A Gathering of the Cal 40s

One hundred eight Cal 40s were built since they were introduced in 1963 and finished production in 1971, and, at the time, they were considered a radical design. Fifty-five years later they continue to inspire sailors and make themselves known on the race course and the world’s oceans. In our current October issue we wrote about Don Jesberg, who’s renovating hull #103, and just last weekend nine Bay Area Cal 40s gathered at the Encinal Yacht Club for a local reunion.

“We had a great weekend at the Encinal Yacht Club on October 13-14,” reported Rodney Pimentel of the Cal 40 Azure, “Nine boats came out to share stories and discuss boat projects. All but the two newest owners have raced to Hawaii. Fred Cook’s Sequoia is definitely one of the nicest boats in the fleet, but she has some pretty stiff competition from Longboard and others. Seven Cal 40s are currently signed up for next year’s Transpac. Azure and Don Jesberg’s Viva will be representing Northern California.”

Sixty-nine boats have entered the upcoming 2019 50th running of the legendary Transpac race to Hawaii. Right now, the Cal 40 class is the largest one-design class in the event, and it’s likely to stay that way!