In 1869, a group of local yachtsmen agreed that a more orderly and monitored Corinthian form of conduct was needed for yacht racing if the Bay’s activities were to be respecrted elsewhere.

SFYC cruise and picnic Paradise Cove, circa 1880

Belvedere Classic Regatta

Including the Great San Francisco Schooner Race

This regatta began in 2008 as a race for schooners only, when Commodore John Swain suggested that SFYC invite some of the oldest Bay Area yachts to the oldest yacht club on the bay. When he presented the idea to the Race Council, it was approved, in part because of the enthusiasm of Angie and Alan Olson, who agreed to help organize a traditional schooner race. 

 Schooners from all over SF Bay and beyond have participated and club members have enjoyed seeing the guest dock filled with beautiful traditional vessels.

After ten years of mostly schooners, with occasional honorary schooners participating, it was decided to open the regatta to all classic vessels regardless of rig. In 2019 the name was changed to the Belvedere Classic Regatta, including the Great San Francisco Schooner Race.

As part of the expanded regatta, in 2019 the SFYC partnered with the St. Francis YC and the Master Mariner’s Benevolent Association to establish a season series championship for classic yachts on the bay. The series includes the annual Master Mariner’s Regatta, the StFYC’s Jessica Cup and SFYC’s Belvedere Classic.

The Belvedere Classic brings beautiful and interesting yachts to the SFYC guest docks, while the collaboration of three of San Francisco Bay’s oldest sailing organizations on the series championship provides even more excitement for traditional boat lovers while helping to nurture awareness of San Francisco’s rich nautical history.

This year’s Belvedere Classic takes place on Saturday the 23rd of August. There will be a wine reception for the yacht owners and captains and a barbecue and party for all participants and spectators on Saturday after the race. Participating boats will be docked at the guest docks and available for viewing by club members.

Cover of a book titled 'The Great San Francisco Schooner Race' featuring a large sailing schooner on the water with white sails and a blue sky in the background.
A collage of sailing boats and a list of participating schooners, showing images of various sailboats including large yachts, traditional schooners, and boats in motion with sails up, along with a list of schooner names, their length overall, and year built.
A collage of images and text about schooners and the San Francisco Schooner Race, including a large photo of a schooner with beige sails sailing on water, smaller photos of schooners docked, and a panel with race results and event details.
Published August 8, 1880, Copyright The New York Times

Published August 8, 1880, Copyright The New York Times

Original SFYC clubhouse in Sausalito circa 1890, with the schooner CHISPA docked in front.

Original SFYC clubhouse in Sausalito circa 1890, with the schooner CHISPA docked in front.

Isadore Gutte, the longest-serving SFYC Commodore owned the famed, Chispa, a Matthew Turner designed schooner.

Isadore Gutte, the longest-serving SFYC Commodore owned the famed, Chispa, a Matthew Turner designed schooner.

Chispa, scene of many festive and elaborate SFYC excursions, successfully challenged and beat Annie in the club’s annual regatta in 1880.

Chispa, scene of many festive and elaborate SFYC excursions, successfully challenged and beat Annie in the club’s annual regatta in 1880.

Chispa & Emerald [Winner of the 1st and 2nd SFYC Annual Regattas, 1869 & l870].

Chispa & Emerald [Winner of the 1st and 2nd SFYC Annual Regattas, 1869 & l870].

Jabez Howes, an SFYC Member, owned the famous racing sloop, Annie, which they brought around the Horn aboard the Clipper Ship Three Brothers, considered the world's largest ship at the time.

Jabez Howes, an SFYC Member, owned the famous racing sloop, Annie, which they brought around the Horn aboard the Clipper Ship Three Brothers, considered the world's largest ship at the time.

Sloop Annie & Schooner Chispa. Annie's mast was SFYC’s original flag pole and was the model for the current replacement. The only surviving souvenir from Annie is a halyard block trophy used for the annual SFYC Yachtsman of the Year award.

Sloop Annie & Schooner Chispa. Annie's mast was SFYC’s original flag pole and was the model for the current replacement. The only surviving souvenir from Annie is a halyard block trophy used for the annual SFYC Yachtsman of the Year award.

Yankee & Santana

Yankee & Santana

Seaward

Seaward

Mahdee

Mahdee

Freda B & Brigadoon

Freda B & Brigadoon

Freda, the oldest yacht on the West Coast

Freda, the oldest yacht on the West Coast

Kaialani

Kaialani

Black and white photograph of a man with a full beard and mustache, wearing a suit jacket and a collared shirt.

The inspiration for the modern brigantine “Matthew Turner”, seen often on the Bay and a Classics participant, comes from Matthew Turner, who immigrated to the Bay Area from his home on the shores of Lake Erie in 1850 and is an early member of SFYC. 

Matthew Turner was more than just the most prolific builder of sailing ships in history, he was also responsible for one of the greatest innovations in commercial sailing vessel hull design. By moving the displacement of the ship aft Turner was able to narrow the bow of the ship.