a big adventure that I feel privileged to be healthy and fit enough to do. Like my time racing the Pacific Cup to HI on the Perestroika so many years ago, I look forward to discovering which types of marine life (whales, dolphins, turtles, seals) will find, interact with, and follow us along the way. There will be plenty of quality time with old and new friends. 

I’ve been retired for two years. With all the time we will have, I hope to develop more clarity around this relatively new stage of life and how to go forward with consulting services, volunteerism, and doing the general good for the world.  

Stay tuned:
We will follow up with Glenn when he returns! Safe Travels!

Transpac Results >>

Many of our customers are turning to clean, quiet, efficient technology.

Sailboats are a perfect application for electric propulsion. We’ve recently added electric outboards to Corsair 760s, and three Corsair 880s will be delivered soon with Torqeedo propulsion. Using a combination of electric propulsion and wind power can be a sublime day on the water, and range is getting better all the time. For many, sailing is a calm, tranquil quiet experience, until it’s time to crank up the outboard gas motor. Our customers are leading the way to greener solutions!

Five reasons why Torqeedo electric outboards are by far the best-selling electric boat drives in the world!

1. Overall efficiency of the electric outboard drive optimized in every detail

2. Where does the superior overall efficiency come from with the Torqueedo outboard? Superior drive technology…

3. Performance and safety: Torqeedo advanced lithium battery technology for the electric outboard motor

4. Plug & play: convenient marine equipment packages for your electric outboard motor

5. Electric outboards are cleaner than petrol outboards

Torqeedo Cruise 6.0

If you’re wondering if an electric motor is right for you, contact Richard Allen for more information. info@180marine.com

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180 Marine is an Authorized dealer for Corsair trimarans

180 Marine is an Authorized dealer for Dragonfly trimarans

180 Marine is an Authorized Dealer of Torqeedo electric motors

180 Marine is an Authorized dealer for Smyth, Doyle, and Calvert sails

We recommend Colligo Marine continuous line furling systems

Learn more about 180 Marine >>

Corsair 880 Sport joins the 2023 Race to Alaska! Wooohoo!

Race to Alaska Explained

Stage 1 Race start: June 5, 2023, 5:00 AM, Port Townsend, Washington
Stage 2 Race start: June 8, 2023, High Noon, Victoria, BC
Application deadline: Tax Day baby! April 15th

The inside passage to Alaska has been paddled by native canoes since time immemorial, sailing craft for centuries, and after someone found gold in the Klondike the route was jammed with steamboats full of prospectors elbowing each other out of the way for the promise of fortune.

It’s in the spirit of tradition, exploration, and the lawless self-reliance of the gold rush that Race to Alaska was born. R2AK is the first of its kind and North America’s longest human and wind powered race, and currently the largest cash prize for a race of its kind.

This isn’t for everyone

It’s like the Iditarod, on a boat, with a chance of drowning, being run down by a freighter, or eaten by a grizzly bear. There are squalls, killer whales, tidal currents that run upwards of 20 miles an hour, and some of the most beautiful scenery on earth.

R2AK is based on the hardest kind of simplicity

You, a boat, a starting gun. $10,000 if you finish first, a set of steak knives if you’re second. Cathartic elation if you can simply complete the course. R2AK is a self-supported race with no supply drops and no safety net. Any boat without an engine can enter.

In 2022, 41 teams were accepted and 19 finished.

Learn more about Race to Alaska >>

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Team Tres Equis getting ready to roll in this years Race to Alaska.

Team members: Chad Wilson, Ken Wolfe, Bill Hardesty
Hometown: Dickinson, TX, USA
Race vessel: Corsair 880 Sport
LOA: 29′
Human propulsion: Flywheel

An insurance lawyer, a Rolex Yachtsman of the Year, and someone who is probably a dentist walk into the Race to Alaska… 

Honestly, we don’t know what happens next. We stopped listening to our own joke a while ago. There’s some punchline there somewhere, but given the set up we’re pretty sure that at least one of them is going to be named Chad. 

Stay with us: theoretically, if an insurance lawyer does a 750-mile adventure race from Port Townsend to Ketchikan, should the race host or his insurance company be concerned? 

Again, hypothetical here, if you had the 2011 Rolex Yachtsman of the Year on your boat, would you have them captain the boat, or would you choose the safety first insurance lawyer to be the captain? 

What if—just saying—the insurance lawyer, the Yachtsman of the Year, and some other guy had all served in the merchant marine as deck and engine officers, sailed ships around the world, and put in time in the U.S. Naval Reserve as officers assigned to the logistics fleet?  

And—play along with us here—they bought a brand new boat and packed it full of their trophies, medallions, and “You Qualified for the Olympics!” certificates and maybe did Race to Alaska an adventure race that may or may not be filled with bears?

We’re about to find out.

