Farallone Clippers

NEWS

9/6/24 - Good news about #3 FadeAway, which is undergoing a thorough rebuild! Owner Calvin Milam writes:

“I wanted to let you that I'm rebuilding (and cold molding) FadeAway after she got attacked by Teredo worms in the fetid tidewaters of Charleston, SC. The work is directed by shipwright Douglas Dow. So far, the stem has been replaced along with about 10 floors forward of the mast. The transom has been rebuilt and several floors aft of the engine are being replaced. All deck hardware has been removed, along with toe rail, sheer strake and first plank below it. They'll be replaced with Cypress, sted Douglas Fir. The top of each frame has been sistered and fastened to the sheer clamp (iron fasteners rotted the top of frames and top two planks). About three inches of decking also removed all around. It'll be replaced with hardwood. Too much other stuff to mention as well.”

Best of luck on the rebuild! We’ll be looking forward to updates.

• 10/22/23 FOR SALE - Two Farallone Clippers are currently for sale and looking for new caretakers of these beautiful wooden boats. #3 Fade Away and #17 Scarlett. Please write to faralloneclipper@gmail.com for more information.

10/14/23 - Congratulations to Don Taylor and VIP for another victory in the 2023 Jessica Cup (hosted by St. Francis Yacht Club), beating out Mistress II, Hana, and Credit.

• 5/27/23 - The annual Master Mariner’s Regatta was a big success, with four Clippers competing in the Ocean 2 class, a 17 mile course visiting marks around the SF bay. The photo above encapsulates the race. Resilience Racing’s Mistress II lead the fleet at the first mark with Hana, Ouessant and Credit in hot pursuit, and went on to take the win in both Ocean 2 and the Farallon Cup trophy. Congratulations to skipper Richard vonEhrenkrook and crew of M2! Follow the adventure with a great write-up in Latitude38 - https://www.latitude38.com/lectronic/mistress-ii-masters-master-mariners-regatta/

• 6/13/22 - #15 Hana got a nice photo mention in the writeup for the Belvedere Cup, 6/11/22 in Latitude 38. #14 Ouessant also raced in the wooden boat event put on by the SFYC. This was the second running of the Belvedere Cup, originally called The Great Schooner Race. It retains the schooner class, but has recently added non-schooners as well. Always a challenge with the summer winds in the slot, especially with a strong ebb near Alcatraz.

• 5/28/22 - Congratulations to Bill Belmont (#8 Credit) for winning the Ocean 2 class and Farallone cup in this year’s Master Mariner Regatta! With four clippers on the line, a strong ebb tide and beautiful weather, it was a great day of racing.

• 2/7/22 - #9 Debit is FOR SALE. Update 8/4/22: Debit has been purchased.

Two Clippers, #9 Debit and #4 Pam are featured in this article from May 10, 1954 in the SF Chronicle. Story is shown in Latitude 38. Thanks to Ellen Liebenberg for sharing the clipping.

“In spite of the gondolier treatment in evidence, this shot has no relation to a night in Venice. Rather, it portrays three unfortunate yachts which went aground off the Presidio shore during yesterday’s All-Clubs Regatta. Craft at left, Debit, was not so unfortunate, however, recovering after a 45 minute stay on the reef to win the Farallon Clipper Class race. Water Witch, center, and Pam wound up as also-rans. Crewmen aboard Debit and Pam are endeavoring to shove boats adrift using spinnaker poles. Debit was floated free after Barre Stephens swam 50 yards with an anchor and line, allowing crew to pull the 38 foot sloop off her mooring.”

• 10/16/21 Don Taylor, piloting #7 VIP, continued his winning ways, taking first in the annual Jessica Cup. Hosted by the St. Francis Yacht Club, the race was postponed until late afternoon because of lack of wind. But the westerly filled in nicely with enough time left to race a single leg. #8 Credit and #15 Hana filled out the FC podium. A beautiful day on the bay!

• 5/29/21 Post-pandemic racing has returned! The Master Mariners annual regatta saw five FC’s on the course through an action-packed day. #7 VIP took the Farallone Cup win and 2nd place in the Ocean 2 class, followed by #8 Credit and #14 Ouessant. #11 Mistress II started strong, but retired with a pump issue. #15 Hana was stuck on the wrong side of the bay with the low low tide and missed the start, but ran much of the course anyway for fun. It was wonderful to see the boats battling it out in strong winds and an even stronger flood current on a beautiful Saturday afternoon on SF Bay.

