You are here: / / News

25th Ambassadors’ Cup 31 October 2026

/in , , , , , /by

25 Years of Bringing The World Together – The 25th Ambassadors’ Cup, Silver Jubilee Edition

25 years of Bringing The World Together!

Changi Sailing Club pulled out all the stops to put on a memorable show for this milestone edition, and the weather certainly played its part, putting on a spectacular display of the varying wind conditions that the Club experiences throughout the year. From gusts exceeding 20 knots to completely becalmed, glassy waters, all 41 participating boats experienced a day of sailing like no other.

This year’s event welcomed 16 Ambassadors and representatives from a total of 24 Embassies. The Embassy of Panama and H.E. Sebastian Breton Perez returned to preside over our Silver Jubilee edition, following the resounding success of last year’s event under his stewardship. Recent geopolitical developments and unforeseen circumstances had affected diplomatic attendance, but despite the smaller turnout, the energy and camaraderie throughout the event remained as strong as ever.

Adding a new dimension to this year’s celebrations was the introduction of the Best Dressed Boat awards. Sailors came dressed in their finest nautical attire, while boats were adorned with colourful decorations to mark the occasion. It was wonderful to see everyone embracing the spirit of the Silver Jubilee!

Of the 41 participating boats, seven were visiting from other marinas and yacht clubs. A big thank you to Millennium II, Majabelle, Firstlight, Intrigue of Stornoway, Pascal Go, Sea Monster and AestheSea for making the journey to sail with us!

On the Race Course

Sailors were certainly given a challenging day on the water. An easterly squall brought fierce winds, with some boats battling gusts exceeding 20 knots for up to 30 minutes, making for a thrilling and rather eventful passage towards North Angler.

Once the winds subsided, a significant outgoing tide added to the returning fleet’s woes, slowing progress to a crawl. While most of the light and nimble multihulls managed to navigate the course successfully, much of the Non-Ambassadors’ and Keelboat Open fleets struggled to complete the race within the allocated time limit.

Ambassadors’ Division

Nine boats managed to complete the race, with Team Colombia initially looking to have the upper hand. H.E. Margarita Manjarrez sailed skilfully aboard Firstlight, an accomplished Beneteau First 50 owned and skippered by Simon Piff. Despite crossing the finish line first, she had not established enough of a lead over the chasing pack to hold on to the top spot.

That honour went to Team Panama, led by H.E. Sebastian Breton Perez aboard Adona. The Dehler 38, recently refurbished and helmed by owner/skipper Ad Smit, handled the heavy breeze impressively, establishing an insurmountable lead over the rest of the fleet to claim victory for Panama at the 25th Ambassadors’ Cup!

Completing the podium as the best of the rest was Bound To Please. The Corby 29 sailed with H.E. Damien Cole of the Embassy of Ireland onboard, with skipper Colin Clark providing the Ambassador with a genuine and thoroughly enjoyable sailing experience.

Non-Ambassadors’ Division

In the Non-Ambassadors’ Division, only two boats managed to finish within the time limit: Skybird and Shardana.

Of the two 34-footers, the Dehler 34 Skybird emerged triumphant, sailing an excellent race to take line honours in her division and even catch up with the Ambassadors’ fleet!

Skipper Edwin was quick to commend the Thai delegation for their hard work on the winches, contributing to excellent boat speed and an overall wonderful experience for the crew.

It was double jubilation for Southeast Asia, with Team Philippines aboard Shardana finishing as the only other boat to complete the race in under three hours.

Of the remaining fleet, Team Mexico aboard the beautiful Remington came closest to the finish line and was also the quickest around North Angler, earning a well-deserved third place.

Keelboat Open Division

In the Keelboat Open Division, it was another two-boat affair at the finish line, with IMP and Notus battling it out for line honours.

In a nail-biting finish, IMP crossed the line just four seconds ahead of Notus, but ultimately relinquished the top spot on corrected time. Wild Thing took third place as the best of the rest, finishing just two minutes after the time limit had expired.

Multihull Division

Among the fast multihulls that completed the race, Yeah Baby was the fastest!

Veteran Scott McCook once again demonstrated why he remains one of Singapore’s finest catamaran sailors, taking his Nacra 17 around the course in an impressive 1 hour, 22 minutes and 49 seconds.