We sat down with Chad T. Wilson, head legal counsel and captain of Team Tres Equis over a tureen of creamed corn and two oversized spoons to talk about accidental death and dismemberment, “world championships,” and whether or not Bill’s decision to R2AK is more worthy of the “Casio Yachtsman of the Year” than what he’s currently sporting.

What are the necessary components of a good adventure?

Unfamiliar territory, unplugged, heightened level of risk, challenging, coffee.

What’s a lesson you learned the hard way?

Passports don’t come loaded with visas.

What’s your favorite kind of bracket?

Box bracket.

What’s your claim to fame?

3 talented kids who fall in the “good people” category; 3-time Olympic Team Trials qualifier in sailing.

It’s drizzling, freezing cold, and you’ve missed the tide. The cabin is leaky and the stove won’t light. How do you keep the good vibes going?

Uplifting music, bad music, recorded sounds of whales, repetitive counting.

Forget the 10k or the steak knives. What does success look like for you and your team?

3 crew start, 3 crew FINISH and get home safely; no insurance claims [R2AK HQ: Classic lawyer talk].

Blank space, baby. Share some things:

I am looking forward to R2AK with two guys I haven’t sailed with since Kings Point in 1997.  I am proud that Bill said yes to R2AK and Ken’s wife said yes to R2AK for Ken.

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SO what’s happening before the race? SEVENTY48

Just ask yourself, “Self, what could I do to test my mettle the weekend before the R2AK?” If you answered, “A burly, pre-race to R2AK—where the greatest competition for yourself is yourself. A race super accessible to compete in. A race that is tough but still lets me update Instagram,” we’d say, “Hell yeah. You nailed it.”

Check out SEVENTY48 >>

Earth is now our only shareholder.

Yvon Chouinard is an American rock climber, environmentalist, philanthropist and outdoor industry businessman. His company, Patagonia, is known for its commitment to protecting the environment. Chouinard is also a surfer, kayaker, and falconer and is particularly fond of tenkara fly-fishing.

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Patagonia founder Yvon gives away the company to fight climate change. There is always a third alternative. Right?

If we have any hope of a thriving planet—much less a business—it is going to take all of us doing what we can with the resources we have. This is what we can do.

By Yvon Chouinard

I never wanted to be a businessman. I started as a craftsman, making climbing gear for my friends and myself, then got into apparel. As we began to witness the extent of global warming and ecological destruction, and our own contribution to it, Patagonia committed to using our company to change the way business was done. If we could do the right thing while making enough to pay the bills, we could influence customers and other businesses, and maybe change the system along the way.

We started with our products, using materials that caused less harm to the environment. We gave away 1% of sales each year. We became a certified B Corp and a California benefit corporation, writing our values into our corporate charter so they would be preserved. More recently, in 2018, we changed the company’s purpose to: We’re in business to save our home planet.

While we’re doing our best to address the environmental crisis, it’s not enough. We needed to find a way to put more money into fighting the crisis while keeping the company’s values intact.

“Truth be told, there were no good options available. So, we created our own.”

One option was to sell Patagonia and donate all the money. But we couldn’t be sure a new owner would maintain our values or keep our team of people around the world employed.

Another path was to take the company public. What a disaster that would have been. Even public companies with good intentions are under too much pressure to create short-term gain at the expense of long-term vitality and responsibility.

Truth be told, there were no good options available. So, we created our own.

Instead of “going public,” you could say we’re “going purpose.” Instead of extracting value from nature and transforming it into wealth for investors, we’ll use the wealth Patagonia creates to protect the source of all wealth.

Here’s how it works: 100% of the company’s voting stock transfers to the Patagonia Purpose Trust, created to protect the company’s values; and 100% of the nonvoting stock had been given to the Holdfast Collective, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting the environmental crisis and defending nature. The funding will come from Patagonia: Each year, the money we make after reinvesting in the business will be distributed as a dividend to help fight the crisis.

Connected by Water >>

2021 Sarasota Sailing Squadron

2021 SARASOTA SAILING SQUADRON

Thank you Steve from The Finish Line, for getting this story out to all!

Thanks to the Sarasota Sailing Squadron for accepting the challenge of hosting a Regatta in spite of Covid. The hurdles to host a successful regatta are many and the Squadron met them with aplomb. Part swap meet, sailing clinic, jamboree, and camp cooking tournament, the SBMR never fails to deliver when it comes to mild weather, warm clear water, easy launch/docking, and shore side things to see and do.  While the social events were muted compared to years past (to the relief of barnyard animals and first responders everywhere.  But thanks for keeping the tazers charged anyway, Craig), the racing was just as intense, the venue just as scenic, and the sailors just as salty.

20 Corsair trimarans traveled from near and far to be part of this event. As promised, the weather machine was set on “shuffle” and divvied out conditions from near calm to “should we reef?”. Sarasota bay being protected on all sides makes sailing near the upper design limits somewhat predictable which helps expand your performance envelope. Seven races over three days kept sailors on their toes and the chiropractors in business for certain.

