No room in Cabo for Mexican race

When offshore racing in California, you’re either aiming at Hawaii or Mexico. Downwind sails are hoisted, each day gets warmer, and refreshing beverages are just across the finish line. Mexican races to Cabo San Lucas have always been popular – long but not too long – but the race host has bad news to report:

Newport Harbor Yacht Club (NHYC) announced the abandonment of the March 2025 biennial yacht race from Newport Beach to Cabo San Lucas, BCS, Mexico.

While the sailboat race has been conducted every odd numbered year for six decades, recent instability and the lack of available slips in the Cabo Marina has caused a break for this race until next March 19-25, 2027.

Sadly, this action affects such an amazing sailboat race that borders 810 nautical miles of Southern California and Baja California coastline and has been the source of many great sea-stories and fond memories.

The unfortunate issue is an inability to secure marina berthing for the 40+ sailing vessels ranging from 40 feet to over 100 feet that routinely race south to the Sea of Cortez ending at Los Cabos. Marina management has informed the race organizers that the Cabo San Lucas Marina is already overbooked for the March 2025 race date and the other marinas are also full.

NHYC has been actively working with marina management since 2023 to secure berthing, but recent marina instability and a very active fishing fleet that pays for slips a year in advance, has led to uncertainty for post-race berthing, including side-tying at I-Dock. Unlike prior years, no large yachts are currently reserved that, if moved for a week, could provide the needed temporary space for yachts changing from race mode to delivery mode.

We anticipate marina conditions will improve in time for the 2027 race and we will continue to work with current marina management to secure a favorable scenario for that race date. The NHYC Cabo Race Organizing Committee will hold the March 2027 slot on the race calendar and provide updates in 2026 about the prospects for the 2027 race.

For more information:
(949) 723-6870
jess.gerry@nhycstaff.org