Big Boat Series - 1985-1990

The IOR 50-footer Abracadabra powers across a startline during the 1987 Big Boat Series (photo Phil Uhl)

The St Francis Perpetual Trophies Regatta, which became known as the Big Boat Series, was an annual regatta hosted in San Francisco Harbour by the St Francis Yacht Club, first run in 1964. After the unprecedented cancellation of the 2001 edition of the series, Latitude 38 magazine published a retrospective on the regatta, which itself was an update of its September 1993 article titled '30 Years of the Big Boat Series - Thanks for the Memories'. I have combined this overview of the results for the 1985-1990 period and have included a 'Sail' magazine article covering the 1985 regatta and some spectacular photos from Sharon Green, Guy Gurney and Phil Uhl. An earlier article featuring the 1978-1984 regattas can be seen here.

The Reichel/Pugh 43-footer Sidewinder sails downwind in typically fresh conditions during the 1985 Big Boat Series (photo Sharon Green | Ultimate Sailing)

The 1985 Big Boat Series demonstrated once again that it pays to have a new boat, but not too new. The regatta, held from 15 to 21 September, featured five class winners (amongst the 54-boat fleet) that were recently built but had enough miles for rethinking, redesigning and rebuilding. The Reichel/Pugh 43 Lobo was sailing on its second keel, as was the Nelson/Marek 49 Crazy Horse, which was also on its seventh rudder.

Coyote in a hotly contested fleet of 40-footers, with Bondi Tram visible to leeward (KA-806) during the 1985 Big Boat Series (photo Phil Uhl)

The 1985 edition was also notable for the support of the ‘new’ One Ton class, with only 0.3ft of rating separating the 15 smallest 40-foot boats, racing for the Rheem Trophy in a class that included ten One-Tonners and featured the toughest competition of the week. Constant changes in fortune kept the outcome in doubt until the final day, when a second place for John MacLaurin’s Davidson-designed Pendragon put them ahead of the Andrews 39 Impact. The Beneteau 39 Coyote (Irving Loube) and the Farr 40 General Hospital were close behind.

Fujimo leads Carat and Blade Runner during the 1987 Big Boat Series (photo Guy Gurney)

The San Francisco sea-breeze funneled in over the race area like clockwork, building to over 20-knots each day. Early races were sailed entirely on flood tides, which put a premium on upwind speed. This was no problem for Lobo, skippered by Tom Whidden, which won three races and Keefe-Kilborn Trophy, and edging out the Reichel/Pugh 42 It’s OK and the Nelson/Marek 41 Clockwork.

Abduction runs downwind alongside Lobo, seen here during the 1987 Big Boat Series (photo Phil Uhl)

Two members of the 1985 US Admiral’s Cup team competed against eight other boats for the Atlantic Perpetual Trophy. After a rushed trip to California from England, Bill Power’s Nelson/Marek 43 High Roler set the pace, winning three races to lead from the Frers 43 Shockwave and fellow team boat Sidewinder, a Reichel/Pugh 43. Meanwhile, Crazy Horse won four straight races in the City of San Francisco Trophy. She was the third lowest rating boat in a class of ten boats with a rating band of 10.7ft. The flood tides gave the bigger boats more time to work clear, but on the Bay, courses are tight, with short legs and turning marks that come around nearly as soon as a sail can be packed. That kept Crazy Horse within striking distance of quicker yachts such as the Soverel 55 The Shadow and the Frers 50 Tomahawk (second). The 1984 winner of this class, Blade Runner, was third.

The amazing spectacle of the Big Boat Series in the late 1980s captured here by Sharon Green (Ultimate Sailing) - left to right Cadenza, Shockwave, Camouflage, Blade Runner and Mauni Lani Flash

Blade Runner with her colourful spinnaker and blooper set and backlit by the Californian sun during the 1987 Big Boat Series (photo Phil Uhl) 

The 1986 series featured 53 boats. Gary Appleby's Farr 40 Sagacious came up from Australia to win the subjective 'overall boat of the series', a new award; bumper stickers and buttons proclaiming 'Shit Happens' made their first recorded appearance; Shockwave's 'Twisted Sisters' set a torrid fashion pace. IOR I - Infinity; IOR II - Roller; IOR III - Sleeper; One Ton - Sagacious.