Typical of springtime pre-frontal passage in Florida, the first day dawned with a decent land breeze that was destined to quit right around first flag.  It was a lively 3 mile sail to the course from the dock with all the boats making their last adjustments.  Bad time to realize you left the beer cooler on the dock.  Fire that dude.

The race committee tried valiantly to run a race despite all the indications that this would be a drifter with large shifts and holes.  It was great light air sailing all the way to the giant hole at the top mark.  Hat Trick’s private breeze was not received well by the other sailors showing negative vmg.  Mercifully, the PRO announced the race abandoned as the breeze showed signs of backing 120 degrees.  Reaching to C-gate would have been an interesting twist.

A side note about the neat technology on the course this weekend.  The race committee used autonomous turning marks which kept station via GPS and other remote controlled wizardry, making minor adjustments to keep the course windward/leeward at all times.  Definitely nice to see a technical solution to assist mark boats in their challenge to keep the course and lines square.  Race Qs app is a crowd-source regatta tracker which has a lot of cool features.  Load it on your phone, set the start time, and the app does the rest while you’re sailing.  Replays later can be edited to add marks/starts, weather conditions, and group boats by fleet.  Displays can include VMG, SOG and a host of other data.

So, while motoring back to the committee boat to organize for race #2, the little “mark-bots” (think ) were busy scurrying across the bay to set the new course.

Races 2 and 3 were ideal with the seabreeze filling in to a moderate 10-12.  Races were tight, and little mistakes could add up big to those who were caught unawares.  A great first day to sort the boats out.

Saturday was forecast to be rainy and cold (high 60’s) but the PRO pushed on to get some races on the books in case Sunday turned into a blowout per the forecast.  The wind held for the most part in the 10-12 range, but the rain showed up and ended the day after 2 races.  Of course, after all the boats were tied up at the Squadron the clouds broke, the sun shone brightly, and the wind steadied at 14…  Second guessing never works

Sunday could be considered by many as “sporty”.  Clear and cool (upper 50’s to 70 by midday) with winds initially in the 18+ with gusts to 25 range.  Definitely nice to be sailing in protected water in conditions near your design windspeed envelope. If you’re going to build your sailhandling confidence, this is the time and place to do it.  No epic wipeouts or crashes, but there were some difficult spinnaker sets and drops in the conditions.  Races 2 and 3 were conducted in a bit more settled conditions with wind dropping to 10-12 with gusts in the mid-teens. Definitely tests your ability to shift gears to lighter conditions.

Overall, the Corsair course had high and low PHRF classes and the growing and incredible competitive did I mention growing 750 fleet.   In the 750 class, Hat Trick (first time on a race course with excellent prep by the FinishLine ) started with four bullets with Phil Styne brining his winning crew Todd Hudgins from the Nationals win in New England in 2008?  and highly experienced Corsair sailor Tom Reese to do battle with perennial  winner in the class Larry Geller.  Humility (Austin TX), Lucy Gene (Austin TX) and Tri Polar weren’t going to let either of those two hooligans get away with any slacking, and finish positions were traded often during the busy weekend.

The overall Corsair Nationals trophy went to Kathyrn Garlick on C 28r Evolution who sailed most of the last day with a torn main. Second overall was newcomer Alan Moore C 28r. Third was Larry Geller Sprint 750 beating out the 750 class winner Phil Styne with the overall time scoring system.

There were old timers (I have had some Corsair or another for 29 years) and one boat was literally picked up by its new owner the day before the regatta and stopped by on its way to its new home in Wisconsin to put on a good showing.

Sarasota Sailing Squadron as always was a great venue in-spite of missing the big dinner.

There was sponsorship by Corsair and The FinishLine. 

Special Thanks to Jim Bergoin, Billy Black and Mike Cantalana!

Michigan couple happy to receive their new Corsair 760!

New owners of a Corsair 760 from 180 Marine

Nick and Nancy have been waiting patiently for their new Corsair 760. Now that it’s here they have invited many of their family and friends to come out and sail with them as they all get to know the boat. This is a comfortable boat to host about 6 people. Plenty of room out on the nets!

Our commissioning team started working on 2 Corsair 760s in Long Beach, which is where the container ships arrive. It was possible to share the container costs by having Corsair put 2 Corsairs 760s in one container!

The Corsair 760 ready for the final touches

You can see here the size of the high-volume floats and the reverse bows. They help the vessel cut through the waves easily. This design also offers additional buoyancy to significantly increase the vessels righting moments and safety margins.

Incredibility strong beam support. Beams are the same style as the Pulse 600 and better for deflecting water.

The silicone lubricant allows for full tightening of the inspection ports to ensure a good seal.

Pure silicone is also great for protecting rubber hatch seals and lubricating rotating deck hardware, tracks, and bolt ropes.

Galley unit slides out of the way when you need shoulder room, maybe during a mid-day squall!

2022 Tohatsu 6 HP Sail Pro Outboard Motor

Final home!

