Exclusive Cruise on America's Cup Yachts - Stars and Stripes & Abracadabra in San Diego

America's Cup Racing Yachts Stars and Stripes and Abracadabra - A sailing experience that will be unforgettable, breathtaking and surprisingly affordable! Our boats are among the fastest mono-hull sailing vessels in the world.

Here's a faster, more exotic way take in the awe-inspiring scenery of San Diego Bay. This 2.5 hour public sailing excursions aboard our two 80-foot International America's Cup Class (IACC) racing yachts is by far the finest sailing experience America's Finest City has to offer.

You've watched these magnificent, high-tech boats race for sailing's ultimate prize-the America's Cup. But nothing compares to the thrill and excitement of sailing aboard an IACC yacht. With masts that stretch skyward as high as an 11-story building, these precision-engineered racing yachts are the fastest mono-hull sailing vessels in the world.

This also includes a FREE entry to the Maritime Museum of San Diego, which can be visited on the day of the sail prior to or after the excursion. The San Diego Maritime Museum is home to a magnificent showpiece of famous ships and maritime history. You can stroll the decks of "Star of India," crawl through an ancient Russian Submarine or tour "Surprise," the ship featured in the Russell Crowe film, "Master & Commander."

In addition to sailing tours from San Diego, we also offer a two hour harbor tour, a two hour San Diego Bay Tour, a variety of dinner cruises, whale watching adventures, and much more.

Book San Diego tours, cruises, and sightseeing activities online and save or call us toll free for assistance with reservations, group tour bookings, and private yacht and sailboat charters.

Sit back, relax and hold on to your hat as you glide quietly and effortlessly through San Diego Bay, breezing by popular landmarks, attractions, and military points of interest which may include:

~ America's Cup Harbor
~ Coronado Bay Bridge
~ North Island Naval Airstation
~ Submarine Amphibious Base
~ Aircraft Carriers (when in port)
~ San Diego Convention Center
~ Downtown San Diego Skyline
~ Cabrillo National Monument
~ Star of India and other historic ships
~ Ocean wildlife, such as seals, sea lions, pelicans and gulls
~ and much more.

These two 80 foot yachts are the only two IACC (International America's Cup Class) vessels licensed by the US Coast Guard for charter in the USA. The combination of these two racing yachts provides guests with the pinnacle of sailing experiences worldwide, an adventure they only previously dreamed of. Guests are encouraged to pitch in with the sailing and live their dream. Don't miss this opportunity on San Diego Bay to take a sailing experience found in no other city!

Included:
~ 2.5 Hour sailing trip
~ 4 professional crew members
~ cooler of cold soft beverages
~ FREE ticket to the Maritime Museum of San Diego

Dress:

~ Soft shoes (Tennis, Deck shoes, Sandles)
~ Casual attire for San Diego weather (Guests do not get wet, ample space for storage of jackets, etc.)

USA 54 Facts

Length: 80 feet
Weight: 50,000 pounds (85% of the weight is in the ballast)
Mast height: 114 feet (11 stories)
Upwind Speed: 12-13 knots
Downwind Speed: up to 20 knots (in very high winds)

Built in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1999, Abracadabra / USA 54 was designed by Australian, Ian Burns. The yacht was raced in the 2000 America's Cup in Auckland New Zealand, by John Kolius' Aloha Racing, operating out of the Waikiki Yacht Club.

Abracadabra was the second of two IACC boats entered by Aloha Racing, along with stable mate USA 50. During the 2000 America's Cup challenge, Abracadabra defeated Team Dennis Conner's USA 55 in preliminary round robin races in 2 out of 3 races. After an unsuccessful run at the 2000 America's Cup, Abracadabra was purchased by software magnate, Larry Ellison, who used it as a training boat for his Oracle Racing team.

The yacht was later acquired by Team Dennis Conner. As the trial horse for Conner's USA 66, Abracadabra underwent significant modifications in order to match the speeds of current IACC racing yachts. Its boom was lengthened by two feet, and the keel was extended by one foot. Today, Abracadabra retains her high-tech racing features, including a winged keel. While not nearly as famous as Stars & Stripes / USA 34, Abracadabra is more technologically advanced and the faster of the two boats.

