The Van Isle 360 is a biennial (odd year), 580 nm. point to point race circumnavigating wild and rugged Vancouver Island, B.C. Sailed in a series of legs the course provides inshore, offshore and overnight legs through some of the most stunning and challenging waters on the planet. Now in its 20th year the race will reach Port Hardy on Wednesday, June 5th. During the lead up to this event we will be posting information about the competitors.
Meet the next round of competitors:
Third time around the Island for Hana Mari, their sail past just before the Nanaimo start is a treat not to be missed….literally! Same old hands, some new crew but the same enthusiasm for adventure we always have. In 2017 Ged was recognized by the skipper of Oxomoxo for his local knowledge in assisting Doug Frazer to a first place finish in Division 3. May karma be good to you Ged and your crew in this years race.
The Hana Mari.
Sail #: 79026
Skipper: Ged McLean
Province/State: British Columbia
Yacht Club: Royal Victoria Yacht Club
Type: Wylie 43
Designer: Tom Wylie
Builder: Schooner Creek Boat Works
ORC GPH: 579.9 (Test Certificate)
LOA: 13.215m
Beam: 3.778m
Draft: 2.198m
Tuna is one of two CS 36 Sailboat operated by the Royal Canadian Navy’s Naval Fleet School Pacific. Her mission is to provide Sail Training Opportunities to summer students and students waiting for formal trades training. HMCSTV Tuna was commissioned in 1985 and served the East Coast since joining her sister ship Goldcrest on the West Coast in 2017. Tuna raced and trained extensivley taking part in races to Bermuda, St John’s and St Pierre as well as Chester Race Week and Marblehead. She is the second RCN ship to hold the name Tuna. The first Tuna was the sailing sloop Seeraubertaken which was transferred to the RCN as a war prize from the German Navy after the Second World War.
The HMCSTV Tuna.
Sail #: KC2372
Skipper: LCdr Christopher Maier
Province/State: British Columbia – Actually Canada
Yacht Club: Canadian Forces Sailing Association Esquimalt
Type: CS 36
Designer: Raymond Wall
Builder: Canadian Sailcraft
ORC GPH: Application in progress (680ish)
LOA: 11.130m
Beam: 3.510m
Draft: 1.930m
We have been preparing Image for our planned offshore events, and our experiences on Oxomoxo. Looking forward to the race.
The Image.
Sail #: USA 79175
Skipper: Marc-Andrea Klimaschewski
Province/Stat: Washington
Yacht Club: Corinthian Yacht Club of Seattle/Sloop Tavern Yacht Club
Type: Catalina 38
Designer: Sparkman Stephens
Builder: Catalina Yachts
ORC GPH: 655.5
LOA: 11.610m
Beam: 3.610m
Draft: 2.070m
Iris is A brand new Jeanneau that will have a very experienced Time Bandit crew on board including Bob Brunius. John has been racing for over 30 years and is looking forward to his first Van Isle.
The Iris.
Sail #: 75
Skipper: John Sheppard
Province/State: Washington
Yacht Club: Quartermaster Yacht Club
Type: Jeanneau 51
Designer: Philippe Briand
Builder: Jeanneau France
ORC GPH: Application in process (570.0ish)
LOA: 15.380m
Beam: 4.700m
Draft: 2.500m
JAM is returning after sailing in the 2015 Van Isle under stunning conditions, which of course will happen again in 2019! Over a period of 12 years, Bill sailed a Catalina 27 in out of Quadra Island, opposite Campbell River in Discovery Passage. This may be the boat to watch for local knowledge from Mittlenatch Island up to Hardwicke Island whre the fleet will be challenged with the vagaries of the currents in the Inside Pasage.
The JAM.
Sail #: 18
Skipper: Bill Fox
Province/State: Washington
Yacht Club: Gig Harbor Yacht Club
Type: J/160
Designer: Johnstone
Builder: TPI
ORC GPH: 529.6
LOA: 16.002m
Beam: 4.426m
Draft: 2.778m
Lodos relocated from the East Coast to her new home in Seattle in July 2016. She has been racing extensively locally and 2019 will be her first Van Isle 360. Most of the crew have done at least 2 Van Isles before, and we know that the competing with the other boats will challenge our skills and competitive spirit while reinforcing our friendships. We look forward to the adventure and getting to meet a lot of other folks along the way.
The Lodos.