Second place went to Twisted Creature, sailed by Kellie and Matt. The pair survived a scare following a near collision with another boat during the squall, but quickly got back into the groove to maintain their position ahead of Chop Chop.

Skipper Jesse Treharne sailed Chop Chop single-handed in the challenging conditions, so kudos to him for completing the course, albeit just outside the time limit!

A special commendation goes to Aether, skippered by Ron Chua. The father-and-daughter duo aboard this compact TwinCat 15 were taking part in their very first regatta! With the support of Jhing and the Operations Team, Aether successfully made the start, stayed safe through the squall and navigated her way around North Angler – all while having fun along the way!

We hope to see much more of Aether at future events!

Trimaran Division

A trio of Corsairs represented the Trimaran Division at the 25th Ambassadors’ Cup. Of the three, Dot Dot Dot was the quickest, while Miss Visayan took home the honours for Best Dressed Boat!

Back racing after a month of maintenance work, it was great to see skipper David Steel back on the water. An unfortunate incident involving Rainbow Dream on the race course was the only blemish on Miss Visayan’s otherwise colourful outing. We were certainly impressed by the effort put into dressing up the boat!

Completing the trio was Soluna 880, helmed by skipper Roy Phua. As an occasional racer, we’re simply glad to have Roy and his team taking Soluna 880 out for a spin and enjoying a day on the water with us.

Celebrations Ashore

Back on shore, the drinks flowed and the entertainment brought everyone to their feet!

The evening commenced with an eloquent address by our Commodore, Deborah Barker, who acknowledged the significance and prestige of the event, as well as the many individuals and groups who came together to make it happen.

Sailors and guests were then treated to powerful vocals and infectious tunes by the charismatic band 10.seconds, while the evening’s food and drinks were expertly provided by the experienced team from Georges.

In a wonderful affirmation of the event’s continued legacy, H.E. Sebastian Breton Perez also confirmed his return to preside over the Ambassadors’ Cup in 2027!

Our Sponsors and Supporters

We would like to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt appreciation to the following sponsors for their generous contributions towards making the 25th Ambassadors’ Cup, Silver Jubilee Edition, a success:

  1. Marine Technology & Construction
  2. Thiam Building Construction
  3. Mr KC Chng
  4. Friends of Simba
  5. The Handy Expat
  6. United Airlines
  7. Georges
  8. The Luxury Network & Diplomatic Council

Your continued support means a great deal to the Club and helps us keep this wonderful tradition alive.

A Big Thank You to Our People

To the Management Team, staff and student volunteers from SMU Sailing Club who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the smooth running of the event – a very big thank you!

From the administration and logistics to race management, on-water operations, event preparation and hospitality, every contribution played an important part in bringing this milestone celebration together.

The success of the 25th Ambassadors’ Cup would simply not have been possible without your dedication, teamwork and commitment.

Until We Meet Again

Just 48 hours after the event, I find myself back at my desk, reflecting on Saturday’s festivities.

There is no doubt that the Ambassadors’ Cup is much more than just a sailing race. It is a reflection of the spirit of Changi Sailing Club, our dedication to the sport and, above all, our commitment to bringing people and communities together.

It is the people who truly embody the spirit of this event. From the sailors and diplomats to our sponsors, volunteers, staff and members, everyone has played a part in keeping this tradition alive for 25 years.

As we celebrate this Silver Jubilee milestone, we are once again proud to say that we have successfully brought the world together.

Here’s to the next chapter, and we’ll see you again in 2027!

Changi Sailing Club
Bringing The World Together.

Results

25th AMBASSADORS’ CUP RESULTS_FINAL

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons
Load more

CSC 90th Anniversary Celebrations – 26 September 2026

/in , , , , /by

Phew! What an incredible day last Saturday was!

Changi Sailing Club celebrated an incredible milestone as more than 200 members and guests came together to commemorate 90 years of the Club’s existence.

The day went smoothly despite a packed itinerary. In the morning, Adona, En Dian, Oojoo, Sirocco and Skybird hosted beneficiaries from the Good News Family Service Centre for an experiential Joy Sail. The initiative is part of the Club’s ongoing Community Outreach Programme, and we were pleased to be joined by Members of Parliament Valerie Lee and Sharael Taha.

