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WITH A STORIED PAST, RAGTIME SETS SAIL IN TRANSPAC 2025
Over the years, Transpac has drawn many legends of yacht racing—this year one one such legend, Ragtime, returns after years away.
Recently relaunched and sporting significant upgrades, Ragtime's signature black hull and sleek low profile will still be recognizable to longtime fans of what's considered to be the original ultra light displacement boat (ULDB).
It’s Ragtime’s first Transpac since 2009, but this legendary race boat is no stranger to this legendary race. Ragtime has competed in several Transpacs—the first in 1973 when she won the prestigious "Barn Door" trophy, beating favored-to-win Windward Passage by 4 minutes and 31 seconds. This year marks the 50th anniversary of her next first-place finish, when she defeated Windward Passage again. Though many of Ragtime’s past rivals haven’t survived into the modern era, one boat that was specifically built to beat her is also racing in Transpac 2025—Bill Lee’s Merlin.
“It’s super exciting to be facing off against Merlin this year,” said owner and skipper Tina Roberts, who feels that Ragtime’s history with this race is what sets Transpac apart from the other regattas in their busy schedule back on the water. “As a sailor, my goal is to provide stewardship for Ragtime,” said Roberts.
"There are so many memories of this boat and this race, and I feel a dedication to bring her to Transpac.” — Tina Roberts
Ragtime relaunched in late 2024 after an extensive refit. Photo © Steve Jost
Designed by John Spencer and built in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1963 Ragtime launched under the name Infidel and almost instantly started making headlines. Early racing years were marked by controversy; she was barred from the Sydney Hobart Race because of the relative thinness of her plywood hull, considered unserious construction for an ocean-going racer.
She proved to be strong in hull, fierce in competition and an icon in the making—the Santa Cruz 50s, 70s and other downwind sleds that we see today are based on her design. In 1969, she was brought to the United States, rechristened Ragtime and sailed for decades under various owners and with varying levels of care. By 2003, she was languishing in Southern California and put up for sale at a county auction. Chris Welsh, Jon Richards, Alan Peterson and Scott Zimmer were among the few bidders and won Ragtime for $125,000. The group fixed up the boat in time for the 2005 Transpac, after which Welsh took sole ownership, racing her for several years, often to first place and podium finishes, in Transpac, the LA-Tahiti Transpac, Rolex Sydney Hobart, Rolex Big Boat Series and many other races on the West Coast circuit.
New rig, new sails, new chainplates, same famous lines. Photo © Steve Jost
The fame of her boat is not lost on Roberts. “When I tell people I own her, I often get the response ‘you mean THE Ragtime?!’”
Roberts took ownership of this illustrious sailing yacht following the unexpected passing of Welsh, her partner, in 2021. Ragtime had been on the hard since 2018 and relaunched in October of 2024 following an extensive refit to modernize the boat’s systems, while preserving some of her most important historical features. Updates include carbon fiber rigging, three layers of carbon fiber wrapping on the hull to reinforce her original plywood construction, the latest electronics and a larger mainsail. Overall, the goal of the refit was to enhance the design elements that made Ragtime a trendsetter 62 years ago, but include key performance enhancements to make her competitive against newer models and designs out on the racecourse today.
Crew riding the rail during a test sail. Photo © Steve Jost
When it comes to preparing for the race, Roberts says that putting together a crew that gets along and works well together is crucial. “This race is about fun and creating lasting memories, so it’s really important to build a team that is going out with a smile on our face.” Experienced ocean racers Doug McLean and Ernie Richau will serve as captain and navigator, respectively. Other sailors on the crew have logged over half a million miles of ocean racing experience, however, there is still space to join the team—and Roberts invites anyone who is interested in sailing with them to get in touch!
Practice is the other major preparation for the Ragtime crew. The boat’s recent refurbishment essentially transformed her into a new vessel. Roberts and her team are entering five regattas in the lead up to Transpac to acclimate to the new sails, rigging and systems.
Roberts hopes that her and the crew’s commitment to Transpac and what it represents shines through. “We want to bring the boat back to the race for young sailors to be inspired, and for more experienced sailors to relive memories of seeing Ragtime in past races.”
