Racing

Master Mariners Regatta

By Andy Turpin | May 30, 2012 | San Francisco Bay |

Moving like an express train that’s behind schedule, the 82-ft M-class sloop Pursuit roared across the Central Bay toward the Blackaller jibe mark. A true labor of love, she’d spent decades idling in her slip before owner Ron MacAnnan put this 1929 classic back in racing form.

latitude/Andy
©2012 Latitude 38 Media, LLC

It would be hard to imagine more ideal conditions for the annual Master Mariners’ Regatta, sailed last Saturday. With mostly clear skies and 20-25 knots of steady breeze over much of the course, even the heaviest boats on the roster of entries could move along the course at hull speed with all their rags flying.

Vixen, which graced this year’s T-shirts and coffee cups, was built in 1904.

latitude/Andy
©2012 Latitude 38 Media, LLC

As photographers, shooting the Master Mariners is one of our favorite annual assignments, as the fleet comprises a veritable floating museum of vintage sailboat designs. From small wooden classics like Birds and Bears to large, elegant schooners, the beauty of this year’s fleet was astounding. One look at the meticulously maintained brightwork and polished bronze hints at the countless hours of work that goes into each and every entry in preparation for this race, which for many entries is the most important outing of the year.

Race Chair Bill Belmont couldn’t resist sailing his Farallon Clipper Credit (left). In the foreground Sunda, a 1939 Ben Seaborn design built in 1941, approaches the Blackaller buoy off Crissy Field.

latitude/Andy
©2012 Latitude 38 Media, LLC

The race contained the usual amount of drama, with torn sails, broken gear and even a man overboard (who was quickly rescued, thank God), and a roaring party at the Encinal YC afterward. We’ll have a complete report in the July edition of Latitude 38, but for now we’ll let the pictures do the talking.