Vice Commodore Justin Lean hosted both MPs during the morning programme, accompanying them through the itinerary and presenting each with a small token of appreciation on behalf of the Club. As Changi Sailing Club falls within Valerie’s constituency, it was particularly fitting to have her visit and lend her support to the initiative, while Sharael’s presence further reflected the Club’s continued engagement with the wider Pasir Ris–Changi community.

A highlight of the day was the inaugural Celebratory SailPast. More than 40 boats, fully decked out in colourful decorations, lined up to salute Commodore Deborah Barker, who was stationed at the Crow’s Nest to inspect the parade. In the Commodore’s own words, “this is the first SailPast I have been a part of in over 40 years of being a member of the Club.”

The afternoon quickly transitioned into racing for all classes, providing an excellent dress rehearsal for the upcoming Ambassadors’ Cup. The Keelboats, Multihulls and Beach Cats were sent on a Pennant 4 course, while the dinghies took part in the shorter Pennant 1 course. This worked well for all involved, giving the predominantly youth dinghy fleet sufficient time to return to shore for the afternoon’s other activities.

Sailors and guests could take part in a heritage walk led by youth sailor Mikail Shahrom, explore the games and activity booths at Changi Hall, and enjoy entertaining magic shows, with lucky draw announcements peppered throughout the afternoon.

Close Racing on the Water

The dinghies provided plenty of excitement at the finish line, with the fleet finishing in quick succession. In the Optimist Class, Sumi, Afiyah and Neel had everyone on the edge of their seats with a split-second finish between the three sailors. Neel eventually edged out Sumi and Afiyah by the narrowest of margins to claim third place, with Chloe taking first and Elouan second.

In the ILCA 6 Class, Misa claimed the top spot, with Jaydn finishing second.

The ILCA 4 Class had the largest dinghy representation, with seven boats on the start line. Reyes, Amandine and Morris took first, second and third respectively. Reyes also secured third place in the Open Division after corrected time, finishing behind the two ILCA 6 sailors, Misa and Jaydn, who took first and second respectively to complete a double for the 90th Anniversary Race.

The “big boys and girls” heading out to Tekong Buoy and back also delivered large fleets and exciting sailing. An impressive 26 boats comprising 4 IRC, 15 PY, 6 Multihulls and 1 Beach Cat took part. We were blessed with a consistent breeze throughout the afternoon, allowing the fleet to complete a longer course.

In the IRC Class, the only boat to fly a spinnaker throughout the course earned a comfortable victory, with Born in Fire slipping into the top spot. The battle between Simba, Bound to Please and Koru saw the two smaller boats deny the Dehler 39 a place on the podium, with Bound to Please taking second and Koru third.

The largest fleet on the water also saw extremely close racing, with only seconds separating first to fourth after handicap correction. SMU Sailing Club’s Notus made her presence felt (quite literally) before the start, making contact with CSC 1. Thankfully, it was only a scuff, and the team promptly followed up with a penalty turn.

Notus bounced back to sail an excellent race, keeping the larger boats at bay to take victory. She was one of only two boats to fly the spinnaker, and it proved to be an excellent decision. Notus finished just 50 seconds ahead of Southern Light, with both boats putting in performances worthy of the podium. Completing the top three was the ever-charismatic Skybird. The Dehler 34 had to play catch-up after a premature start, but successfully clawed her way back through the fleet to finish third, just 12 seconds ahead of Wild Thing.

Wrapping up the results, Kaze put on a confident display of sailing, securing an early lead and holding it throughout to take first place among the six Multihulls. She was followed closely by Bula and Miss Visayan, both familiar rivals in the Club Series.

A Night of Celebration

Back on shore, the Anniversary Dinner was graced by our Guest of Honour, Minister Indranee Rajah, Second Minister for National Development and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office. She also heads the Pasir Ris–Punggol Group Representation Constituency, and her presence was an important show of support for Changi Sailing Club and the wider sailing community.

We were also honoured to welcome Commander of the Police Coast Guard SAC Ang Eng Seng, Mr Dean Tan, Deputy Chief of SportSG, Mr Leslie Tan, CEO of Singapore Sailing, Mr Anthony Lim, former Commodore of Changi Sailing Club, as well as representatives from our various stakeholders and several other notable figures from the sailing and sporting community.

