The Pacific Class (PC) Yacht Racing Association was founded 87 years ago in 1929. This year, in conjunction with the PC Nationals hosted by San Diego Yacht Club on October 15 & 16, Mystic Seaport will award the PC Fleet with the William A. Baker Award.
This award recognizes private individuals or organizations for their superior work in preserving historic yachts or recreational small craft. Chris Freeman, the Director of Development of Mystic Seaport, will present the fleet and SDYC with the William A. Baker Award at the Regatta Dinner after PC Nationals racing concludes on Saturday, October 15.
The PC owners and the San Diego Yacht Club are being recognized for their preservation and maintenance of a distinct class of American sailing craft. The PC is the first wooden One-Design racing sloop designed and constructed specially for Southern California waters. There are smaller, northern fleets in Marina del Rey, Los Angeles and Washington State, but the largest of the fleets is in San Diego. Designed by George Kettenburg Jr. in 1929, the 31-foot-long sailboat has endured more than 80 years and is still in use today. Of the 84 hull numbers assigned, all but 19 are still sailing. Wings, believed to be the oldest hull in existence, is presently on display at the San Diego Maritime Museum.
Bill Baker was a naval architect, maritime historian and avid designer of replicas of historic vessels including Mayflower II. This award was first presented in 1989 and previous winners include the Newport 29 Class, Star Class (Wooden Vessels), and Cotuit Skiffs. The award’s purpose is to promote the awareness and appreciation of superb examples of One-Design classes of boats of like kind, to foster preservation and restoration, encourage more people to participate in the activity and keep the boats in use.
Jim Oberg, the PC Fleet Captain, has a personal connection to the fleet and hopes to continue the fleet’s legacy. “It is an honor for the San Diego Yacht Club, and the Pacific Class Fleet to receive the William A. Baker Award from Mystic Seaport. This award demonstrates just how much the PC has been a part of the San Diego Yacht Club sailing and racing culture. I personally have been active in the fleet for forty years, as a crew on many of the boats in the fleet, and now enjoy, with my wife, our own piece of history, and will continue to do so.”
PC Nationals racing will take place in the Coronado Roads sailing area on both Saturday and Sunday. The Saturday night dinner is included for racers and additional guests may make a reservation for $30/person. Following the last race on Sunday will be the awards ceremony and trophy presentation.
For more information or media inquiries, please contact Emily Willhoft.