March Sailing Stories & Three Bridge Recap
Alexandra
Fleet staging at Fort Mason required precise timing and a 15–20 minute transit through the East Basin before the start: on the final January day, 277 of the 303 registered boats actually launched for the Singlehanded Sailing Society's 2026 Three Bridge Fiasco, spread across 31 classes with 10 one-designs and a mix of doublehanded and singlehanded entries.
Three Bridge Fiasco: numbers, classes, and on-water logistics
The race illustrated how fleet logistics matter: tidal windows around the bridges, class start sequencing, and available mooring at the finish all shaped strategy. Race management listed 31 classes; ten ran one-design starts and the PHRF fleet split into multiple divisions. Timing the transit under all three bridges made crew changes, sail changes, and singlehanded tactics a game of chess with the current.
Race statistics at a glance
| Metric | Count |
|---|---|
| Total entries signed up | 303 |
| Boats that launched | 277 |
| Classes | 31 (including 10 one-designs) |
| Doublehanded | Most one-designs + 15 PHRF classes |
| Singlehanded | 6 PHRF classes |
Stories that stick: haulouts, Ha-Ha antics, and Folkboat lessons
The March pages juggle hard data and personality. One sailor’s Ha-Ha tale reads like a bad rom-com: a canvas bag becomes a bargaining chip in exchange for a Mexican fishing license, and the hostage exchange plays out in a crowded restaurant rather than a noir back alley. You learn the ropes the hard way — literally — and sometimes you walk away shaking your head and laughing.
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Lessons learned on small classics
New Folkboat ownership comes with its own syllabus. Close quarters near Seal Rocks, strong currents under the Fort Mason piers on big floods, and the peculiarities of an older boat’s motion were all part of one owner’s education. Those bite-sized misadventures are the stuff of evenings aboard: equal parts humility and gritty seamanship.
Practical takeaways
- Scout exits from crowded basins before you depart.
- Respect tidal flows around piers and bridge underpasses.
- Keep a checklist for singlehanded sail changes and safety gear.
Olympic campaigns and local talent
Local talent is on the rise: 22-year-old Hoel Menard announced joining Sarah Newberry Moore's Olympic campaign in the Nacra 17 class. For charter operators and clubs, Olympic campaigns raise the profile of high-performance classes — that can mean increased interest in catamaran charters, coaching sessions, and specialized gear rentals.
What this means for clubs and charters
When athletes head for the Olympics, expect demand spikes for coaching, access to multihulls, and charter periods for practice events. Yacht owners and charter companies should consider aligning schedules to capitalize on training days and regatta windows — all hands on deck for marketing and logistics.
Club racing, reports, and community notes
The issue also catalogs regional regattas: San Diego Yacht Club’s Etchells Bill Bennett Cup, early stops of the California Dreamin' Series, and midwinter regattas at RYC, CPYC, CYC, and SFYC. Columnists cover tactics for the Three Bridge Fiasco, crew dynamics, and even whether some high-profile events are operating within their own rulebooks.
Distribution and availability
Magazine distribution hits local marinas and shops; a quick stop at Marotta Yacht Sales found stock moving, and Sausalito Books by the Bay reported low inventory — manager Jeff Battis said the last copy flew off the shelf. That kind of distributor feedback is a small logistics bell: print runs, dockside placement, and seasonality influence how enthusiasts find reading material before they plan a charter or book a weekend skipper.
Where to pick up a copy
- Marinas and yacht sales offices (check dockside racks)
- Local bookstores near waterfronts
- Clubhouses and yacht clubs during race season
Other highlights include letters on classic voyages, gear classifieds, a Racing Sheet roundup by Scott Easom, and community spotlights such as the Tall Ship Award to COTS’s Alan Olson and features on personalities like Chuck Skewes and Madeline Mulligan. Expect a mix of practical racing notes, human-interest narratives, and classified listings for sailboats and gear for sale.
Wrap-up: The March issue stitches together regatta logistics, first-person stitch-ups like the Ha-Ha caper, and profiles from grassroots racing to Olympic campaigns, making it a useful read for anyone planning a charter, searching for a new classic yacht, or plotting weekend sailing activities. Whether you’re thinking of chartering a boat for a day at the beach, looking to rent a skipper for lake or ocean trips, or keeping an eye on yacht sales and marinas, the issue delivers actionable notes and entertaining stories that connect to yachting, boating, and the wider world of sea and sailing life. From superyacht-level campaigns to small-boat Folkboat mishaps, the issue offers insights for captains, crews, and charter guests alike about destinations, fishing runs, and marinas — clearwater anecdotes included.
