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Yachts

Home About The Race Yachts

From vintage timber yachts to high-tech racing machines. Each crew shares one goal: to cross the finish line in Hobart and earn their place in ocean-racing history.

LAWCONNECT, Sail no: SYD 1000, Owner: Christian Beck, Design: Juan K 100 Custom, Country: AUS
RSHYR 2024 dockside ambience - Wild Thing 100. Image: CYCA | Salty Dingo
2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart race start. Image: ROLEX | Carlo Borlenghi

Who Can Race?

The Rolex Sydney Hobart is open to any yacht that meets the Category 1 offshore safety requirements. This means each boat is fully equipped for long-distance ocean racing, capable of handling the conditions of Bass Strait and the Tasman Sea.

Boats range from 30-foot classics to 100-foot super maxis, sailed by everyone from club sailors to America’s Cup and Ocean Race veterans. It is truly the race for everyone. 

Only monohulls can partake in the race. 

Fully Crewed or Double Handed?

Yacht Design & Innovation

 

Race Categories

  • IRC: Used worldwide, IRC is the benchmark system that determines the race’s Overall Winner (Tattersall Cup). Each yacht’s performance potential is rated based on precise measurements, ensuring any well-sailed boat can take the top prize. 
  • PHS: PHS is a performance handicap system that sits outside of measurement-based rating systems. It recognises a boat’s performance over time and adjusts its handicap based on previous race outcomes.
  • Veterans & Grand Veterans: These divisions honour the fleet’s heritage. Timeless craftsmanship still holds its own against modern design.  
    • Veterans: Yachts built between 1976 and 1995. 
    • Grand Veterans: Yachts built before 1976.
  • Corinthian Division: For amateur sailors competing purely for the love of the sport, the spirit of ocean racing at its most authentic. 
  • IRC Cruiser/Racer: For yachts set up for comfortable cruising as well as competitive racing. To be eligible, boats must have a Length of Hull (LH) of at least 13.9 metres.

Over the years there have been different categories in the race like, IOR, IMS & ORCi.