2024 was a banner year for the Classic Yacht Owners Association (CYOA)! From a thrilling Classic Yacht Challenge Series, to strong performances in offshore races, to our end of year awards, members and their vessels spent this year pushing forward CYOA’s mission and goals.

The year started out with updates to the Classic Rating Formula (CRF). After the wide-ranging weather conditions of 2023 made clear the need for improvements in CRF’s efficacy, the CYOA technical committee explained how CRF 2024 would increase the accuracy of CRF’s predictions of real world performance. The new rating formula helped keep transparent ratings uniform across classic regattas.

As waters began to warm and boats were launched for the spring, CYOA announced the 2024 version of its famed Classic Yacht Challenge Series (CYCS). Running from June to October, the CYCS was made up of 14 regattas spread throughout the northeast. This year the series added a new race to the lineup of top-tier classics sailing with the Vineyard Cup out of Vineyard Haven, MA and hosted by Martha’s Vineyard Shipyard.

This year’s CYCS set a participation record with 231 boats taking part across 28 races. Top competitors included the yachts Marilee, Lilith, Outlier, Intrepid, and Ponyo who led the way in overall scoring in their respective divisions. Full results for the 2024 CYCS can be viewed here.

Outside of the CYCS, CYOA members represented the association well in the historic 2024 Newport Bermuda Race with six vessels racing in the Thrash to the Onion Patch. Dan Litchfield’s Hound claimed the second spot in the race’s storied St. David’s Lighthouse division, followed closely behind by Ben Sperry’s Gentian in third. Sadly, while returning from Bermuda, Carter Bacon’s Solution had to be abandoned. However, Bacon’s seamanship and critical decision-making—along with the heroic US Coast Guard—resulted in no loss of life despite this heartbreaking loss to the sailing community.

To cap off the year in style, CYOA members joined together in Newport, RI for the annual general meeting and awards ceremony. While looking back on 2024’s accomplishments, members feted the CYCS awardees began to look ahead to the coming year.

2025 is set to be another exciting year in the world of classic yachting. With a growing membership, expanding events, and more opportunity to connect, you will not want to miss what is on the horizon of the CYOA!