Entries Open for St. Francis Yacht Club’s Rolex Big Boat Series

It’s never too early to think ahead. As we lean into longer days, warmer weather and summer sailing, St. Francis Yacht Club has opened the registration door for September’s Rolex Big Boat Series. Many West Coast sailors use the spring and summer racing season to refine performance in preparation for this fall grand prix event.

The 61st Rolex Big Boat Series is on the calendar for September 10-14, 2025, when conditions on San Francisco Bay should be ideal for fast and thrilling competition. The regatta rewards the best West Coast racers with perpetual trophies and Rolex wristwatches for select fleets.

What Boats Are Eligible?

Who’s invited? One designs, classics and boats with ORC ratings:

• 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 an application to Race Director Felix Weidling.
• ORC monohulls with an LOA of at least 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 an LOA of 48 feet or more and a current ORRez rating certificate.

“Rolex Big Boat Series always delivers lots of fun and excitement both on and off the racecourse,” said StFYC’s executive race committee chair, Dave MacEwen. Dave’s Rogers 46 Lucky Duck won the ORC A division last year. He points out that the event will include special awards in addition to the coveted Rolexes. RBBS will again serve 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.”

The Storm Trysail Team Trophy will be presented to the top-scoring three-boat team consisting of one ORC boat, one one-design boat and one boat from any class (including ORC and one design). Trios competing do not need to represent the same yacht club. This marks a break from tradition that should expand the competitive pool significantly.

“I am excited to welcome both new and returning competitors to the 61st Rolex Big Boat Series,” said Nadine Franczyk, the regatta chair for 2025. “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.”

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, StFYC’s race director. “We have made changes in the NOR [Notice of Race] to attract larger yachts by adopting the ORC rating system and allowing the use of non-manual power winches.” The latter is new this year. “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. “We offer comprehensive support from StFYC’s Executive Race Committee to provide big-boat owners with the best possible service.”

What’s on Shore?

In addition to title sponsor Rolex, supporters include:

• Quantum Sails, with 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.

We captured last year’s scene in our Rolex Big Boat Series feature in the October 2024 issue of Latitude 38.

Click here to review the 2025 NOR and sign up!