Sail #: 171
Skipper: Tolga Cezik
Province/State: Washington
Yacht Club: Corinthian Yacht Club of Seattle
Type: J/109
Designer: Johnstone
Builder: TPI
ORC GPH: Application in process (607.0ish)
LOA: 10.757m
Beam: 3.524m
Draft: 2.127m
MIST is one of 4 TP52’s in this years race, along with Glory, Smoke and Sonic. Steve has sailed in 7 Van Isles with White Cloud, and this will be his first with MIST. The balance of the crew have at least 2-5 Van Isles so experience is no issue. In 2017 Steve and his crew stood by 65_Red Roses II when she lost her rudder off Port Hardy. If ever there was a time for some positive Karma, perhaps it is this years race for MIST after coming back from a dismasting in the 2018 Swiftsure race.
The Mist.
Sail #: 52
Skipper: Steve Johnson
Province/State: Washington
Yacht Club: Corinthian Yacht Club of Seattle
Type: TP52
Designer: Bakewell/White
Builder: Stevenson
ORC GPH: 453.6
LOA: 15.846m
Beam: 4.288m
Draft: 3.219m
Team Mojo is keen to participate in the 20th anniversary Van Isle 360. This will be the second time around The Rock on Mojo after thoroughly enjoying the 2017 race. Mojo also won her division in 2017 narrowly beating out Zulu. Oh, and Zulu is back, and come to think of it so is Serendipity who placed third. Looks like Div 2 could be a bit competitive with some of the new contenders as well.
The Mojo.
Sail #: 237
Skipper: Mark Hansen
Province/State: British Columbia
Yacht Club: Vancouver Rowing Club
Type: J/109
Designer: Johnstone
Builder: TPI
ORC GPH: Application in progress (608ish)
LOA: 10.757m
Beam: 3.524m
Draft: 2.127m
This will be the third Van Isle of Nirvana, and her skipper and crew are looking forward to competing with some of the best sailors in the Pacific North West.
The Nirvana.
Sail # CAN 47071
Skipper: Dmitriy Minenko
Province/State: British Columbia
Yacht Club: Vancouver Rowing Club
Type: Beneteau 40.7
Designer: Farr
Builder: Beneteau
ORC GPH: 583.3
LOA: 10.757m
Beam: 3.524m
Draft: 2.127m
Returning from a first place finish in Division 3 in 2017 is Oxomoxo. Doug and his team also competed in the 2018 Vic Maui where he earned the distinction of “Turtle Man” for temporarily heaving to in order to save a sea turtle which had become entangled in plastic. Consensus is so long as Bob returns as tactician Oxomoxo will be competitive.
The Oxomoxo.
Sail #: 39118
Skipper: Doug Frazer
Province/State: Washington
Yacht Club: Corinthian Yacht Club of Seattle
Type: Swan 391
Designer: Ron Holland
Builder: Nautor
ORC GPH: 630.1
LOA: 11.975m
Beam: 3.826m
Draft: 2.244m
Last time a boat named RIVA sailed the Van Isle was 2013, along with two other boats named Diva and KIVA. Looks like the wait has been worth it with a brand new J/121 speedster. The crew of 5 has significant offshore experience.
The Riva.
Sail #: 11211
Skipper: Scott Campbell
Province/State: Oregon
Yacht Club: Portland Yacht Club
Type: J/121
Designer: Johnstone
Builder: CCF Composites
ORC GPH: Application in process (568ish estimate.)
LOA: 12.19m
Beam: 3.746m
Draft: 2.522m
Returning to defend her 2015 first place finish in Division 3 is Rubato, with some of the same crew from 2015 and the balance will be new crew from the Vancouver Area Racing Circuit (VARC) divisions 3 & 7.
The Rubato.
Sail #: 74408
Skipper: Steve Blaine
Province/State: British Columbia
Yacht Club: Vancouver Rowing Club
Type: Hanse 400e
Designer: Judel/Vrolijik
Builder: Hanse
ORC GPH: 608.1
LOA: 11.990m
Beam: 4.042m
Draft: 2.022m
Serendipity is back after its first Van Isle in 2017, eager to improve its third place finish, in the ultimate test of sailing skills on the West Coast.
The Serendipity.
Sail #: CAN 258
Skipper: Tom Sitar
Province/State: British Columbia
Yacht Club: Royal Vancouver Yacht Club
Type: J/109
Designer: Johnstone
Builder: TPI
ORC GPH: 609.2
LOA: 10.757m
Beam: 3.524m
Draft: 2.127m