Carat VI sails downwind during the 1987 Big Boat Series, with Locura visible to the left (photo Phil Uhl)

Another shot of Blade Runner, seen here on a reaching leg during the 1987 Big Boat Series (photo Phil Uhl)

Carat VI (left) and Fujimo during the 1987 Big Boat Series (photo Phil Uhl)

In 1987, 46 yachts competed, including 33 IOR racers in three classes. The Atlantic Perpetual class was essentially for the new breed of 50-foot 40-raters, including Fujimo that had arrived after winning her class on the Great Lakes (only to lose her mast in the third race), Wictor Forss’ Carat VI from Sweden and Vadia de Guardiola’s Locura. But it was Jubilation, the Frers 54 steered by Paul Cayard, that swept the class with four victories and which was fast enough upwind to gain nearly enough time for the entire race. As the biggest boat in the fleet, she always sailed in clear air and, although blowing a spinnaker in one race, recovered quickly to hold the lead. Blade Runner was second, Locura third, with Carat VI finishing fourth and Fujimo fifth.

Sidewinder (left) and Camouflage approach a windward mark during the 1987 Big Boat Series (photo Phil Uhl)

In the Keefe-Kilburn Perpetual class, Sidewinder, helmed by John  Bertrand, would have been an easy winner If she hadn’t fouled during the start of the second race, leaving Bruce Nelson to steer Insatiable to overall victory. However, the yacht that attracted the most attention was Quintessence, a new Reichel-Pugh 42 that had won every event since her launch in the prior spring. With a solid lead going into the final race, the crew suffered a rash of gear problems that dropped the to eighth in that race and second overall. Despite being the smallest yacht in her class, she showed remarkable power in all winds and seas. Sidewinder finished third overall, with Camouflage fourth and Jano fifth.

Quintessence to windward of the larger Locura (photo Phil Uhl)

The Rheem Perpetual class drew the largest fleet (14 boats), primarily consisting of One Tonners. The Davidson-designed Pendragon III, skippered by Kimo Worthington, won the class by never finishing lower than third and proved that a redesigned keel and rudder could make an already quick boat even faster. At one start, Pendragon was forced to decide between hitting another boat and the starting buoy. Choosing the mark, and re-rounding while the others sailed away, Pendragon steadily ground down the fleet and won the race, as well as winning the 'overall performer' award for the series. Pacific Sundance was second, with Coyote third, Skedaddle fourth and Bondi Tram fifth. General Hospital was dismasted in front of the clubhouse.

Lobo rounds a weather mark during the 1987 Big Boat Series ahead of former New Zealand yacht Equity (Farr 43) (photo Phil Uhl)

Australia's Contractor approaches a windward mark ahead of Camouflage during the 1987 Big Boat Series (photo Phil Uhl)

Swiftsure leads Blade Runner downwind during the 1987 Big Boat Series (photo Phil Uhl)

Another photo capturing the colour of top level racing in the 1987 Big Boat Series, with Fujimo seen here leading Swiftsure with Blade Runner further astern (photo Phil Uhl)

The Soverel-designed 50-footer Locura running downwind wtih spinnaker and blooper set during the 1987 Big Boat Series (photo Phil Uhl)

Part of the One Ton fleet in the 1987 Big Boat Series, General Hospital follows Sundance (left), with Bondi Tram just visible ahead (yellow blooper) and eventual winner of the division Pendragon leading (photo Phil Uhl)

Fujimo crosses ahead of Carat at a weather mark during the 1987 series (photo Phil Uhl)

