Master Mariners Toast the Past — and Prepare for the Start Line
The Master Mariners Benevolent Association gathered on Friday, May 16, at the St. Francis Yacht Club for its annual Sponsors and Skippers Luncheon — an event that honors the individuals and organizations supporting the preservation of traditional sailing vessels on San Francisco Bay.
Continuing a long-standing tradition, the luncheon included the ceremonial presentation of sponsor flags to participating regatta skippers. Jim Cullen’s 47-foot schooner, Gold Star, was selected to fly the Latitude 38 flag. Gold Star also appears on the official 2025 Master Mariners merchandise.
A special moment during the luncheon was the presentation of lifetime membership to Randall von Wedel, recognizing his decades-long commitment to wooden boat sailing. Commodore Hans List made the presentation.
“I have enjoyed many Master Mariners events over the last 45 years,” von Wedel said, “starting with the annual regatta of 1980 aboard my Hurricane #8 — Gene Buck’s former Mahalo. We proudly sailed her with the original Egyptian cotton mainsail crafted by Pete Sutter.”
The 2025 Master Mariners Regatta is set for Saturday, May 24, with classic vessels racing across San Francisco Bay, followed by an awards dinner at the Encinal Yacht Club in Alameda.
The season continues with the Master Mariners Wooden Boat Show on Sunday, June 15, at the Corinthian Yacht Club in Tiburon. The day offers a unique opportunity to tour an impressive collection of classic boats and meet the people who maintain them. Admission is $20, and it’s open to the public
For full event details, visit sfmastermariners.org.
Jack Sloane, Chris Cassell, Michael Simon, and I will be bringing Jack’s Tahiti Ketch “Briar Rose” down from Bodega Bay on Friday. We’ll be racing Commodore Hans List’s sister ship “Sequestor”, along with other mid-sized gaffers on Division G2. This will be my 3rd trip down with Jack, and it’s always been an adventure. Last year, we gave a brown pelican a 10 mile ride; we were headed towards the Farallones, and they slid down the mizzenmast sail to my head, staying on board until we gibed toward Stinson Beach. Last October, we were passed within spitting distance by a pod of rare Minke whales on their way north. I can’t wait to share the wonder with Chris and Michael. Rachel Porter will join us Saturday for the racing.
Congratulations to all- I love Master Mariners and miss competing in the event. Have a blast- everyone !