Maritime Museum of San Diego will race the 142-foot schooner Californian in the 31st annual America’s Schooner Cup Saturday, March 30, hosted by Silver Gate Yacht Club. About a dozen schooners are expected to compete.
Californian, the official tall ship of the state and popular on-the-water adventure attraction, is a replica of the 1847 Revenue Cutter C.W. Lawrence, which patrolled the coast of California enforcing federal law during the gold rush.
Some of the West Coast’s most beautiful traditional vessels will hoist their gleaming white sails and cross the starting line at 11:30 a.m. as the 31st 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 public nonprofit organization that exists to help meet the emergent financial needs of active duty and retired sailors, Marines, and their families. The public is invited to 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 from a nice beach near the launch ramp on Shelter Island.
Guests can purchase tickets from Maritime Museum of San Diego to sail aboard Californian during the race and cheer volunteer sail crew on surrounded by schooner competitors. Maritime, history and outdoor enthusiasts are encouraged to join in the fun day on the water.
For those interested in watching the race from the Spanish galleon replica San Salvador, representative of the ship explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo sailed into San Diego Bay in 1542, tickets are available to come aboard the adventure day sail experience. Check in and boarding begins at 11 a.m.at the museum, departing at noon and returning at 4 p.m. Tickets range from $59 for ages 3-12 to $99 for adults.
Tickets to sail aboard Californian can be purchased at Maritime Museum of San Diego at 1492 N. Harbor Drive located along the north embarcadero bayfront or at sdmaritime.org. This unique bay race experience is $89 for adults and $59 for children age 3-12. Check-in begins at 9 a.m. with boarding at 10:15 a.m. at the museum. Californian departs the Museum dock at 10:30 a.m. Crews will return passengers to the Maritime Museum following the race. For details and reservations visit sdmaritime.org.
Proceeds from Californian’s participation in America’s Schooner Cup benefit the Maritime Museum of San Diego historic ships and education programs.