Following an uplifting speech by Minister Indranee and a heartfelt address by Commodore Deborah, the evening continued in a celebratory mood with the unveiling of our 90th Anniversary Commemorative Video and Cake Cutting Ceremony.

Prize Giving for the afternoon’s races followed shortly after, before members and guests settled in for an evening of live music and celebrations.

Here’s to the Next 90 Years!

A huge thank you to all our members, guests and friends of Changi Sailing Club for joining us to celebrate this momentous occasion.

Our heartfelt appreciation also goes to all CSC staff, volunteers and Committee members for their hard work and dedication in delivering an unforgettable celebration.

From our founding in 1936 to this milestone 90 years later, Changi Sailing Club has continued to bring people together through sailing, friendship, sport and community.

Here’s to the next 90 years!

Results

Results_2026 90 Anniversary Race

Dinghy Results_2026 90 Anniversary Race

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons
Load more

27th Western Circuit Sailing Regatta – Day 2 Report

/in , , , /by

Report by Jakub Sharpe, Southern Light

Introduction
Day 2 saw changeable conditions once again. Similar to day 1, the winds only started to pick up a couple hours after the first warning signal. However, this did not deter anyone out on the water, and they all pushed on to achieve greater heights on Day 2.

Hansa 2.3 singles
The Hansa’s were back in action on Day 2, with 5 boats in the singles category. Tan Jian Hao would go on to win the class finishing on the podium in every race bar one. His podiums in Races 6, 7, and 10, along with his bullet in Race 9 allowed him to capitalise on his strong performance in Day 1 to finish 1st overall. Kenny Kow finished 2nd overall, who was the only other sailor apart from Tan Jian Hao that managed to finish on the podium in every race bar one. Rounding off the podium, in 3rd, Jia Jun consistently finished within the top 4.

Hansa 2.3 doubles
The doubles category had 5 boats out on the water too. Tan Yi Fang, and Chong Wei Ken continued their red-hot form of day 1, amassing a total of 3 bullets on day 2, thus ensuring their victory at the 27th RM Western Circuit Sailing Regatta. In 2nd came Chia Pei Chen and Tang Lassie who finished 2nd in 4 races on day 2. Just one point behind Chia Pei Chen and Tang Lassie on the overall standings, Claudine Chong and Chong Teng Wen’s three podiums, including a bullet in Race 8 saw them finish 3rd overall to finish off the podium places.

SB20 Class
The SB20 class started Day 2 strongly once again. With the SB20 class being a one-design class the 7 other boats gave the top 3 a real run for their money. Ultimately, a hotly contested Day 2 ended with TARA winning the overall SB20 class, closely followed by The Dean’s List in 2nd. Sea U Later, would end up finishing 3rd overall to complete the podium places.

J24 class

Shengli, after finishing third on Day 1, went on to win all but one race on Day 2. Thus, they would go on to lift the J24 class trophy, winning the 27th Western Circuit Sailing Regatta’s J24 class. Alongside Shengli on the podium, were the two RSYC boats of RSYC Tiga, and RSYC Satu.

PY Class
After finishing third in Day 1, Intrigue would drop out of Day 2, leaving them to finish fourth overall. This left 3 boats in the PY Class to battle it out for the honour of lifting the PY trophy at the end of the day. The start of Race 1 was close between First Light, and Southern Light with a “Starboard” having to be hailed as the two boats crossed between metres of each other. This would continue for the majority of the day as the conditions on Day 2 seemed to suit First Light better than the conditions on Day 1. However, Southern Light would go on to win every race in the PY Class and ultimately lift the much sought after PY trophy. First Light would come 2nd , a much-improved performance from that of theirs on Day 1 to make it a CSC 1, 2 in the PY Class. In 3rd, Rainbow Dream who had to miss the last race of the day due to a medical emergency; Best wishes to the crew of Rainbow Dream and those it may concern.

IRC Class
The windward-leward races of Day 2 would see Taranau climb from 2nd on Day 1 to 1st overall for the regatta. Taranau and SMUVE, once again, fought closely throughout the day, swapping places in almost every race. Ultimately, Taranau edged SMUVE, in 2nd , by 2 points. Zanzibar’s podiums in Races 1 and 2 of Day 2 were enough to seal their place on the podium. SMUVE, however, would go on to win the SMU President’s Cup for winning the IRC passage race on Day 1.