The Reichel/Pugh One Tonner Skedaddle rounds a leeward mark during the 1987 Big Boat Series, she went on to finish fourth in class (photo Phil Uhl)

1988 was the Big Boat Series' 25th anniversary, as well as IOR's last big hurrah in the US. Although featuring a reduced entry of 38 boats, everything fell into place to make this a fabulous event - it followed a maxi year at the Kenwood Cup and the One Ton Worlds that were held two weeks prior on the Bay. Raul Gardini and Paul Cayard teamed up on Il Moro to decimate eight other maxis with five bullets, while Tom Blackaller called tactics on the victorious Farr 50 Great News against nine hot 50-footers, edging out Royal Blue and Abracadabra. Blade Runner hooked a buoy with its lazy runner and inverted her mast three feet, but it didn't break. The Peter Gilmour-driven maxi Sovereign broke theirs, however. Maxi - Il Moro di Venezia; IOR 50 - Great News; IOR II -Shockwave; One Ton - Pendragon.

Big Boat Series - The Shadow (Soverell 55) leads Checkmate and Jubilation (photographer unknown)

A mighty battle occurred amongst a fleet of eight maxis in the 1988 Big Boat Series, though it was won convincingly by Il Moro di Venezia - here we see Congere leading Matador (US-33700), Sovereign and Windward Passage II in tight reaching conditions on the Bay (photo Guy Gurney)

The bowman working in white water aboard Fujimo, trailing Insatiable, during the 1988 Big Boat Series (photo Guy Gurney)

The Vallicelli-designed 50-footer Springbok in power reaching conditions during the 1988 Big Boat Series (photo Sharon Green | Ultimate Sailing)

For 1989 it was evident that interest had declined further, with entries reducing to just 24 boats, possibly the Big Boat Series’ darkest hour. Cadillac sponsored this series (the first time that sponsorship was allowed) and ESPN televised it (with a heavy focus on the 50-foot and 70-foot sleds). IOR I - Shockwave; IOR II - Pendragon.

Sorcery in a close tussle with Matador during the 1988 Big Boat Series (photo Sharon Green)

Bloopers as well as spinnakers kept the bowman busy during the 1980's - in this case Blade Runner during the 1987 Big Boat Series (photo Phil Uhl)

The 1990 series featured a whole new look, with the regatta shortened from its previous week-long format to six races over four days. Two different courses were used for the first time, and attracted 57 boats. The highly-touted IMS rule debuted to mixed reviews, while IOR wheezed through its final death throes. Meanwhile, the rest of the series quietly went one design. IOR I - Blade Runner, IOR II – Will.

More bowman action, again during the 1987 Big Boat Series (photo Phil Uhl)

Article updated July 2026

Razzle Dazzle (Irwin 42)

This article is about two of the 42-foot Razzle Dazzle yachts designed by Ted Irwin. The first competed in the 1983 and 1984 SORC regattas. The second was built to make her debut for the 1985 edition. An earlier Razzle Dazzle had sailed well in the 1982 SORC and the design became the basis of the Irwin 41.

Razzle Dazzle sails downwind during the 1984 SORC (photo Larry Moran)

The original Razzle Dazzle was considered to be one of the fastest yachts upwind and close-reaching in a breeze in the 1983 and 1984 editions of the SORC, but didn't manage to finish all the races it started. In 1983 she was forced to retire from two races and couldn't start in a third, finishing ninth in Class E (with race results of 3/DNF/DNS/2/DNF/1) and 53rd overall. In 1984 she finished five of the six races and sixth in Class E (1/DNF/3/5/8/1) and 16th overall. Over that period she twice won the Nassau Cup in the Bahamas and not only topped her class but was the overall winner in the 1984 St Petersburg - Boca Grande race. 

