SAN FRANCISCO, CA — The Notice of Race is posted, and registration is open for the 61st edition of Rolex Big Boat Series, hosted by St. Francis Yacht Club.
Scheduled for September 10-14, 2025, when conditions on San Francisco Bay are ideal for fast and thrilling competition, this legendary regatta rewards the best in West Coast racing with perpetual trophies and Rolex timepieces for select fleets.
The following are invited to compete in this year’s Rolex Big Boat Series:
- 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 application to the Organizing Authority.
- ORC Monohulls with a LOA ≥ 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 a LOA ≥ 48 feet and a current ORRez rating certificate.
“Rolex Big Boat Series always delivers lots of fun and excitement both on and off the racecourse,” said St. Francis Yacht Club’s Executive Race Committee Chair Dave MacEwen. “In addition to duking it out for the coveted Rolex timepieces, the event will include additional awards. Once again, it’s serving 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.”
Presented to the top-scoring three-boat team comprised of one ORC boat, one one-design boat and one boat from any class (including ORC and one-design), trios competing for the Storm Trysail Team Trophy do not need to represent the same yacht club. This marks a break from tradition that should expand this competitive pool significantly.
“I am excited to welcome both new and returning competitors to the 61st Rolex Big Boat Series,” said Nadine Franczyk, 2025 Regatta Chair. “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.”
The festivities begin on Wednesday evening, September 10, when boats and sailors arrive for the Competitors’ Briefing and Commodore’s Reception. Competition commences Thursday with two races per day for most fleets through Saturday. On Sunday, all fleets will race one long “Bay Tour” course. The Classics will race once per day for all four days.
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, St. Francis Yacht Club’s Race Director. “We have made changes in the NOR to attract larger yachts by adopting the ORC rating system and allowing the use of non-manual power winches. 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, saying, “We offer comprehensive support from StFYC’s Executive Race Committee to provide big boat owners with the best possible service."
In addition to title sponsor Rolex, the week of racing is further supported by Quantum Sails 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.
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 extends the finest in hospitality for sailors visiting to compete in Rolex Big Boat Series.
For more information, please visit St. Francis Yacht Club.
ABOUT ROLEX
An unrivalled reputation for quality and expertise
Rolex is an integrated and independent Swiss watch manufacturer. 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 Perpetual 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 600 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.
ROLEX AND SAILING
Rolex celebrates human achievement, recognizing the journey marked by milestones and emotions that culminates in defining moments – determined by a path followed, not just a trophy. Since the late 1950s, Rolex has championed the perseverance and resilience in sailing across all its forms – from pioneering feats of exploration to legendary offshore races, prestigious yacht clubs and its most successful sailors. Today, Rolex supports the innovative future of sailing through its Title Partnership of the Rolex SailGP Championship, the world’s leading sailing series where the best sailors compete on identical supercharged F50 foiling catamarans on some of the world’s most famous stretches of water. Furthermore, Rolex is Title Sponsor of 15 major international events, from 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. Rolex also partners institutions that share the brand’s enduring commitment to sailing, including the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, New York Yacht Club, Royal Yacht Squadron, Royal Ocean Racing Club, Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and Royal Malta Yacht Club. Integral to this relationship are the towering figures in the sport, and Rolex honours their perpetual determination in the pursuit of excellence. From groundbreaking round-the-world yachtsman Sir Francis Chichester to modern-day sailors who embody adaptability, teamwork and precision, its family of Testimonees includes legends Paul Cayard and Robert Scheidt, the most successful Olympic sailor of all time, Sir Ben Ainslie, and heroes at the heart of the SailGP Championship, Hannah Mills, Tom Slingsby and Martine Grael.
