The Rolex Big Boat Series, now in its 47th year, annually attracts many world-caliber sailors, all of whom are eager to win one of the six specially engraved Rolex timepieces, given to the winners of the St. Francis Yacht Club's Perpetual Trophies. In 1964, young Bob 'RC' Keefe convinced Commodore Stan Natcher that the St. Francis YC should create a series to showcase big boat yachting talent from around the world. Jim Wilhite's S&S 63 yawl Athene won the St. Francis Perpetual Trophy in this first year, and when in 1968 another division was needed to accommodate the increase in participants, the newly created City of San Francisco Trophy was awarded to Theo Stephens' S&S 47 Alpha.

In 1972, another perpetual trophy – the Richard Rheem Trophy – was added to the competition, and was awarded to Bill Clute's yellow Ericson 39 Chiquita. The fourth perpetual, the Keefe-Kilborn Memorial Trophy, was added in 1976 and awarded to Lucian Taylor's Peterson 40 Racy. In 1978 (with a then-record 46 entries), the Atlantic Trophy was added and was won by Bill Sullivan's Peterson 43 Blue Norther. In 2004, the Commodore's Cup was added to the list of trophies and is now awarded to the largest one-design fleet in the Series.

From its inception, The Big Boat Series has showcased top sailing talent and boats. From the glory days of SORC, IOR and IMS to today's Grand Prix and One Design classes, the Big Boat Series has continued to be the west coast's premier regatta where the best of the best meet for four days of challenging racing. In 2010, the Big Boat Series also served as the Melges 32 Pre-Worlds Championship and will this year host the Farr 30 Worlds.

September 19, 2010 -- BRILLIANT SAILING SHOWCASED ON SAN FRANCISCO BAY... read more September 18, 2010 -- BACK TO NORMAL AND ON WITH THE GAME... read more September 17, 2010 -- LINGERING FOG BRINGS MORE CHALLENGES... read more September 16, 2010 -- DAY ONE DOWN, THREE TO GO... read more September 13, 2010 -- POISED FOR A SHOW ON SAN FRANCISCO BAY... read more