Enter PV09 and take advtantage of free seminars

In light of current events, there’s a case to be made that sailing off to Mexico in Del Rey Yacht Club’s PV09 International Race Series to Puerto Vallarta next Jan. 31 makes economic sense for several reasons.

Those who sign up by Oct. 31 for the 20th biennial event, presented by CORUM Swiss Timepieces, will get a $200 discount on their entry fees (only four slots remain to fill the limit of 40 boats).

Forget gas—wind power is free.

Also, free mooring at Del Rey YC before the race and at Marina Vallarta until Feb. 15, plus all pre-race, mid-race and post-race shore activities.

And, free seminars on boat preparation, GPS operation and other offshore necessities, plus a $20 all-day safety-at-sea seminar offered by the Southern California Yachting Association (SCYA).

All but the last of the seminars, which start Oct. 23, are open to all sailors, not just for PV09 entries, with no commitment. But you’re likely to get hooked, as Sandy Sinclair did a few races ago.

Sinclair, a DRYC member who will sail his Beneteau 47, Vianne, in this race, recalled recently, ‘I was fascinated and a bit intimidated by the possibility of taking such a huge step, knowing that my experience to date had involved only local coastal and Catalina Island sailing. During that [seminar] I spoke to several veterans of the PV race and began to realize that this was something I might be able to do.’

Sinclair had misgivings. ‘I was working full time and could not afford to take [much time] off, which caused some cruisers to discourage me from taking this challenge. We struggled with this and finally decided that even if we could not spend a lot of time with our boat in Mexico, we should grab whatever time we could and enjoy the adventure.’

There were no regrets.

‘We had the honor of taking last place in two legs and an amazing third in one,’ Sinclair said. ‘That was fine with us, as we were there to have fun, not break records. After becoming hooked, I returned with my new Catalina 42 in PV01, took first place in class, and crewed on a friend’s boat (first place in our class) in PV05.

‘I am ready to go again! The overall experience of the trip down Baja, seeing dozens of whales in Mag Bay, the camaraderie, the parties and our short but sweet cruising time in Mexico was a life-changing experience.’