Race to Alaska - Start date June 13, 2022

Trimarans are probably the best vessel to sail in the Race to Alaska, they are fast, stable and there is lots of room to move about!

Team Elsie Piddock in a trimaran wins the Race to Alaska, 2015

About the race to Alaska…

750 miles no motors, no support, all the way to Alaska!

Stage 1 Race start: June 13, 2022, Port Townsend, Washington
Stage 2 Race start: June 16, 2022, Victoria, BC
Application deadline: Tax Day baby! April 15th

The inside passage to Alaska has been paddled by native canoes since time immemorial, sailing craft for centuries, and after someone found gold in the Klondike the route was jammed with steamboats full of prospectors elbowing each other out of the way for the promise of fortune.

It’s in the spirit of tradition, exploration, and the lawless self-reliance of the gold rush that Race to Alaska was born. R2AK is the first of its kind and North America’s longest human and wind powered race, and currently the largest cash prize for a race of its kind.

This isn’t for everyone

It’s like the Iditarod, on a boat, with a chance of drowning, being run down by a freighter, or eaten by a grizzly bear. There are squalls, killer whales, tidal currents that run upwards of 20 miles an hour, and some of the most beautiful scenery on earth.

Three brothers from Marblehead won a more than 700 mile race that began in Washington and ended in Alaska 2017.

Team Blackfish during the Race to Alaska, 2015

Angry Beaver during the Race to Alaska, 2019

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The new 29’ Corsair 880 was developed for the modern sailor; adventurous and versatile!

Corsair 880

United States Sail Grand Prix/San Francisco / March 26-27, 2022

There is an exciting range of ticket options for the United States Sail Grand Prix/San Francisco

EIGHT TEAMS // EIGHT EVENTS // EQUAL BOATS

Expect sheer emotion, state-of-the-art technology and incredible drama as elite athletes fly cutting-edge wingsailed catamarans in thrilling close-to-shore races.

It’s full speed ahead for SailGP’s eight-nation fleet as they head into Season 2’s home stretch. Vying for the highly coveted $1 million top prize, the United States Sail Grand Prix will play host to the championship league’s Grand Final on March 26-27, 2022 in San Francisco.

Known for its cable cars and hilly streets lined with Victorian houses, the Bay area will be pumping with adrenaline as the eight identical high-flying F50s battle it out for ultimate supremacy against the backdrop of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.

As the final event of Season 2, stay tuned to see if the defending champions, Australian SailGP Team, will clinch their second consecutive title, or if a new winner will be crowned.

Save the dates!
 Make your arrangements today - details coming
180 Marine will be host to the Corsair sailing community during the San Francisco 2022 Grand Prix.

New owners of the Corsair 760 will be ready to meet, greet and sail together before the Grand Prix event on March 24-25. Plans are in the works to spectate the race in the Race Village on the waterfront March 26 and on dedicated on-water access March 27.

Double-handed Farallones 42nd year!

On Saturday, September 25, 2021 this more than exciting race begins at 0800 at Baker Beach.

Papillon at Mile Rocks Double-handed Farallones Race 2015 © Erik Simonson

Here is a great interview with a local San Francisco sailor Dave Wilhite about the 2020 Double Handed Farallones Race. “This race is a test of human and boat not to be taken lightly.”

Hands down, sailing out under San Francisco’s fabled Golden Gate Bridge is one of the coolest experiences that any sailor can have. Not only is the scenery dramatic, but once you're a few miles out, the onshore world melts away and you’re immediately into offshore sailing conditions.

While this experience is magical aboard any boat and with (almost) any crew, the feeling likely compounds itself when there are just two crewmembers onboard, surrounded by the rugged California coastline, and, after some time, the wide-open Pacific Ocean.

If this sounds enticing, the 58 nautical mile Double Handed Farallones Race could be the next addition to your bucket or annual to-do list of sailing events. The event, which is organized by the San Francisco Bay Area Multihull Association, begins just off of the Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC) and takes the fleet of monohulls, catamarans and trimarans out and around the Southeast Farallon Islands (skippers can opt to round in either direction) and returns to a finishing line off of the GGYC.

Given that the race is held annually in the early days of spring, skippers and crews must be prepared for conditions ranging from light zephyrs to heavy airs and accompanying seas. (If this is starting to sound like a great doublehanded adventure, you’re on the correct tack.)

I checked in with Dave Wilhite, race chair of the Double Handed Farallones Race (Saturday, March 28), via email, to learn more about this year’s event.

Can you explain the race’s culture to the uninitiated?

The Double-handed Farallones [DHF] race is a rite of passage for sailors on the Bay. We know people who buy boats and learn to sail with the hopes that they’ll be confident enough in their skills to one day race the DHF.

The shorthanded nature of the race makes it a stepping stone towards ocean competence. And then, for the experienced ocean veterans in the fleet, it gives them a chance to stretch their legs at the beginning of the season.

This race is a test of human and boat not to be taken lightly.

In your mind, what are the racecourse’s toughest segments (or biggest challenges)?

