Knarrs and Folkboats Kick Off Their Season With the Spring Classic Invitational at SYC

It’s been an unusual start to the season for the wooden one-design classes of San Francisco Bay. The vast majority of the Knarrs and Folkboats are docked in the San Francisco Marina West Harbor. Due to the dredging situation of the past few months, both fleets’ first two events of the season were canceled. But on June 6–7, they crossed the Bay for the Spring Classic Boat Invitational at Sausalito Yacht Club.

Eighteen boats total were signed up, with 13 Knarrs and five Folkboats, though they had to wait one more day to start their season, as there was not enough wind to get a race off at Knox on Saturday.

On Sunday, each fleet sailed three races in sunny and moderately breezy conditions. The Knarr fleet was won by Jon Perkins and Kurt Hemmingsen aboard Kulani (StFYC) with a total of six points. The duo won the first race of the event, and then finished third and second in races two and three.

In second place was another Perkins: Chris, with Hans Baldauf on Three Boys and a Girl (StFYC), scoring nine points and finishing one boat behind the other Perkins boat in each race. One point behind the Perkins division and rounding out the podium was Niuhi (StFYC), skippered by Randy Hecht, with Russ Silvestri calling tactics.

Niuhi won races two and three, but an eighth in race one put them behind the Perkins brothers. Hecht’s J/105 of the same name was being raced at Encinal Yacht Club’s One Design Invitational at the same time, with Maggie Bacon driving (they also finished third).

The five-boat Folkboat fleet was won by a familiar face: Peter Jeal aboard Polperro (BVBC). Jeal won races one and two, and finished second in race three.

Both fleets will continue their 2026 season in late June at StFYC’s Woodies Invitational. You can find the full scores from SYC’s Classic Boat Invitational here.