SAN FRANCISCO, CA—Skippers have one month to register to race in the 2023 Rolex Big Boat Series before a late entry fee of $250 is assessed. Considered the most prestigious regatta on the West Coast with a history of legendary competition since 1964, Rolex Big Boat Series draws sailors from around the country and the world to St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco, California, for four days of high-test competition and highly fun social events. Scheduled for September 13-17, 2023, the following are invited to compete in this year’s regatta:
- One-design boats of the J/105, J/88 and Express 37 classes. Other classes with a minimum number of boats can be considered with application to the Organizing Authority.
- Monohulls with an LOA ≥ 30 feet. Boats with a General Purpose Handicap (GPH) of 560 or lower are required to have an Offshore Racing Congress (ORC) International certificate. Boats with a GPH higher than 560 may compete using either an ORC International Certificate or ORC Club Certificate.
- Classic boats built prior to 1955 with an LOA ≥ 48 feet and a current ORRez rating certificate.
Eligible boats may enter by completing the online entry form and paying the full entry fee by July 31, 2023. After that, an additional $250 late entry fee will apply.
DAILY RACING & NIGHTLY PARTIES
Wednesday: Rolex Commodore's Reception
Thursday: Regatta Social & Rolex Owners Dinner
Friday: Mount Gay Lawn Party
Saturday: Crew Dinner
Sunday: Trophy Ceremony
After racing to Hawaii, Oaxaca will return to San Francisco for the 2023 Rolex Big Boat Series. Photo by ROLEX / Sharon Green.
This year’s regatta is already drawing a mix of past competitors and newcomers. Many veteran Rolex Big Boat Series racers are first heading offshore for the 2023 Transpac, including Greg Dorn’s Dehler 46 Favonius, the J/125s Arsenal and Velvet Hammer, the Santa Cruz 50s Deception and Oaxaca, Bill Dana’s Santa Cruz 52 Pinball Wizard and the custom Bill Lee 68 Merlin.
It’s been a few years since Michael Moradzedeh’s Oaxaca has raced in Rolex Big Boat Series, but he’s committed to a swift return after Transpac. Just hours before hitting the starting line in the race to Hawaii, Moradzadeh said, “The crew is already looking forward to Big Boat Series. Our navigator, 63-time Pacific crosser John Jourdane, says he will have the boat back in San Francisco by August 1, so we'll have plenty of time to prepare. The hardest part, of course, will be adjusting to having more than one turning mark every 2,300 miles.”
New this year: J/105s will compete for the Jesse L. Carr Perpetual Captain and Crew Trophy. Photo by ROLEX / Daniel Forster
In addition to the perpetual trophies and Rolex timepieces contested by select fleets, this year Rolex Big Boat Series has the honor of awarding the Jesse L. Carr Perpetual Captain and Crew Trophy. Established in 1958 through a Deed of Gift to the Pacific Coast Yachting Association, this trophy recognizes the achievement of a sailing crew participating in a one-design portion of a larger regatta—in 2023, that will be the J/105 class competing at Rolex Big Boat Series.
“We’re so pleased to be able to award the Jesse L. Carr Trophy this year to the top crew racing for a PICYA-member West Coast club,” said Susan Ruhne, chair of Rolex Big Boat Series. “Skippers can’t win without a hard-working and talented crew and it’s very special to be able to award a trophy that recognizes that reality. We will have take-home trophies for every crew member to commemorate their excellence at the 2023 Rolex Big Boat Series.”
Over the decades, as the trophy has made the circuit of various West Coast regattas and clubs, it’s been won by several Rolex Big Boat Series competitors, including one of the regatta’s founders, Robert C. Keefe.
Another highly anticipated award is the StFYC Rolex Big Boat Team Trophy, which is presented to the top-scoring three boats racing for the same yacht club, with one boat competing in the ORC fleet, one One-Design entry, and one additional entry from any class. The award debuted at the 2022 Rolex Big Boat Series and was won by San Francisco Yacht Club: David Halliwill’s Peregrine, Randy Hecht’s Niuhi and Don Jesberg’s Viva. Two of that top-performing trio have already registered to return in 2023, along with several other veteran competitors from that club.
ROLEX REGATTA PLAZA
Supporting Skippers & Crew
Daily Grab and Go Breakfast
Morning Weather Briefings
Post-Racing Hosted Beer
Sail Repair Pickup
Gear Sales & Featured Sponsors
Brigadoon and Hurrica V racing in the Classics fleet at the 2022 regatta. Photo by ROLEX / Daniel Forster
This dynamic regatta continues to draw newcomers, even in the oldest boats. The Classics fleet welcomes Alex Mehran’s Gesture as a first timer to Rolex Big Boat Series but no stranger to competition—built in 1941 she raced competitively around the world and even faced off against Baruna, winner of the 1966 Big Boat Series with the above-mentioned Keefe running the bow.