The whole thing! The wind and wave state can vary a lot over the course, usually with light winds in the morning building to blustery conditions by the mid-afternoon. You have to pace yourself and stay aware of the conditions, not just the wind and wave state, but also stay self-aware of your comfort level on the boat, and communicate with your crew to make sure you are taking enough little breaks to stay in top shape all day.

Continue Reading >>

This race and many others are hosted by San Francisco Bay Multihull Association. SFBAMA.
This club does a great job! Good events, great members, and lots of support.

BAMA is the primary organization supporting multi-hull racing, cruising, and safety in Northern California. As well as organizing multi-hull racing and cruising events, BAMA is the official source of Multihull PHRF Rating Certificates in Northern California. To race in Northern California regattas open to multihulls, your need a rating certificate issued by BAMA.

Learn More >>

June showing of the Corsair 760 Sport and the Corsair 880 Sport in San Pedro, California

Great turn out!

At 180 Marine we don’t build boats. We don’t design things that don’t work. We make boats sail faster with smarter designs. We make things that are buffeted by Mother Nature last longer. Life’s too short to sail just an average boat.

Richard Allen was on hand to discuss the smart upgrades on these 2 Corsair models. Richard has extensive experience racing, training, and installing his best ideas for making these tri’s sail faster and safer.

On June 11, 12, 13, 2021, 180 Marine was pleased to meet up with new and current Corsair Trimaran owners. We had 2 new models to show the Corsair 760 Sport and the Corsair 880 Sport. By comparing these 2 models side by side our visitors were able to see first-hand pros and cons for their sailing needs. We highlighting many performance upgrades on these 2 new models. Talk to us…Learn how 180 Marine can help you take an average trimaran, new or used, to make it extraordinary.

We are also pleased to have met our new customer from the south of France who after seeing and sailing the Corsair 760 Sport decided to purchase it! He wants to be sailing in Cancun this year! 180 Marine will be shipping this boat into Cancun Mexico where it will be enjoyed by many within his company!

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Richard Allen with new customers reviewing the Corsair 880 Sport in Long Beach, California

There is so much room the Corsair 880 Sport to host about 8 of your friends!

Inspection of the base on the Corsair 880 Sport

Richard Allen “Corsair Trimaran Expert” from 180 Marine answering Corsair 880 questions

Corsair 760 Sport

Toby Hamer, GM from 180 Marine sailing the Corsair 760 Sport

Corsair 760 Sport

Corsair 880 Sport

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If you’re interested in knowing more about the Corsair 880 Sport or the Corsair 760 contact Richard Allen / 180 Marine Corsair Marine Expert. richard@180marine.com
Learn more about 180 Marine >>

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A big thank you to all who came to participate in the 2021 Helly Hansen NOOD Regatta

San Diego has always been a beautiful place to hold this Regatta. This year winds were a bit shifty and overall a bit chilly. The focus on Saturday the 20th (1-day official Rally Race event with multiple fleets, one dedicated to trimarans) was on boat handling and good teamwork. The overall multihull fleet consisted of 5 boats this year each with good local knowledge of San Diego Bay. Nevertheless, the trimaran community came together once again!

Did you know...the NOOD Regatta series was founded in Newport, Rhode Island, by the editors of Sailing World in 1988 to help foster the growing interest in racing one-design sailboats.

We're making this our "regular stop" on our annual trimaran event schedule! Thanks, guys, and gals, there was great camaraderie among all who participated. Let's keep building the trimaran fleet in Southern, California! Here are a few characters from the 2021 Helly Hansen NOOD Regatta event in San Diego.

Brian and Kelly Arnett / Corsair 880 Sport / VALKYRIE
Eric Tremaine / Corsair 760 /SLO POKI
Mark Berdan / Farrier F82 R / UNEVEN KEEL
Peter Lucas / Corsair 31 / FLEXIBLE FLYER
Terry Argast / CORSAIR 28 / TRIDENT

2021 Helly Hansen NOOD Regatta event in San Diego

The Corsair 880 Sport among the big guys! Naval Base San Diego, also known as 32nd Street Naval Station, is the second-largest Surface Ship base of the United States Navy and is located in San Diego, California. Naval Base San Diego is the principal homeport of the Pacific Fleet, consisting of over 50 ships and over 190 tenant commands.

