Maritime Museum Of San Diego’s Schooner Californian Participates In SGYC 34th Annual America’s Schooner Cup
Maritime Museum of San Diego Californian Sail Crew Proud of their First ASC 2019 Win Prepare Official Tall Ship of the State to Share Racing Experience with Public
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Saturday April 1, 2023
Maritime Museum of San Diego, with an international reputation for excellence in restoring, maintaining, and operating historic vessels, will race the 142-foot schooner Californian in the 34th annual America’s Schooner Cup Saturday, hosted by Silver Gate Yacht Club. Californian, official tall ship of the state of California, and a signature historic vessel among the collection found at Maritime Museum of San Diego, won her first America’s Schooner Cup March 30, 2019.
Raymond Ashley, Ph.D., K.C.I., President/CEO of the Maritime Museum of San Diego shares his perspective of the tall ship Californian. “More than any other type of vessel, the schooner has migrated from the pages of history and into the world of legend, art, and poetry that we all claim as part of our culture.” Californian, built from the ground up at Spanish Landing in San Diego in 1984, is a replica of the 1847 Revenue Cutter C.W. Lawrence, which patrolled the coast of California enforcing federal law during the gold rush and able to chase after tall ships making their way to San Francisco to skirt tariffs. Designed for speed, Californian has seven sails, carries 7,000 square feet of canvas, and is armed with four six-pound deck guns.
According to Captain Ray Stewart, skipper of Californian for the 2019 race, “We screamed out of the harbor having the sail we always dreamed about. The wind freshened out of the northwest to about 10-12 knots. The tide was draining the Bay, so we sailed with current in our favor. The horn sounded and we trimmed all the sails and went across the starting line about six seconds after the start. It was a classic start and only performed by the best of crews. We were off on a beam reach and no sail boats in sight.”
“After nailing the start of the race, we reached under topsails all the way out the channel,” Maritime Museum of San Diego Sail Crew member and Californian tactician Carl Scragg explains. “This was the best point of sail for Californian and by the time we got to the first turning mark of the course, we had built up a sizable lead. Saturday was one of my most memorable days sailing Californian. Good start, fair wind, favorable course, and great crew work – it was just Californian’s day to shine.”
Some of the West Coast’s most beautiful traditional vessels will hoist their gleaming white sails and cross the starting line off Shelter Island 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 1 , 2023 as the 34th Annual America’s Schooner Cup Charity Regatta takes place off San Diego Bay and raises funds for the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS), a Navy-sponsored 501c (3) public nonprofit organization that exists to help meet the emergent financial needs of active duty and retired Sailors, Marines, and their families. The public may watch the race from shore – or come aboard a schooner and see the competition on the water first-hand.
The regatta draws West Coast schooners of all size and vintages racing on a course designed to make it easy for the public to watch the start and finish ashore on Shelter Island.
Saturday April 1, 2023
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Book now! America’s Schooner Cup racing aboard Californian
Check-in ends at 10:10 sharp. Suggest arriving by 9:45, line up at gate, so you can get checked-in when ticket booth opens at 10am.Tickets:
$119.00 adults
$114.00 seniors 62+, military, and students 13-17
$69.00 child 12 and under
$99.00 member adult
$59.00 member child 12 and underEstimated return time approximately 3:00 p.m.
Ticket include general admission.
Proceeds from Californian’s participation in America’s Schooner Cup benefit the Maritime Museum of San Diego historic ships and education programs.
Previous years event photos
Photo by Darrall Slater
About the Maritime Museum of San Diego
The Maritime Museum of San Diego experience includes admission to a world-class collection of historic sailing ships, steam-powered boats, and submarine, each offering entertaining and educational exhibits. The 501c3 non-profit Museum enjoys an international reputation for excellence in restoring, maintaining, and operating historic vessels including the world’s oldest active sailing ship, Star of India. Maritime Museum of San Diego is ranked as one of the nation’s top attractions offering self-guided tours, docent guided-group tours, tall ship charters, year round public events, educational programs, and a distinctive venue for corporate/private events. The Museum is open daily along Star of India Wharf at 1492 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101-3309.
About the America’s Schooner Cup
The America’s Schooner Cup Charity Regatta is hosted by the Silver Gate Yacht Club. The event benefits the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, which provides financial, educational, and post combat support to members of the Naval Service, eligible family members, and survivors. Additional information is available from Jerry Newton at (619) 222-1281 and at www.AmericasSchoonerCup.com.