Razzle Dazzle in hard running conditions during the St Petersburg to Ft Lauderdale race during the 1984 SORC (photo Larry Moran)

For 1985 Irwin did not come out with an exact twin of the earlier Razzle Dazzle, as the new boat featured a centreboard instead of a keel. While such appendages became popular for a brief and controversial period in offshore racing in the late 1970s, it was a radical departure from the norm by the mid-1980s. Irwin nevertheless considered that the centreboard would be an advantage in SORC conditions. The board was on the small side (as was the previous Razzle Dazzle's keel), but nevertheless weighed over 5,000lbs, with an elliptical trailing edge. The board was lifted hydraulically about three feet into the hull, and was fitted with a gasket to reduce turbulence around the trunk.

Razzle Dazzle performs a spectacular wipe-out during the 1984 SORC as captured by Guy Gurney

The centreboard's retractability gave a considerable reduction in wetted surface area off the wind, as recognised by the IOR and leading to a 0.3ft rating penalty. As the boat featured a high sail area/wetted surface area ratio already, removing half the foil area suggested the potential for good speeds in light airs downwind. 

The centreboard trunk and hydraulic mechanism of Razzle Dazzle in photo 1 (left) and her complex genoa car set-up in photo 2 (Yachting magazine) 

Razzle Dazzle leads the Italian yacht Almagores in light airs during the 1985 SORC (photo Paul Mello)

Apart from this notable feature, Irwin was focused on retaining the phenomenal ability of the original Razzle Dazzle to go fast to windward in a breeze, and her other distinguishing feature was a chine running along her stern counter. With similar livery and the same sail number as her predecessor (which had since been sold to a New England yachtsman and re-named Mohuaki) it could be a little difficult to outwardly tell the difference between the two boats, although the open transom of the new boat did help in this regard. She was also designed to be eligible for the US trials series for the 1985 Admiral's Cup, and her 31.7ft rating (for the 1985 SORC) fell easily within the 33.5ft upper limit that organisers had set for the team. 

Razzle Dazzle rounds a windward mark in close company with Lobo during the 1985 SORC (photo Sharon Green | Ultimate Sailing)

Compared to other similar-sized entries in the Class 4 division of the SORC in 1985 (e.g., Snake Oil, Sidewinder and Scarlett O'Hara), the new Razzle Dazzle was smaller in absolute terms (shorter and lighter) but had the highest displacement/length ratio, and the smallest sail area/displacement ratio. Similar to the earlier boat, Razzle Dazzle had a large proportion of her total displacement as internal ballast, which was expected to reduce pitching moment and improve her performance in a seaway. However, she was also noted to have the widest beam of her group, which provides a rating advantage but can also be a handicap in wavy conditions. 

Razzle Dazzle follows High Roler and Sleeper during the 1985 SORC (photo Sharon Green | Ultimate Sailing)

In the end, however, Razzle Dazzle was only able to manage eighth in the 21-boat fleet in Class 4, with placings of 6/12/11/10/7/17, and 37th overall, in the 1985 SORC. She went on to compete later that year in the US Admiral's Cup trials (presumably with some alterations designed to increase her speed as her rating had increased for that regatta to 32.0ft), but was not successful. 

Razzle Dazzle during the 1985 SORC (photo Paul Mello)

Razzle Dazzle rounds a weather mark during the 1985 Brenton Reef US Admiral's Cup trials (photo Phil Uhl)

Razzle Dazzle with a twisted spinnaker during the 1985 Brenton Reef series (photo Facebook)

A recent photograph (date unknown) shows that the yacht has since been laid up and looks somewhat forlorn.

Article dated March 2024

SORC 1985

This article features some more great photographs from Sharon Green/Ultimate Sailing from the 1985 SORC series, as well as commentary from a Seahorse article at the time. 