Skipper Brian Arnett and Crew Kelly Arnett / Corsair 880 Sport / VALKYRIE

Crew Kelly Arnett / Corsair 880 Sport / VALKYRIE

Crew Kelly Arnett, Leslie Gabriel / Corsair 880 Sport / VALKYRIE

Crew Kerr Gelvin, Corsair 880 Sport / VALKYRIE

Trainer Jeff Vaught, Corsair 880 Sport / VALKYRIE

Skipper Eric Tremaine and crew / Corsair 760 / SLO POKI

Jamey Kabisch/ Crew Corsair 760 / SLO POKI

Skipper Peter Lucas and crew / Corsair 31 / FLEXIBLE FLYER

Skipper Peter Lucas and crew / Corsair 31 / FLEXIBLE FLYER

Skipper Peter Lucas and crew / Corsair 31 / FLEXIBLE FLYER

Skipper Terry Argast and crew / Corsair 28 / TRIDENT

Skipper Terry Argast / Corsair 28 / TRIDENT

Skipper Eric Tremaine / Corsair 760 SLO POKI

Crew Richard Allen / Corsair 880 Sport / VALKYRIE

Ginny Tory / Photographer, Video

Richard Allen, Crew / Leslie Gabriel, Photographer / Corsair 880 Sport / VALKYRIE

If you’re interested in knowing more about the new Corsair 880 Sport or the Corsair 760 contact Richard Allen / 180 Marine Corsair Marine Expert. richard@180marine.com
Learn more about 180 Marine >>

2021 Helly Hansen NOOD Regatta / Multihull Fleet

A shiny new Corsair 880 SPORT arrives in Southern California to sail in the 2021 NOODS

CORSAIR 880 SPORT / VALKYRIE / Photo Leslie Gabriel

Just a few weeks before this Corsair 880 SPORT / VALKYRIE was imported and commissioned by 180 Marine, the new owners Brian and Kelly Arnett decided to join the race. What better way to see how she/they would perform? So off they went for 2 days with an experienced crew for training and tactics. They really wanted to see what the 880 Sport was capable of delivering. On race day the winds were shifty and mild which is another kind of challenge! The race committee set the official event at 17 nautical miles inside San Diego Bay based on the wind forecast. Turned out to be a bit long…

CORSAIR 880 SPORT / JUST FOR FUN SAIL / Photo Richard Allen

Anyway, the focus on Friday the 19th was launch and crew practice. Learn what matters most…and what to anticipate. Three new owners needed to learn some of the basic boat handling skills on a multihull. With coaching and support from Richard Allen, Jeff Vaught, and Leslie Gabriel from 180 Marine they spent a lot of time making sure the Corsair was set up correctly and ready to perform. Did a bit of sailing in the bay just to make sure they would have zero problems… and knew the course and marks.

CORSAIR 880 SPORT / VALKYRIE / Photo Ginny Tory

The focus on Saturday the 20th (1-day official Rally Race event with multiple fleets, one dedicated to trimarans) was on boat handling and good teamwork. The overall multihull fleet consisted of 5 boats this year each with good local knowledge of San Diego Bay. Wind conditions were shifty and oscillating, so we decided to not make (too) many transitions and avoid mistakes. A couple of times the team thought about flying the spinnaker downwind… but stayed with the screecher downwind on a winding course. Upwind the main and jib are the ticket!

CORSAIR 28 / TRIDENT / Photo Ginny Tory

At this year’s NOOD Regatta, we were expecting at least 7-10 trimarans in our fleet, only 5 could make it. This year there was a Farrier F82R, Corsair 28, Corsair 31, Corsair 880 Sport, and a Corsair 760. What a fantastic day!

CORSAIR 760 / SLOPOKI / Photo Sailing World

We’re working with local owners to make this a fun and exciting event for everyone in the trimaran community. Fun challenges like this bring our community closer together through socializing, networking, and of course some hard and fast legs on the racecourse! We hope to see you next year! No more of the COVID thing!

If you’re interested in knowing more about the Corsair 880 Sport or the Corsair 760 contact Richard Allen / 180 Marine Corsair Marine Expert. richard@180marine.com
Learn more about 180 Marine >>

2021 Helly Hansen NOOD Regatta - San Diego is on!

Join us on March 19-21, 2021.

Here’s a great opportunity to get to know our great trimaran community at the San Diego NOOD Regatta. While this event was rescheduled in 2020, 180 Marine is making up for lost time…dedicated to developing trimaran education, training, and racing in Southern California and the Western U.S.

A little history about 180 Marine…because there is just a little. Launched in 2016, 180 Marine is the fastest growing Corsair Trimaran dealer in the U.S. It’s owned and operated by Richard Allen and Leslie Gabriel, long-time Corsair Trimaran racers, day sailors, and cruisers. More owners turned to 180 Marine last year than any other source for Corsair trimarans.

Sailing World is the organizing authority of this event and San Diego Yacht Club is the host club.

At this year’s Regatta, we are expecting at least 7-10 trimarans in our fleet. In 2019 we had a decent turnout and we had a blast. The new Corsair 880 SPORT and the new Corsair 760 will be sailing, so take a look at these amazing hotrods! The Corsair 880 was awarded Sportboat of the Year by Cruising World.

Corsair 880 “Sportboat of the Year” / Cruising World 2021

Corsair 760 “Multihull of the Year” / Winner 2018

We look forward to seeing you and your crew flying on the Bay and with your favorite Corsair. There is a single day Rally Race on Saturday, and we’re confiming a second short-day event on Friday or Sunday with any owner who’s signed up for the official one-day race. Race committee will set the official event at 10-20 nautical miles inside San Diego Bay depending on the wind forecast.

