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Scott Abrams, Clarence MacFarlane’s Grandson, racing his last Transpac

Clarence MacFarlane is considered to be the founder of Transpacific Yacht Race because he helped organize the first “Transpac” in June 1906, and he skippered his own schooner La Paloma in that race. Commodore MacFarlane would be proud of his grandson, Scott Abrams, who is sailing his 16^th and last Transpac this year. It will be Scott’s last Transpac because Scott passed away last November after a long and valiant battle with Leukemia.

Whittier Trust – Heritage Sponsor of Transpac 51

For almost 100 years, Transpac and Whittier Trust have shared a commitment to meeting challenges. It was in 1923 that Max Whittier entered his family’s 107-foot war surplus yawl Pointsettia in the Transpac. They were met with the challenge of old, worn-out sails that failed when the wind blew hard, and no engine for when the wind quit.

Nonetheless, the family persevered with a commitment to offshore sailing, enjoying the sport “not because its easy, but because its hard,” as another sailor, John F. Kennedy, once said… OK, JFK was describing space travel, but you get the idea.

Transpac 2021: Full Steam Ahead

The Board of Directors of the Transpacific YC has confirmed the 2021 Transpac race is on. Interest is strong among participants, sponsors and members of the club to have no interruption this year in the 105-year history of this classic 2225-mile biennial ocean race from Los Angeles to Honolulu.

With a strong turnout of 58 entries to date, three start dates are still on schedule, with the first start planned for July 13, 2021.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has presented many challenges for us in planning this 51st edition of the race,” said TPYC Commodore Jim Eddy, “particularly for shore side logistics and social events at both the start and finish venues. Nonetheless, we have been working through many scenarios with some expert help and feel confident about conducting this race safely.”

Transpac 51 Has 52 Entries, Entry Fee Deadline Extended

With the first of three starts now less than six months away, the 51st edition of the biennial Los Angeles to Honolulu Transpac race is still building its entry list, having reached 52 registered yachts last week. More entries are being anticipated, with race organizers at the Transpacific Yacht Club recently extending the deadline for Standard Entry Fee payment from March 1st to April 30th, 2021.

Prince Waikiki Hotel

Transpacific Yacht Club is proud to partner with the Prince Waikiki Luxury Hotel. The hotel is located in the Ala Wai Marina, with convenient access for all boats docked there after the race, and a 5 minute walk to the yacht clubs and the Race Headquarters. Special rates for Transpac Race teams and families are available now. Make reservations through our custom reservation link to secure these rates.

RESERVATIONS LINK

PRINCE WAIKIKI
100 Holomoana Street, Honolulu, HI 96815
844-207-9998

$249 per night, plus taxes | Run of Ocean
$395 per night, plus taxes | One-Bedroom Ocean View Suite
$550 per night, plus taxes | One-Bedroom Ocean Front Suite

Navigation, Strategy, Weather & Electronics Seminar with Peter Isler

Presented by 2x America's Cup (and Transpac Race) winner, Peter Isler
Special guest presentations by veteran meteorologist, Chris Bedford & Marine electronics guru and Transpac Race record-holding navigator, Artie Means

Live Webinar - Saturday, February 20 - 9AM-1230PM PST
(available online afterwards for 24/7 access if you can't make the live show)

A great way to kick start your preparation for the big race. Peter will review the race strategy, pre-race weather study, in-race optimal routing and tactics, satellite data techniques, afterguard/navigator communication and much more. Much of the presentation will feature Expedition Navigation & Racing software and Peter will share his knowledge of this powerful tool.

Competitor Goals for Transpac 2021

January is a time for resolutions and we asked our 2021 competitors about their goals for the 51st Transpac Race. Be sure to check out all the competitor profiles and keep with the latest on our social media channels.

Over 40 entries registered for 2021 Transpac

As of November 2nd, 8 months and 10 days in advance of the first start on July 13, 2021, there are 42 confirmed entries in the 51st edition of the Transpacific Yacht Club’s race from Los Angeles to Honolulu, the Transpac. This 2225-mile biennial race is an ocean racing classic, first sailed in 1906 as an idea inspired a decade earlier by Hawaiian King David Kalakaua, and has been an attraction for all avid ocean racers and adventurers ever since.

The milestone 40th entry was made by San Francisco Bay area-based Dave MacEwen with his Rogers 46 Lucky Duck. Dave is not new to Transpac: in three previous editions he and his team on his Santa Cruz 52 of the same name (shown at left at the start of the 2019 race) have earned respectable results, placing third in both the 2019 and 2015 editions in the “Fabulous Fifties” group of SC 50’s and SC 52’s, one of the more competitive classes in the race.