High Roler during the Boca Grand-St Petersburg race

The SORC was the premier offshore regatta in the US, and had begun to take on an international flavour, with the Germans attending in 1984 after their Admiral's Cup victory in 1983. They had arrived with Outsider, Container, Pinta and of course, Diva which was top individual yacht overall. For 1985 it was the turn of the Italians, who came in style following the 12m World Championships, with Brava, Gemini, Almagores, Nitissima and Templar's C. Nitissima, Gemini, and Brava all had class wins in individual races, whilst Templar's C took an overall win in the 150 mile Ocean Triangle. It was also the year that brought the early-launched Whitbread race contenders to Miami, and was also unique in that for the first time the US would not be selecting their Admiral's Cup team from the SORC results, which would be held later in Newport, Rhode Island (and limited to yachts rating no more than 33.5ft). 

Matador crosses behind Kialoa 

The 75 boats that lined up for the 1985 SORC did not fail to impress with the high level of construction detail, finish, preparation, rigs and crew. Lightness and stiffness was pursued with high carbon fibre content for compressive and tensile strength, and US mast engineering prowess on show with chemically etched and milled rigs with hydraulic checkstays and rapid 'Farr' style tapers to a 3 inch diameter at the tip. Sails showed a myriad of construction techniques using the latest cloths, such as warp-inserted Kevlar laminates from Dimension and the use of Kevlar tapes to link major load areas without the need for two-plying. 

Smiles, overall winner of the 1985 SORC

Eight different designers were represented in the top ten, with Farr and the Faroux, Finot, Berret-designed Beneteau One Tonners having two of the top yachts apiece. Interestingly, even with all the competitive new custom boats hitting the water, production One Tonners took 1st, 2nd and 6th place, and One Tonners overall took out six of the top ten places, the other places by 42/43 footers. It had traditionally been the Europeans sailing the leading small boats, but this year the three US-sailed One Tonners - Smiles a masthead J41, Glory a Beneteau 40 and Total Eclipse (ex-Geronimo) a Farr - came out on top. In the 1984 series another J41, Dazzler, placed third overall, and in 1985 Charlie Scott demonstrated the good all-round ability of the J41 design to take the overall honours. The second-generation Beneteau One Tonners, Glory and Fair Lady (sixth) were 400kg lighter than the 1984 versions with a more hi-tech layup and greater attention to detail in construction of the ends to save weight. 

Total Eclipse rounds a leeward mark

While Farr had only two designs in the fleet, they took third and fourth overall, and it was unlucky that Total Eclipse, the oldest boat in the fleet and skippered by sailmaker Bill Shore, did not win overall after posting 3/2/4, and then 2nd in the final race before a disappointng 52nd in the Ocean Triangle (race 4) after sailing too long in the Gulf Stream. The other Farr boat, the 43 foot Snake Oil, was leading overall after four races with two class wins. But the final Miami-Nassau race, once again, turned out to be a small boat procession with the fleet results in exactly the reverse order of size. Snake Oil's 42nd in that race pushed her down to third overall.

Snake Oil tacks away from Sweden's Carat

Some of the best competition was in Class B, which was almost a Frers' one design class with Morning Star, Nitissima, Fujimo, Tomahawk, Carat, Springbok and Jubilation battling it out, and John Kolius on Morning Star eventually taking the class win.

Springbok crosses behind Morning Star

In the Maxi fleet the Frers-designed Boomerang continued to dominate with five class wins although at times she was pushed by Matador (ex-Huaso). The challenge from the new Holland-designed maxi Sassy failed to materialise after she lost her rig in the Lipton Cup.

Overall winner of Class A, Boomerang

Sleeper, a Nelson/Marek 42 skippered by Lowell North, took three wins in Class D, one of the most competitive classes, but finished second behind the Irwin 42 Slick. 

Brooke Ann

High Roler leading Sleeper and Razzle Dazzle

Innisfree

Lobo, helmed by Dennis Conner, third in Class D and tenth overall

Jubilation in startline action in Class B

Razzle Dazzle, an Irwin 42, showing her interesting chined stern sections while rounding a weather mark just behind Lobo

Class D boats prepare for a start during the 1985 SORC