The regatta will host 3 full days of racing with up to 12 races scheduled.

Days of Racing Schedule:

Dates: March 2021
March 19, 2021 (launch and crew practice day)
March 20, 2021 (1-day official Rally Race event with multiple fleets, one dedicated trimaran fleet.)
March 21, 2021 (short-day fun event in the bay.

We’re working with local owners to make this a fun and exciting event for everyone in the Corsair community, to bring our community closer together through socializing, networking and of course some hard and fast legs on the race course!
Please register early to ensure we have time to pull off an amazing weekend.

Due to possible state and local social restrictions with regard to the pandemic, NOOD Regattas, SDYC, and CorYC are unable to commit to a social schedule or fees at this time. Information about social events and ticket prices will be posted on the event website

2021 Corsair Trimaran Nationals, Sarasota, Florida

As far as we know the Corsair Nationals will be held this year in Sarasota, Florida on March 5-7, 2021. All COVID 19 safety guidelines are outlined in the “Notice of Race.”

The Regatta is targeting a number of 35 Corsair trimarans gathering together in the pristine waters of Sarasota Bay, Florida. In addition, the SBMR Regatta is also expected to attract classes including Stiletto, Windrider, and a variety of other multihulls/trimarans.

We look forward to seeing you and your crew flying on the Bay and with your favorite Corsair. There will be lots of racing! A box take out dinner on Saturday due to Covid precautions. Registration is only through Regatta Network and will close on Wed, 3/3/21 at 5 p.m. There is no onsite or late registration. Registration is now open.

The regatta will host 3 full days of racing with up to 12 races scheduled. There are 2 options for days of racing, you can either go with 2-day or 3-day races.

Days of Racing Schedule:

Dates: March 5, 2021
March 6, 2021 (2-day racers)
March 6, 2021 (3-day racers)
March 7, 2021

We would love to make this a fun and exciting event for everyone in the Corsair community, with the Corsair Nationals intended to bring our community closer together through opportunities of socializing, networking and of course some hard and fast racing!
We must plan for the appropriate event size so please register early to ensure we have time to pull off an amazing regatta. Register today for early bird pricing!

Boating is good for you, confirms new scientific study in Sail World!

But you already knew that!

Here is a great article we thought you would find interesting…The article is by Domenic Genua / September 27, 2020

“Dr Wallace Nichols… has shown getting out on the water in a boat promotes rest, with significant physiological and psychological benefits…

“His research includes the vast cognitive, emotional, psychological, social, physical, and spiritual benefits that we can all derive from healthy waters and oceans throughout our lives.

“Through his research, Dr. Nichols has identified that the mere sight and sound of water promotes wellness by lowering cortisol, increasing serotonin and inducing relaxation. Being on the water promotes physiological and psychological benefits that help manage trauma, anxiety, sleep, autism, addiction, fitness, attention/focus, stress, grief, PTSD, build personal resilience, and much more.

“His study in the US has shown that 84% of parents think their kids would be more likely to unplug from their phones and laptops on a boat trip versus a road trip…”

Fun for kids at the Festival of Sails © Teri Dodds

The benefits of recreational boating have been assumed for decades and now through some interesting and compelling work, it has been proven that boating is good for you.

The award-winning marine biologist Dr Wallace Nichols is internationally renowned for his study which, through a scientific evidence-based approach, has shown getting out on the water in a boat promotes rest, with significant physiological and psychological benefits. He has found that with our lives getting increasingly busy and stressed, boating is the perfect way to unwind and relax.

His research includes the vast cognitive, emotional, psychological, social, physical, and spiritual benefits that we can all derive from healthy waters and oceans throughout our lives.

Through his research, Dr. Nichols has identified that the mere sight and sound of water promotes wellness by lowering cortisol, increasing serotonin, and inducing relaxation. Being on the water promotes physiological and psychological benefits that help manage trauma, anxiety, sleep, autism, addiction, fitness, attention/focus, stress, grief, PTSD, build personal resilience, and much more.

West Marine US Open Sailing Series Launches in 2021

Six Olympic-Class Regattas are scheduled in Florida and California.

Sailing has the potential to change a life and can build character for the next generation!

“West Marine’s mission statement is to outfit, educate and inspire boaters,” said Ken Seipel, CEO of West Marine. “Partnering with US Sailing on this new Olympic-class series is a great opportunity to inspire both current Olympic hopefuls as well as young athletes about to enter the sport with dreams of standing on the podium.”

The West Marine US Open Sailing Series offers an increase in high-quality Olympic-class racing for U.S. athletes with a long-term goal of attracting top-level international competitors to race in these regattas for years to come.

BRISTOL, R.I. (January 11, 2021) – US Sailing and host yacht clubs at spectacular sailing venues in Florida and California are thrilled to launch a new U.S. based racing and training series of Olympic-class regattas in 2021.