Fund-raising
Part of the yearly Western Circuit Sailing Regatta is a donation to Sailability Singapore. Once can think of the Regatta as a fundraiser to support Sailability’s mission of giving opportunities to the disabled for them to get out on the water. This year, after charitable donations and an auction, the regatta raised a total of $8,030 for the cause. That caps off another year of great racing at Raffles Marina’s Western Circuit Sailing Regatta.

Full Photo Album Here

27th Western Circuit Sailing Regatta 2026 – Day 1 Report

/in , , , /by

Report by – Jakub Sharpe, Southern Light

Introduction
The 27th edition of the Western Circuit Sailing Regatta certainly did not disappoint, with close racing and mixed conditions that gave sailors a real test in their hunts for glory. Racing on day 1 started off slow with the wind speed averaging around 5 knots, just enough for some of the bigger boats on the course to start moving. However, as the day progressed, the wind built, and as the final boat to finish the day crossed the line, a gusty 12-knot breeze had built.

Hansa 2.3
This class has to come with an honourable mention to Sailability Singapore (Sailability), and its organisers. Sailability is a programme that gives the disabled an opportunity to get on the water, sail, and in this case, compete. One of Singapore’s finest sailors, and Paralympian Jovin Tan, plays a great role in being the head of Sailability; none of this could happen without him.

Hansa 2.3 Singles
Tan Jian Hao would dominate day one with a podium in every single race, with bullets in Races 3, 4, and 5. His great performance would see him finish top of the standings on Day 1. Kenny Kow, a close second, managed to also finish every single race on the podium, with bullets in Races 1 and 2. Ng Jia Jun rounded off the podium, coming in the top 3 in every race bar Race 4.

Hansa 2.3 Doubles
Tan Yi Feng and Chong Wei Ken amassed 4 podiums on Day 1, with 2 being bullets, ensuring that they came out on top on Day 1. Coming in second, Etienne and Helena would finish on the podium in 3 races on Day 1, with bullets in races 1 and 3. Jolin, and Ivy would round off the top 3, with 3 podiums on Day 1, with a bullet in Race 2.

SB20 Class
Unlike the IRC and PY classes which sailed a passage race on Day 1, the SB20 and J24 classes participated in windward-lewards. It was, oncea gain, a good showing for the SB20 class with 10 boats out on the water. Despite missing the first race, Tara, skippered by Agoston Sipos, managed to come out on top in Day 1 with a total of 5 points. This was closely followed by The Dean’s List, comprising sailors from NUS and NTU who amassed a total of 6 points. In third, Team Relájate, skippered by John Bateman, finished Day 1 on 8 points.

J24 class
A total of 5 teams made up the J24 class. Similar to the SB20s, the J24s sailed short windward-leward races on Day 1. A strong 2 knot current affected the start of Race 1 with RSYC Satu, skippered by Kurt Metzger, touching the pin-end of the start line. However, despite this small setback, Kurt and his crew finished day 1 on the top of the podium, with RSYC Tiga in second , and Shengli in third.

PY Class
The PY class consisted of 4 boats, with 2 boats from Changi Sailing Club, namely, James Sharpe’s Southern Light and Manav Krishan’s First Light. The strong 2 knot current and fickle 5 knot breeze hampered the starts of all 4 boats in this class. However, it was Southern Light that ultimately came out on top by a whopping 18 minutes over Rainbow Dream in 2nd place. In 3rd place was the line honours winner, Intrigue, skippered by Yves De Leeneer.

IRC Class
The IRC Class comprised 6 boats, with all boats bar, SMUVE, being owned by CSC Members. Zanzibar would go on to win line honours but miss out on a place on the podium due to handicap. First Light, skippered by Simon Piff, came third after coming second over the line. A great battle ensued between the two Platus of the fleet, Taranau and SMUVE. SMUVE, however, would come out on top to finish 1st on Day One, Taranau finishing 2nd.

Conclusion
That caps off what was a sometimes slow but nonetheless exciting day out on the water, with more close battles following on Sunday.