“Gesture is Sparkman and Stephens design number 381 and shares a lot of history with Baruna and other yachts of her day. She won the 1946 Bermuda Race with owner Howard Fuller. Olin Stephens referred to her as one of his favorites and she is likely the last pre-war boat launched,” said Mehran, who grew up sailing on San Francisco Bay has competed once at Rolex Big Boat Series, as crew on Tom Siebel’s Vamanos in 2012.
“I am excited to get back out there on a beautifully restored classic. Gesture is probably the first non-planing boat that I have raced on the bay. The crew that Max Petrushonis has assembled is fantastic and after a lot of short-handed racing I am excited to sail with a team,” said Mehran. Gesture has been undergoing a five-year restoration with Jeff Rutherford and all involved are looking forward to seeing her afloat.
“Five hundred years ago sailing was not a sport, it was a form of transportation,” noted Mehran. “I love the innovation behind new composite and foiling boats, but keeping the tradition of wooden shipbuilding and restoration alive is extremely important for our sport. These yachts are celebrations of sailing’s sporting history and of the women and men who commit their lives to keeping this trade and tradition alive. Including Classics in the Rolex Big Boat Series is really cool, and I appreciate that St. Francis Yacht Club, which is steeped in history, shares the passion and supports this type of racing.”
Returning to race in the Classics is the 2023 Commodore of St. Francis Yacht Club, Beau Vrolyk, and his 1947 Alden schooner Mayan. “Each year we’ve added another beautiful Classic to the competition and our fleet has the honor of first to the bar after racing! Whether you’re a new vessel or a Classic, I invite you to join us for racing on San Francisco Bay."
Register now to become a part of history at the 2023 Rolex Big Boat Series.
ABOUT ST. FRANCIS YACHT CLUB
St. Francis Yacht Club is one of the most esteemed yacht clubs in the world, steeped in tradition and known for innovation. Founded in 1927 with a mission to serve as the inspirational center of boating activities regionally and a leader of yachting internationally, StFYC has hosted many of the most prestigious national and world championships in sailing. With over 40 regattas on its calendar annually, StFYC is widely regarded as having one of the top racing and race management programs in the country. In addition to a worldwide reputation for on-water excellence, StFYC’s clubhouse features outstanding dining, spacious guest docks and panoramic vistas of San Francisco Bay. Each year, StFYC rolls out the green carpet for sailors visiting to compete in Rolex Big Boat Series.
For more information, please visit St. Francis Yacht Club.
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Rolex is an integrated and independent Swiss watch manufacture. Headquartered in Geneva, the brand is recognized the world over for its expertise and the quality of its products – symbols of excellence, elegance and prestige. The movements of its Oyster Perpetual and Cellini watches are certified by COSC, then tested in-house for their precision, performance and reliability. The Superlative Chronometer certification, symbolized by the green seal, confirms that each watch has successfully undergone tests conducted by Rolex in its own laboratories according to its own criteria. These are periodically validated by an independent external organization.
The word “Perpetual” is inscribed on every Rolex Oyster watch. But more than just a word on a dial, it is a philosophy that embodies the company’s vision and values. Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of the company, instilled a notion of perpetual excellence that would drive the company forward. This led Rolex to pioneer the development of the wristwatch and numerous major watchmaking innovations, such as the Oyster, the first waterproof wristwatch, launched in 1926, and the Perpetual rotor self-winding mechanism, invented in 1931. In the course of its history, Rolex has registered over 500 patents. At its four sites in Switzerland, the brand designs, develops and produces the majority of its watch components, from the casting of the gold alloys to the machining, crafting, assembly and finishing of the movement, case, dial and bracelet. Furthermore, the brand is actively involved in supporting the arts and culture, sport and exploration, as well as those who are devising solutions to preserve the planet.
ABOUT ROLEX AND YACHTING
A Natural and Supportive Partner
Rolex has always associated with activities driven by passion, excellence, precision and team spirit. The Swiss watchmaker naturally gravitated towards the elite world of yachting six decades ago and the brand’s enduring partnership now encompasses the most prestigious clubs, races and regattas, as well as towering figures in the sport, including ground-breaking round-the-world yachtsman Sir Francis Chichester and the most successful Olympic sailor of all time, Sir Ben Ainslie. Today, Rolex is Title Sponsor of 15 major international events – from leading offshore races such as the annual Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and the biennial Rolex Fastnet Race, to grand prix competition at the Rolex TP52 World Championship and spectacular gatherings at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and the Rolex Swan Cup. It also supports the exciting SailGP global championship in which national teams race identical supercharged F50 catamarans on some of the world’s most famous harbours. Rolex’s partnerships with the St. Francis Yacht Club, New York Yacht Club, Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Royal Ocean Racing Club, Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and Yacht Club Italiano among others, are the foundation of its enduring relationship with this dynamic sport.
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