Crossing the Pacific Ocean on a sailboat is a bucket list item for many. Some do it on their own boats, which can be a very daunting undertaking, and some crew on other people’s boats. Some make the crossing from California to Hawaii as crew in a race while some opt to make a mellow, cruising passage. This article is about the crossings I have made on racing yachts, and an invitation to participate in the process of designing a Pacific crossing on Atalanta for the summer of 2024.

*Atalanta ready to take on the Pacific!*

The opportunity: Hawaii 2024 aboard Atalanta

With many thousands of ocean miles under my keel and a keen interest in making Pacific crossings available to more sailors, I am pleased to announce that Atalanta will make a Pacific crossing in the summer of 2024. This may either be as part of the Pacific Cup Race from San Francisco to Kaneohe Bay, or as a more relaxed crossing on our own, depending on what clients desire.

I invite interested sailors to contact me to talk about what they would hope to get out of a major offshore undertaking such as this.

Is an organized race appealing? That would be sailing hard day and night in order to be competitive. Or, does a more leisurely passage hold greater allure? As a cruise, we would have a chef on board, and take the spinnaker down at night for easy and low-stress sailing and star gazing in the dark.

*Atalanta: a comfortable and capable offshore yacht*

What gets you excited about a crossing to Hawaii? A race? A cruise? A delivery home? Contact me and let me know! In the coming months, with your input, I will make a decision about what kind of passage Atalanta will make, and encourage sailors of all experience levels to sign up as we take on this ultimate West Coast offshore sailing adventure!

Racing to Hawaii

The now 117 year old Transpac Yacht Race from Long Beach to Honolulu, and the Pacific Cup from San Francisco to Kaneohe Bay, are some of the longest ocean races in the world at over 2,000 nautical miles. Large fleets, consistently excellent sailing conditions, and a beautiful landfall in Hawaii make this a must-do for West Coast racing sailors.

*2019 Transpac brochure featuring the Santa Cruz 70 Buona Sera*

After several years racing in the Mediterranean and across the Atlantic in the Caribbean. I eventually returned to California and turned to my dream of sailing across the Pacific, possibly as crew in a race to Hawaii. This was the ultimate offshore challenge right in my own back yard!

*At the helm of Cipango on final approach to Diamond Head, 2005 Transpac*

ln 2005, I was excited to have the opportunity to participate in my first Transpac race on the Andrews 56 Cipango, based out of Richmond. The all Corinthian (amateur) crew of 11 battled a division of similar 50-60 footers and ended third in our division. Finishing off Diamond Head was a spectacular culmination to what had been a year of preparation and training, fulfilling one of my sailing dreams.

My next Hawaii race was in 2018 (two kids and a career later), when I participated in the Pacific Cup, billed as the “Fun Race to Hawaii,” on the Grand Soleil 50 Alessandra, with a mix of professional and amateur crew. This luxurious racer-cruiser had a similar layout to Atalanta, including electric winches, comfortable bunks and a refrigerator/freezer.

*We ate very well on this trip, Pacific Cup 2018*

In 2019, I had the opportunity to join the well-traveled Santa Cruz 70 Buona Sera with a mix of professional and high-level amateurs. For me, doing the Transpac on a Santa Cruz 70 was a dream come true. The original ultralight displacement boat, affectionately known as a “sled,” the 70 was built with one thing in mind: winning long, downwind races like the Transpac, and in so doing it inspired an entirely new era of yacht design.

*Concentrating on sail trim in the early stages of the race before reaching the steady winds, Transpac 2019*

We experienced drifting conditions at the start trying to get offshore, but despite the calm, we got little sleep. Too much competition and excitement around us!

*A3 spinnaker and genoa staysail in the early, reaching stages of the race, Transpac 2019*

Once we reached the trade winds and set our running spinnaker, the boat surfed its way down the waves, making sustained speeds in the teens and low 20s. With a modern keel and rudder configuration, the 70 was a delight to steer with a feather-light helm and high-speed gearing on the primary winches connected to a “coffee grinder” pedestal for constantly trimming the spinnaker sheet.

Racing or sailing to Hawaii is a unique endeavor, full of anticipation, beauty, adventure, and excitement. It is the natural progression for west coast sailors as they take on bigger and more demanding challenges.

*Buona Sera at her spot on Sled Row, Honolulu, Transpac 2019*

This year, I will join Buona Sera again for the Transpac Race, but I am excited for the summer of 2024 when Shearwater Sailing will expand its offerings to include our first long, blue water passage. Open ocean sailing is challenging, but the rewards are immense.

Dream a little, and I look forward to hearing from you!

A Grand Adventure Across the Pacific

Shearwater Sailing, LLC

A Grand Adventure Across the Pacific

Atalanta: Refitting a Modern Classic - Part 1 of 3

40 Hour Weekend

Shearwater Sailing, LLC