Full Photo Album Here

CSC Ketam Clean Up 30 August 2025

/in , , , , /by

🌊 Pulau Ketam Cleanup – 30 August 🌊

What a splash! On 30 August, 11 boats and a record 54 volunteers, including NUS Seafarers members and alumni, sailors, and friends, set sail for our biggest Pulau Ketam Cleanup yet. The overwhelming response for the event showed just how powerful community-led action can be when people from different backgrounds come together for the conservation effort.

The day began early at 9am under a lingering drizzle from the previous night’s thunderstorm. The island, alive and buzzing with mosquitoes and bugs, monkeys to hornbills, proved to be difficult terrain as volunteers powered through the uncomfortable situation. Ultimately, gathering a whopping 1620 kg of waste.

Special thanks to our skippers and operational help from Changi Sailing Club who volunteered to bring our participants to Pulau Ketam. Birregurra (Basil), Skybird (Edwin), Calyndrix (Russell), Oojoo (Giam), The Dash (Wolfgang Klemm), Summer Breeze (Jakub), Waka Tere (Kurt & Jill) and Jock (Suzanne).

Seasoned NUS Seafarers and friends also took out CSC’s boats, including JMM (Gerald, Manan, Darren), Notus (Farid & Victoire), and Boreas, sailed by SMU Sailing’s QC & Declan with NUS Sailing’s Hannah.

For many, it was their first time ever sailing, making the cleanup not only impactful but also a perfect platform to experience the magic of sailing – between hoisting trash bags, learning ropes, and soaking up sea breeze, the day combined impact and fun.

This event was supercharged by The Great Ocean Dash (TGOD), a SpongeBob SquarePants Island-wide Ocean Conservation Movement. In celebration of SG60, TGOD is matching every kilogram of trash with sponsor dollars, funding coral planting, biodiversity conservation, and other marine restoration efforts.

By the time we returned to the docks, the piles of trash were high, but spirits were higher. With NUS Seafarers members, alumni, and friends all pitching in alongside seasoned sailors, the Pulau Ketam Cleanup proved that when communities collaborate, we don’t just clean shores, we make waves for a healthier ocean.

Article by: Soo Yan Jia, NUS Seafarers Club

Check out the Video Here

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

No more posts

Hamilton Island Race Week 2025

/in , , , , /by

Hamilton Island Race Week 2025

In late August I was lucky enough to compete in the 40th Hamilton Island Race Week in North Queensland, Australia.  This was the fifth time I have competed in the event which is Australia’s largest offshore sailing regatta.

Hamilton Island is one of the 74 islands in Queensland’s Whitsundays group and at that time of year has perfect weather (18°C-23°C every day) and a challenging mix of winds, tides, currents and sea-swell, plus the ever-present risk of colliding with one of the many whales migrating through the area at the time.  This year the first two races lacked wind at the starts but picked up nicely throughout, and some days we had an excellent 12-20 knots all day.

Despite being the 40th anniversary, numbers were down slightly with 145 entrants in total.  This year’s classes were IRC (Div 1 & 2 and Super 40), One Design (Cape31), several PHS divisions, and three Multihull divisions.  Easily recognisable entries in the IRC were Sydney to Hobart regulars Wild Oats X and (our namesake) Wild Thing 100.  Ando Commanche has been there in recent years but unfortunately wasn’t present this year.

I’m privileged to sail on a friend’s Seawind 1160 named St Arnou.  Along with the two owners and four other crew (all of them friends from Launceston in Tasmania), we boast an average age of a spritely 71 so are proud to remain competitive each year.  This year was more challenging as after an equal third on points last year in a field of 17, and with less entrants this year, we were combined into a tougher and smaller fleet.  Regardless, we managed 6th overall out of ten which included a podium 3rd in race 5 so we were quite happy.

Hamilton Island itself is a magnificent destination that I recommend to anyone for a holiday; but for sailors Race Week is enormously enjoyable with great competition, fun on-shore entertainment, and excellent camaraderie.  I even recommend a round of golf on lay-day at the course on next door Dent Island.  You will likely lose 16 balls on that monster like I do every year, but the location and views are beyond spectacular.

Hope to see you there next year!