USA 34 Facts

Length: 79 feet
Weight: 50,000 pounds (85% of the weight is in the ballast)
Mast height: 114 feet (11 stories)
Upwind Speed: 10-12 knots
Downwind Speed: up to 18 knots (in very high winds)

"Stars & Stripes." It is arguably the most widely-recognized name among all American sailing vessels. Team Dennis Conner's original Stars & Stripes went to Australia in 1987 and won back the America's Cup in Fremantle, defeating the Aussies'Kookaburra III.

"Stars & Stripes" / USA 34 was designed by David Pedrick and built in 1994 by Goetz Boat Works for Team Dennis Conner's single-boat campaign during the 1995 America's Cup in San Diego. Stars & Stripes / USA 34 rose to notoriety by winning the Citizen Cup in 1995, earning the right to defend the Cup on behalf of the San Diego Yacht Club. But in one of the most bizarre twists in the history of America's Cup racing, Conner chose to defend the Cup, not aboard his Stars & Stripes / USA 34, but rather using Young America / USA 36, which he had just defeated in the finals of the Citizen Cup.

In head to head competition, Team New Zealand's Black Magic proved to be much faster, defeating Team Dennis Conner in four straight races. The Cup resided in New Zealand until the controversial 2003 victory by the Swiss Team's Alinghi, with Team New Zealand's former skipper, Russell Coutts as its Master.

Bad Weather - Rain Check
In the unlikely event that we must cancel or postpone your scheduled excursion due to hazardous weather conditions, we will make every effort to re-schedule your reservation for a date and time that is most convenient for you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Sailing Excursions:

~ Q.: Will the two yachts actually RACE one another? A: If there are at least six (6) guests booked for each boat, there will be a simulated race event.

~ Q.: Is sailing in the Bay likely to make me seasick? I'd really hate to have to HONK on such a nice boat. A: The ride is generally very smooth. However, if you're susceptible to motion sickness, take the necessary precautions. To date no passenger has been seasick. Honking is strongly discouraged

~ Q: What is your policy on SMOKING? I have cigars that are big enough to last the entire excursion. A: Our fire extinguisher is mightier than any cigar, and our crew members are not afraid to use it to enforce our no smoking policy.

~ Q: What are the seating arrangements on the boat? Lazy-Boy recliners-or grab a piece of deck and hold on? A: Padded seating is limited. You may just have to grab a piece of deck and hold on.

~ Q: Do I stay in the same place for the duration of the ride, or can I get up and move around? A: That depends on how well you behave yourself.

~ Q: Is there a restroom on the boat, or do I just grab a lifeline and hang it out over the water? A: On a boat it's the head, and, yeah, we've got that. No lifeline required. The facility on board is very basic and we recommend that all passengers use the restroom prior to boarding. We can also transfer a passenger to a nearby restroom with our tender.

~ Q: Are life jackets provided on the boat? Will I have my choice of colors and styles? A: The Coast Guard requires us to keep life jackets on board. If you have an opportunity to wear one, you'll probably be in water up to your neck and nobody will notice if it matches your shoes.

~ Q: Are snacks and beverages available on the boat, or are there drive-thru fast food restaurants out in the middle of the bay? A: If the wind is up, all food and snacks aboard the boat will instantly become fast food. We do provide water and soft drinks free of charge.

~ Q: Is it true that once we leave the dock, state and federal laws and marriage licenses no longer apply? A: That's a fallacy for most people, but for a few it's a fantasy.

~ Q: Where is the crow's nest, and how do I get up there? A: It's eleven stories up the mast and there is no elevator.

~ Q: Out there in the harbor's channel, who would have the right of way, your IACC yacht, or an aircraft carrier? A: Take a wild guess.

Tour does not include hotel pick-up. Please reserve online or call us toll-free at 800-303-7197.