Join the Rally in the 2027 Caribbean Multihull Challenge
| In recent years, there has been an explosive growth in the number of multihulls built for comfortable cruising, especially in tropical regions. The Caribbean has been at the forefront of this trend, with cruisers flying flags from around the globe. This reflects a growing international interest in the benefits of modern multihull design: more space, greater comfort, and faster cruising speeds.The Caribbean Multihull Challenge Rally was created as a meeting point for multihull owners—an opportunity to share ideas, meet like-minded cruisers, and enjoy sailing together to nearby island destinations. While racing enthusiasts can still compete head-to-head, the rally also offers a relaxed and social environment where cruising sailors can connect, unwind, and have fun.To add a little extra excitement, a Time Trial event & Navigators Challenge are now part of the rally, allowing owners to compare the performance of their vessels in a friendly and informal way.The rate to join the Rally in 2027 will be a flat rate of $350.00 per boat entry Provisional Rally Schedule Wednesday, Feb 3, 2-27 – Registration & Welcome Registration and a casual meet-and-greet at the St. Maarten Yacht Club in the late afternoon and evening. A chance to meet fellow participants and get introduced to the rally plan for the days ahead. Stay for Happy Hour and enjoy the live music Thursday February 4th 2027 Sail to Friars Bay, French St. Martin Start time 9:00am The rally will depart from Simpson Bay sailing west around Sint Maarten to Friars Bay, with an expected arrival around lunchtime. Rally participants can head to shore and enjoy lunch at the restaurant on Friar’s Bay Beach. Participants can sign up at registration for the lunch special or order off the menu at Friar’s Bay Beach Cafe. Lunch at the restaurant is at your own expense. After lunch the rally fleet will head back to Simpson Bay in time to make the 5:00pm bridge Join the racing fleet at 6:00 p.m.for the daily prize giving, live music and drinks Time Trial & Navigators Challenge Friday February 5th, 2027 Sail to Orient Bay, French Saint Martin Start time 9:00am the rally fleet will set sail for the beautiful waters of Orient Bay, where we’ll anchor near Green Cay for a relaxing snorkeling stop. Explore the vibrant marine life or simply enjoy a refreshing swim before returning onboard for a delicious lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll depart between 2:30 and 3:00 p.m. to sail back toward Simpson Bay, arriving in time for the 5:00 p.m. bridge opening. The festivities continue ashore with the daily yacht club activities, including the evening’s themed event Pirates & Wenches Night (dress code applies for all race and rally participants) & a BBQ on the dock. Join the racing fleet at 6:00 p.m.for the daily prize giving, live music and drinks Time Trial & Navigators Challenge Saturday February 6th, 2027 Sail to Baie Rouge, French St. Martin Start time 9:00am Spend Saturday sailing along St. Maarten’s stunning coastline to Baie Rouge. Enjoy approximately two hours to swim, relax on the beach, or simply soak up the sunshine before departing around 12:30 p.m. for the return sail to Simpson Bay. In the afternoon, continue the fun with beach sports from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at location to be announced at a later date Join the racing fleet at 6:00 p.m.for the daily prizegiving, live music and drinks Time Trial & Navigators Challenge Sunday February 7th 2027- Sail to Mullet Bay, Dutch St. Maarten & Closing Festivities Start time 10.00am The rally fleet will complete their final day with a sail to Mullet bay for the Boat Crawl. The fleet will be organized into groups and each boat within that group will host the other boat for either a light starter snack, a light lunch or a dessert-boats to be assigned at the rally briefing on Wednesday Feb 3rd. Each boat will bring their own beverage of choice to the boat crawl for their own consumption. The fleet will head back to Simpson Bay at 3:30pm to make the bridge at 5:00pm. Join the racing fleet at 6:00 p.m.for the daily prizegiving, live music and drinks Time Trials The optional Time Trial adds a touch of friendly competition. Each vessel is given a performance rating based on the Caribbean Sailing Association system. Boats receive staggered departure times to ensure safe spacing. The trial measures how each vessel performs over a set course, using a pre-calculated correction factor—so you’re not racing side by side, but comparing performance fairly. (Note: We recommend confirming with your insurance provider, as some policies may differ regarding organized group activities.) |