John Moore

Wild Thing

 

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

No more posts

Roti Proa – An Experimental Wind and Solar Powered Boat

/in , , , /by

Article by: Martin Henz, CSC member since 2009

July 8, 2025

Sailing in the doldrums

Just one degree north of the equator, Singapore lies in the Intertropical Convergence Zone, also known as “the doldrums”. Thankfully, from December to February, the Northeast Monsoon gives us reliable winds, and in July and August, the Southeast M Monsoon grazes the region, but the rest of the year is hit-and-miss for sailing. You spot some fleeting wind arrows on windy.com, get your sailing buddies and gear together and head out in the morning, only for the wind to die down and the blazing sun scorching your hopes for a day of sailing fun. Sounds familiar?

Sure, yachts have their engines, but those come with noise, grime, smell, and a carbon footprint that deter the next generation of tropical sailors from getting involved. What if we could use the power of that blazing sun to propel us quietly and cleanly when the wind dies down? Imagine solar-sailing whenever you choose, with no fuel costs, noise, or environmental impact!

Bo Bo Cha Cha

The title of my last article in Changi Log, in January 2015 (No. 25, 38-40) asked “Is a Combustion Engine Needed on a Motorised Sailing Yacht?” I described installing solar panels, batteries and an electric outboard motor on my Maxi 77, Bo Bo Cha Cha. To this day, she is Singapore’s only carbon-neutral motorized vessel. After a recent upgrade, Bo Bo Cha Cha has 1260 W of solar panels installed, which on a windless mid-day can get me to a speed of 4 knots without using the batteries at all. With a battery storage capacity of 7.5kWh on board, I can go without sun for more than 7 hours at 1kW and for more than 3.5 hours at 2 kW, the maximal power that my Torqeedo Cruise electric outboard motor can take. On a sunny day, I can go all day even without wind. The catch? The solar panels barely fit over the cockpit, held up by a bespoke stainless-steel construction. Handling and sailing performance is affected, of course, by almost 6 square meters of solar panels on a single-hulled pocket cruiser of 7.7m LOA…not to mention the looks of what some sailing friends call  my “helicopter landing pad”.

Optimizing Wind and Solar Hybrid Propulsion

Yes, it is possible and practical to use solar power instead of a combustion engine to get around on a pocket cruiser in our tropical waters. However, with Bo Bo Cha Cha, I’m at the limit of what retrofitting an existing single hull sailing boat can achieve. Bigger and more modern yachts have relatively less space for solar panels, and their performance and esthetics will be even more severely affected. In “Solar-Powered Sailing Yachts in the Tropics” (with Jörg Weigl, Anand Sundaram, Evan Lowell, and Eric Yee, published by UMRAH Press in 2015), we showed that the larger the boat, the more difficult it is to use on-board solar panels to power it. Instead of retrofitting existing boats with solar panels, I’m now exploring new boat designs, optimized to combine wind and solar power.

The Solar Proa

Solar panels work best with direct sunlight; any shadow cast on the panels greatly reduces their efficiency. When we combine vertical sails with solar panels on a boat, we should avoid that the sails cast a shadow on the panels, regardless of our heading and where the sun and wind come from. With fixed masts and solar panels, I can only think of one good solution to this puzzle: Keep the sails on one side of the boat and the solar panels on the other and give bow and stern the same shape. When the sails cast a shadow on the panels in one direction, the boat can switch direction. The bow becomes the stern, the stern becomes the bow, and the shadow disappears.

Fortunately, we don’t have to reinvent the wheel for this. The Pacific proa is an outrigger sailing canoe whose mast is installed on the main hull and whose outrigger is kept on the windward side to minimize the drag created by the outrigger. When the wind or desired direction change, the proa can “shunt”. The crew brings the boat to a stop, and the voyage continues in the opposite direction. As a result, these boats don’t have a bow or stern. The crab claw sail rig of the Pacific proa is optimized for quick shunting maneuvers.

A typical Pacific proa; the outrigger on the windward side, main hull with a crab claw sail

For an optimal wind/solar boat, we simply need to modify the Pacific proa. A solar proa carries solar panels between the main hull and the outrigger and uses shunting to keep the outrigger on the sunny side, avoiding sail shadow on the panels regardless of the direction of the wind.

Building Roti Proa, the World’s First Solar Proa

I was fortunate to guide a team of students at the National University of Singapore (NUS) to build and test a solar proa from December 2024 to May 2025, and here is what we did.