Crew riding the rail during a test sail. Photo © Steve Jost
ARE YOU READY TO RACE?
More than 60 boats have committed to lining up at the start of Transpac 2025 in July. Are you ready to join them? Racing more than 2,000 miles across an ocean is something most sailors only dream of—dream bigger and do it!
Enter now before the late entry fee kicks in at the end of May.
TRANSPAC CHECKLIST: MAKE PLANS TO SHIP YOUR GEAR
Services include picking up gear in California and delivering it to your boat on Oahu, and transporting racing gear back to California.
Boats making the return trip back to the mainland after Transpac often need additional gear for the delivery. Shipping logisticians Joe & Laura Neale will be collecting gear at various locations throughout California for transport via PASHA shipping container to Hawaii.
Please contact them prior to dropping off gear to let them know you plan to use their service and provide the date and time you intend to drop it off so that they may improve the wait time.
GEAR PICKUP LOCATIONS & DATES
SAN DIEGO | Shelter Island parking lot below the Bali Hai restaurant
Thursday, June 26, 8:00am-12:00pm
SAN PEDRO | Cabrillo Marina parking loop, east side
Saturday, June 28, 8:00am-2:00pm
SAN PEDRO | Cabrillo Marina parking loop, east side
Sunday, June 29, 8:00am-2:00pm
LONG BEACH | public parking lot nearest to the shipyard
Monday, June 30, 11:00am-2:00pm
Delivery gear transported to Hawaii is $3.95 per pound, excluding fuel containers, which are $4.50 per pound. All fuel containers must be empty and wiped clean of all residues.
The service includes picking up gear in California and delivering it to your boat on Oahu. Gear will be weighed at the time it is picked up and payment is due by cash, check, Zelle or Venmo.
In Hawaii, the PASHA containers will be located in the Ala Wai Harbor parking lot. Gear will be available for pickup, July 11 through July 18, 2025, 8:00am-noon daily. Meet them at the container and they will then deliver your gear to your boat.
There is an additional service to ship your racing gear back to the mainland, available for $3.50 per pound. Return gear will be accepted until July 18, 2025, 12:00pm. On the mainland, delivery is available to San Pedro, Long Beach and San Diego.
Please contact the Neales to book the service and if you have any questions.
Joe and Laura Neale
619-306-0072 cell/text/WhatsApp
joeneale45@gmail.com
TRANSPAC RESOURCE: CREWFINDER
Looking for additional crew? Or are you crew searching for a boat to join? Check out the Transpac Crewfinder, where you can review crew profiles, post your own credentials and sailing resume, or create a boat profile and share what crew positions you have available.
ALOHA SEND OFF TICKETS
Tickets are now available for the 2025 Transpac Aloha Sendoff, sponsored by Third Window Brewing and Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard. Join us on Saturday, June 28, aboard the USS Iowa in San Pedro to celebrate the skippers and sailors racing in the 2025 Transpac and wish them fair winds and best of luck. Enjoy excellent craft beer and world-class wines from our sendoff sponsors, plus other culinary delights and entertainment.
SPONSOR ALOHA!
Welcome aboard to these 2025 Transpac sponsors: smithREgroup, Freedom Financial, Boatswain’s Locker and Container Alliance.
smithREgroup is a Southern California real estate brokerage and consulting firm offering tailored services in brokerage, management, development and advisory roles, with expertise in resort property rentals, corporate strategy and leadership team building through sailing.
Freedom Financial Funds manages a private REIT specializing in senior secured real estate loans west of the Rockies, with a proven track record of over 700 loans totaling nearly $3 billion.
Boatswain’s Locker has been a leading marine propulsion and power supplier for 80 years, exclusively distributing YANMAR, Kohler and Hamilton Water Jets in the Southwest U.S. and Hawaii. YANMAR Marine International, a leader in marine propulsion for over 100 years, is renowned for producing reliable, efficient and innovative diesel engines for sailboats, powerboats and commercial vessels.
Container Alliance provides comprehensive storage and shipping solutions across California and Nevada, offering a wide range of containers for sale or rent, including refrigerated units, office conversions and customizable options.
