If you’ve ever looked at a photo of the fleet leaving Devonport Wharf and thought “I’d love to do that one day,” you’re not alone. The PIC Coastal Classic sits on a lot of sailors’ bucket lists. The problem is that “one day” has a habit of staying exactly that.
Paperwork. Safety requirements. Ratings. Crew lists. Cat 3 compliance. For sailors who haven’t done an offshore race before, or haven’t done one for a while, the gap between thinking about it and actually entering can feel bigger than it should.
That’s exactly what the new Coastal Classic Concierge Service is designed to fix.
The service pairs first-time entrants, and sailors returning after five or more years away from offshore racing, with a dedicated Coastal Concierge who walks them through the whole process from start to finish. Race entry, crew documentation, PHRF ratings, safety inspections, berthage in Russell, and seminars covering weather, safety, and race readiness. All of it, step by step, with someone in your corner.
NZ Multihull Yacht Club Commodore Adrian Percival, whose club organises the race, says the whole point is to clear the path to the start line.
“We know there are sailors who’ve always wanted to do the Coastal, but the preparation can feel daunting, especially the first time. This is about making the process clearer and more manageable. The Coastal should be exciting from the very beginning.”
And it’s worth saying again: you don’t need a racing yacht to do this. Looking at last year’s finishers tells the real story of what the Coastal Classic actually is. Yes, there are Juan K-designed maxis and Pac52s at the front of the fleet. But further down the results you’ll find Beneteau Firsts, Dufours, Hanse 385s, Bavaria 42s, a Lambert 52 ketch, a Cavalier 32, and a Farr 1020 sailed two-handed that went on to win the overall handicap trophy. The 119-nautical-mile run from Auckland to Russell is an adventure for all of them.
“This isn’t just entry support,” said Percival. “It’s the nudge, the guidance, and the momentum that takes people from ‘I should do the Coastal one day’ to ‘I’m doing the Coastal.'”
If that sounds like something you’ve been waiting for, now’s the time.
Skippers who qualify as first-time entrants or returning sailors can email fran@multihull.org.nz and a Concierge will be assigned to support them through the process.
For everything else, head to www.coastalclassic.co.nz.