• 7/1/20 - #1 Patita II is featured in this month’s Latitude 38, describing her history and adventures. Take a look! : Latitude 38

• 5/5/20 - Because of the coronavirus pandemic shelter-in-place, most regattas for spring and summer have been postponed or cancelled. So while the FC fleet is unable to compete, annual maintenance and other improvement projects continue on the boats. Stay tuned and stay safe

• 10/19/19 - The annual Jessica Cup wooden boat regatta, hosted by the St. Francis YC, included four Clippers at the start line - #7 VIP, #8 Credit, #11 Mistress II, and #15 Hana. Unfortunately, #14 Ouessant who is awaiting the completion of her new mast, was unable to compete this year, but should soon be restepped and back in action. The weather was foggy and misty throughout the afternoon, with mild winds at the start which continued to steadily build. All of the skippers agreed it was a great day of racing. Mistress II and VIP traded leads throughout the two legs, and the competition was often close at the roundings with all four boats. Staying inside out of the flood proved key. The drama of the day had Mistress II sailing fast until she lost her headsail halyard during the second leg, but was still quick even under jib alone. Congratulations to VIP for taking the cup!

• 8/26/19 - A 1962 Farallone Clipper was recently sold in San Diego last month, which is believed to be #19 Sea Charger. If you have any details about this boat, please contact faralloneclipper@gmail.com We’d love to hear from you and keep the information up-to-date.

• 7/13/19 - In conditions ranging from calm and sunny to blowing 25 in the fog and back again, Mistress II and Hana competed in the Belvedere Classic Regatta (formerly the Great Schooner Race). Mistress II finished ahead, in spite of carrying around an extra bit of the bay in her bilge with a sprung plank. She is currently being repaired and will be back on the water soon.

• 6/23/19 - The annual Wooden Boat Show, hosted by the Corinthian Yacht Club in Tiburon, CA was held over a sunny weekend. #1 Patita II and #15 Hana were on display for the crowds to learn about the history of the boats and admire the work and care that goes into keeping them sailing.

• 5/25/19 - The annual Master Mariners regatta saw close competition between four clippers, Hana, Mistress II, Credit and Ouessant in fair wind conditions. Hana took the FC trophy this year after battling with Mistress II the entire afternoon, often within feet of each other. There was also a nice write-up in Latitude 38.

• 3/4/19 - #3 Fade Away has a new home in Charleston, SC, making the overland trip after her owner moved from Southern California.

• 3/1/18 - "The Resilience of Jennifer Hinkel" - Cancer survivors race toward healing and reclamation -Wooden Boat Magazine Mar/April issue. Jennifer and her Resilience Racing program got a nice write-up in this month's Wooden Boat magazine. Detailing her efforts at recovery and the formation of her FC racing team, the article also discusses the history of the Farallone Clipper fleet. #14 Ouessant and #12 Mistress II are featured.

• 10/28/17 - #7 VIP continued her winning ways in this year's Jessica Cup, hosted by the St. Francis Yacht Club. The traditional wooden boat race occurred in mixed conditions of dense fog and spotted sun, but fair wind and moderate current. Four clippers raced in two legs along the San Francisco waterfront in the Farallone Clipper class. Congratulations Don Taylor for winning both legs!

• 10/25/17 - #17 Scarlett is for sale. She is in excellent condition. For more information, contact Wayne Rodgers at 1-949-683-0626 and www.yachtworld.com/wdrodgers UPDATE - SOLD

• 6/1/17 - Jennifer Hinkel has a nice write-up in this month's Latitude 38 describing the work that's been done recently on her two Clippers, #12 Mistress II and #14 Ouessant.

• 5/27/17 - The 150th Master Mariners Regatta saw five Farallone Clippers competing along the 18 mile Ocean 2 course in moderate winds.  #7 VIP, #8 Credit, #11 Mistress II, #14 Ouessant, and #15 Hana made the staggered start, and finished in numerical order!  Don Taylor, piloting VIP, won the Farallone Clipper Cup and 2nd in class, with Bill Belmont on Credit taking 3rd place.  Both of Jennifer Hinkel's boats were wearing their new Resilience Racing spinnakers at the finish line.  It was a gorgeous day on the water surrounded by so many historic boats, with a fun raftup party at the Encinal Yacht Club afterwards.  