The West Marine US Open Sailing Series offers an increase in high-quality Olympic-class racing for U.S. athletes with a long-term goal of attracting top-level international competitors to race in these regattas for years to come.

US Sailing and the larger community of sailors in the U.S. has identified a strong demand for a racing and training platform based in the United States that serves to provide a runway to the Olympic Games for prospective athletes. With the 2028 LA Olympics on the distant horizon, it is essential for US Sailing to establish a consistent and predictable cycle for athletes to plan for on an annual basis.

US Sailing and event organizers are honored to have West Marine as the title sponsor for the new series. For more than 50 years, West Marine has been the premier retailer of sailing, boating, fishing, and paddling gear. The company is committed to providing the local sailing community and all boaters with the highest quality products and expert service, all while inspiring a new generation. West Marine has a long-standing history of supporting the sport of sailing with a focus on youth and young sailors who aspire to reach new heights.  

“West Marine’s mission statement is to outfit, educate and inspire boaters,” said Ken Seipel, CEO of West Marine. “Partnering with US Sailing on this new Olympic-class series is a great opportunity to inspire both current Olympic hopefuls as well as young athletes about to enter the sport with dreams of standing on the podium.”  

This series of regattas allows US Sailing to provide more support for sailors at these events through advanced and in-person coaching, training, and data collection. The series will become an important part of the training plans for young sailors participating as part of the Olympic Development Program (ODP), a US Sailing initiative supported by the AmericaOne Foundation that provides world-class coaching support to promising American youth sailors competing in high-performance classes.

2021 West Marine US Open Sailing Series:

January 15-18: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Lauderdale Yacht Club

January 21-24: Miami, Florida
Miami Yacht Club Youth Sailing Foundation

February 4-7: Clearwater, Florida
Clearwater Yacht Club, Clearwater Community Sailing Center, Tampa Bay Charities, Sail Life

June 11-13: San Diego, California
San Diego Yacht Club

July 9-11: Long Beach, California
Alamitos Bay Yacht Club, Long Beach Yacht Club, US Sailing Center Long Beach

August 13-15: San Francisco, California
St. Francis Yacht Club, Treasure Island Sailing Center, San Francisco Yacht Club, Richmond Yacht Club

The yacht clubs and sailing organizations hosting these US Open Sailing Series events are the Organizing Authorities for each regatta.

“This series is a real game-changer for Olympic-class sailing in the U.S.,” said Leandro Spina, US Sailing Olympic Development Director. “The U.S. really needs an Olympic sailing platform like this, so prospective athletes at every level can race and train right here in the United States. We want to be more efficient and resourceful with our efforts to prepare our athletes for the Games and provide them with a tremendous experience.”

Are you ready for America's Cup action?

Prada America’s Cup World Series Auckland and Prada Christmas race format announced.

Four international teams from New Zealand, Italy, United States, and Great Britain will line up for the first time on their second generation of flying AC75’s for the PRADA America’s Cup World Series Auckland and the PRADA Christmas Race (December 17-20).

The event will see current America’s Cup Defender Emirates Team New Zealand, the Challenger of Record Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team, INEOS TEAM UK and New York Yacht Club American Magic facing each other during four days of match racing on the Waitemata Harbour and the Hauraki Gulf widely regarded as ‘The jewel in Auckland’s crown’.

The first race will start few minutes after 3pm on December 17 and will the Defender Emirates against the Challenger of Record. The second pairing will be American Magic versus INEOS TEAM UK.

With each of the teams interpreting the AC75 design rule differently there are marked differences between all four boats launched so far and therefore great anticipation to see them race for the first time.

The racing format for the four days of racing has now been finalised. For the first three days of the PRADA ACWS Auckland (17th-19th of December) there will be four races per day of Round Robin competition when all of the four teams will race each other twice.

The fourth day (20th of December) the PRADA Christmas Race will kick off and will be comprised of two knock out stages, the first stage consists of two head to head match ups, the winners of each will progress to the final, the losers to a 3rd & 4th match which will help decide the final rankings. The pairing of the Christmas Race Semifinals will be decided by the results of the PRADA ACWS Auckland double Round Robin.

The races will be held on a windward-leeward racecourse with an upwind start and last around 25-30 minutes each.  

Racing is scheduled for 1500 – 1800 each day weather permitting. The race course will be communicated on racing days by the Race Management depending on wind direction, intensity and tides. The permitted wind range is between 6.5 and 21 knots. 

The America’s Cup Race village is FREE to enter and a great place to enjoy the action from, or soak up the village atmosphere. Depending on the course of the day, there are many vantage points around Auckland, from which the racing can be enjoyed while on land.

For the Challenger teams, the results from the ACWS and the Christmas Race regatta will determine the pairings for the PRADA Cup Challenger Selection Series to be held in January/February 2021 that will decide which of them will take on Emirates Team New Zealand in the Match for the 36th America’s Cup presented by PRADA starting on March 6th 2021.

Pre race press conference >>