Transpac 2027 Announcements + Seminar Replay: ORR Rating Rule & Lessons

A MESSAGE FROM THE COMMODORE

As the 2026-27 Commodore of the Transpacific Yacht Club, I’d like to take a moment to introduce myself and share some updates for those of you who are already dreaming about your next Transpac race from LA to Hawaii.

I know and love this race. I’ve competed in 17 Transpacs to Honolulu and Tahiti, on boats that have ranged from a Cal 40, to the Andrews Magnitude 80. I’m a yacht designer by trade, fortunate to have designed Barn Door and class winners, and have raced 11 of my Transpacs on Andrews-designed boats. Beyond designing race-winning boats and competing on them, I’ve also served as the TPYC Technical Committee Chair from 2000-2023.

For those of you who don’t know us, the TPYC leadership is entirely comprised of sailors who have raced Transpac. In 2025, 11 of our 23 Directors competed, including myself aboard Fast Exit II, and our Vice Commodore Alli Bell, who skippered the winning boat, Restless. Our Rear Commodore and Treasurer Tom O’Keefe has raced on Fast Exit, Horizon and several other boats. The TPYC Board of Directors sails and keeps sailors front and center when it organizes races.

And to that end, we have a couple of announcements we’re pleased to share with our fellow sailors.

• The 2027 Transpac will have three starts, on July 6, July 8 and July 10, 2027. This schedule works well for the Honolulu team who staff the finish line, greet the boats, handle post-race inspections and state clearance and host the parties. It also aligns nicely with the July 18 full moon, so racers can enjoy a gradual increase of moonlight each night for the bulk of their time offshore.
• In 2027, ORR (Offshore Racing Rule) will be used to handicap monohulls racing for the traditional King Kalakaua Trophy and other monohull perpetuals.
• New this race: Transpac will welcome an Open Monohull Division for monohulls which have more vertical lift than ORR allows, up to fully foiling, provided they meet the other monohull requirements, such as USSER stability and construction requirements.

We’re looking forward to seeing you all on the starting line in Los Angeles in July of 2027. We’re anticipating the publication of the official Notice of Race and the opening of registration to occur in May of 2026 — keep your eyes open for the announcement and start preparing your vessels for the race of a lifetime!

Mahalo,

Alan Andrews
Transpacific Yacht Club Commodore

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TRANSPAC SEMINAR: ORR RATING RULE & LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE 2025 RACE

On February 24, 2026, we hosted the first in a series of informational seminars designed to prepare competitors for the Transpac Race. We heard from the following speakers:

• Randy Smith, Navigator on Aimant de Fille, 2025 Division 4 Winner: "How to Utilize ORR Data Pre-race and During the Race"
• Dave Moore, Owner, Westerly, 2025 Division 5 Winner and 2023 Overall Winner: "Optimize Your Boat for ORR"
• Chris Tutmark, Offshore Director, US Sailing: "Lessons Learned from 2025 Race"
• Jim Teeters, Offshore Projects Manager, US Sailing: "ORR Update"

If you missed it, here's a recording of the event.

WATCH NOW >>

UPCOMING SEMINARS
Stay tuned for announcements about more Transpac informational seminars planned to help you prepare for the 2027 race.

• David Servais of SD Boatworks — Latest Offshore Rigging Products & Technology 
• Tackline Medical — Comprehensive Medicine at Sea Seminar 
• A Panel of Navigators on Lessons Learned from the 2025 Race

STAY IN TOUCH WITH TRANSPAC

Is your skipper receiving these emails? What about your crew? Are you looking for us on social media? Here’s how to follow Transpac and stay up to date on the latest news and important announcements.

• Join the Transpac Contact List and receive monthly email newsletters and other important communications from Transpac.
• Follow Transpac on Instagram
• Follow Transpac on Facebook
• Relive past races watching Transpac's YouTube Channel

2025 TRANSPAC MERCH AVAILABLE

Did you miss out on merch from the 2025 Transpac Race? Wish you’d purchased a vest, shirt or hat? A limited supply of 2025 Transpac gear is available from Pirates Lair. Have a look!

2025 TRANSPAC GEAR >>