• 12/30/16 - #16 Beatnik has been relaunched in New Zealand!  Congratulations!

• 12/28/16 - #18 Diva is for sale.  Please see this link: http://www.yachtall.com/es/show-boat/yacht/barco-en-venta/embarcacion/bid/219854/print/1/. UPDATE: SOLD

• 12/16/16 - A wonderful letter detailing part of the 1963 Transpac race aboard #15 Hana (then Koe Matu) is posted on the Hana Fleet page.  Thank you, Southbayman, for sharing it!

• 12/1/16 - #7 VIP and #8 Credit graced the cover of this month's Latitude 38 magazine.  Beautiful shot!

• 10/22/16 - Under a clear sky along the San Francisco waterfront, three Farallone Clippers (#7 VIP, #8 Credit, and #15 Hana) made the start of the annual Jessica Cup, hosted by the St. Francis Yacht Club.  Congratulations to Don Taylor on VIP for winning both legs! 

• 7/15/16 - #16 has a new owner and a new name!  "Beatnik" had been languishing for years in a boat yard in New Zealand and was close to being broken up.  She has been recently purchased and is undergoing an extensive restoration in Tauranga, NZ.  We're excited that another Clipper is getting new life, and look forward to her relaunch!

• 5/28/16 - The 2016 Master Mariners Regatta was a great success, with five Farallone Clippers at the start line in the Ocean 2 class - #7 VIP, #8 Credit, #11 Mistress II, #14 Ouessant, and #15 Hana.  It was a beautiful, windy day with over 60 vintage wooden boats participating.  Credit took second (and won the Farallone Clipper cup) and Ouessant took third.  http://www.mastermariners.org/MMBA/calendar/regatta/

• 5/15/16- #8 Credit is featured as the 2016 Master Mariner's t-shirt design, in a painting by artist Jim Whitman.  

• 4/30/16 - This year's Great Vallejo Race saw the entry of two Farallone Clippers, #7 VIP skippered by Don Taylor and #11 Mistress II skippered by Jennifer Hinkel. While the race is usually a glorious spinnaker run through the San Pablo Bay, the weather as it was made this year's race upwind in both directions, with hardly a spinnaker in sight, and tidal conditions creating challenges for all skippers.  Saturday, VIP took an early lead over Mistress II before the Richmond Bridge, but got stuck in the mud after turning the corner into the Mare Island Strait, leading to a DNF and 10 points, while Mistress II fared only slightly better coming in 7th (7 points). The race was a long one, with decent winds but a nasty ebb that lasted all day during the upwind slog. After a fine party at Vallejo Yacht Club on Saturday night and the two Farallone Clippers rafted up next to each other in the harbor, Sunday's start saw a huge ebb and light breeze in the Mare Island Straits which put many boats over the line early. Both Clippers were scored DNF for Sunday's race, along with many other boats that faced getting caught in the mud (including a few only a feet from the finish line). Beware the shallows of San Pablo Bay!

• 4/17/16 - #15 Hana is being relaunched at Spaulding Boatworks in Sausalito, CA after a lengthy rebuilding of her hull. Restoration on her topsides will continue throughout the year.

• 4/14/16 - #10 Hoyden II has a nice write up in Riverside Magazine this month. The online version of the article can be found at http://www.riversidethemag.com/issues/pdfs/april_may_16.pdf

• 4/2/16 - #14 Ouessant is back in the water! Final fitting to continue to prepare for the Master Mariners race at the end of May.

• 2/26/16 - After being abandoned in New Zealand for many years, #16 Circe may have a new life with a new restoration. Details to follow in the next few months.

• 12/14/15 - #3 Fade Away is for sale. After many years of care, the owner is looking for a responsible buyer to take over her stewardship. Please call (310) 804-4837 for more information.

• 12/11/15 - The insurance case for #14 Ouessant has settled and the repairs can begin! She was damaged in a racing accident on May 17, 2014 and mediation has been ongoing. Details of the incident can be found here: https://issuu.com/latitude38/docs/l38201406/78. She should be relaunched in March, 2016