Grand Illusion

The Skiff Sailing Foundation plans to improve Grand Illusion and keep her racing for years to come. The aim is to create lasting opportunities for many sailors to build offshore experience, learn from one another and take part in competitive Pacific racing.

Tim Wells will lead the syndicate in 2027, bringing together sailors from Grand Illusion's past crews and Bay Area racers. Their experience will help guide the boat's preparation and give new crew members the chance to develop alongside sailors who know her well. Our organization hopes to provide the opportunity for many to experience racing to Hawaii and build a program that can continue for many years.

Designed by Bill Lee and launched in 1986, Grand Illusion is a Santa Cruz 70, one of the West Coast's best-known ultralight offshore racing yachts. Often called sleds, these boats combine long, light hulls and powerful sail plans suited to fast downwind passages with the seamanship and teamwork needed to race around the clock.

Grand Illusion won Transpac overall on corrected time in 1999, 2011 and 2015. Her 2000 Vic-Maui elapsed-time record of 9 days, 2 hours, 8 minutes and 27 seconds stood until 2016. More recent results include class victories in the 2020 Puerto Vallarta and 2021 Cabo races, a Class B win and second overall on corrected time in the 2022 Islands Race, and second in Transpac Division 3 in 2023 followed by third in 2025.

A historical tally puts the Santa Cruz 70 fleet at 100 finishes across Transpac, Pacific Cup and Vic-Maui through 2025. We hope to add another finish to that history and lay the groundwork for many more sailors and seasons ahead.