We kept the construction as simple as possible and chose plywood as the building material, reinforced with pine wood and fiberglass, using epoxy glue and coats, and a polyurethane finish. Here are a couple of photos of the construction process.

Main hull (on the left) started; outrigger (on the right): in progress

The hulls completed and painted, outrigger in front; main hull behind

The power management system was the master’s project by my student Loick Le Goff, who tested his setup on the roof of the School of Computing at NUS.

Testing the solar panels on the rooftop of NUS School of Computing

Loick clinched the Best Project award for his work at the STePS student project showcase at the School of Computing, NUS, on April 16, 2025.

Loick’s power management system at the student project showcase STePS on April 16, 2025, School of Computing,  NUS

We had our first flotation test  at Changi Sailing Club in early May and obtained permission from MPA to conduct endurance and system tests along the floating barrier near Tampines in the last week of May 2025.

MPA-sanctioned testing along the floating barrier near Tampines (blue circle: Changi Sailing Club)

Our endurance tests showed a maximal speed of 6.7 knots with no wind and current, reached at 1.5 kW from the batteries. The solar panels allow the boat to move all day even without using the batteries, at a speed of around 4 knots in the bright mid-day sun. The batteries alone (no sun, no wind) provide a range of 13 Nautical Miles at a cruising speed of 5.4 knots. The picture shows helmsman Abdullah Farid near Changi Sailing Club.

Helmsman Abdullah Farid solar-sailing Roti Proa, with two Optimist rigs from Changi Sailing Club

Energy output from the two solar panels in the late afternoon, enough to reach 3 knots without using the batteries

Roti Proa Data Sheet

LOA: 4.2m, beam: 2.5m

Displacement with solar panels, batteries and motor, without helmsman: 250 kg

Rig: two Optimist masts and sails

Motor: electric outboard (Torqeedo Cruise 2.0)  2 kW

Batteries: two LiFePO4 batteries (Manly) with 24 V and 50Ah each

Solar panels: two 24 V monocrystalline panels (Trina Vertex) 415 W each

Cruising speed at 1 kW (no wind): 5.4 knots

Maximal speed, reached at 1.5 kW (no wind): 6.7 knots

Battery range (no wind, no sun) at 5.4 knots: 13 NM

Acknowledgments

We thank our project sponsors:

  • Maybank Green Fund (through NUS Office of Student Affairs) for funding all materials and consumables for building the hulls
  • Rezeca Renewables for contributing the two solar panels
  • Ascent Movers for transporting the solar panels to Changi Sailing Club
  • Changi Sailing Club for providing the safety boat and crew, the Optimist rigs and space for boat assembly

What Next?

We hope to double this design and build an 8.4 m solar proa, following the same principles. We think we can achieve a speed of more than 10 knots and a battery range of 20 NM (no wind, no sun). The boat will have two small cabins for voyages of a few days with two or three sailors. With an electric water maker on board, such a solar proa could go a long way without any fuel, even in the doldrums!

Let me know if you want to get involved!

CSC x Rainbow Centre Joy Sail 16 Nov 2024

/in , , , /by

We’ve returned for another session of sailing with our friends from Rainbow Centre!

Changi Sailing Club has been in collaboration with Rainbow Centre Singapore since 2016 to provide meaningful sailing experiences for students and caregivers, with the support of our Members and their sailboats.

The Rainbow Centre is a social service organisation in Singapore. It operates three special education schools Margaret Drive School, Yishun Park School and a third one at Woodlands, for infants, children and youths with special needs like autism, intellectual disability, developmental delay, and multiple disabilities.  Learn more about Rainbow Centre here: https://rainbowcentre.org.sg/

Our last session was in June 2024, where we had some wet weather and enthusiastic participants! In this most recent edition, we had a total of 9 boats supporting the event, hosting a group of 35 students and caregivers. The day was fortunately blessed with clear skies and a light breeze. Despite a minor hiccup at the end of the sailing experience resulting in very hungry participants 🤣, it was a most enjoyable and memorable experience for sailors, students and their caregivers. It was heartwarming to hear of how being on water had a calming and positive effect on some of the students, and also to witness students and caregivers having the opportunity to helm a sailing yacht!

Big thanks to the following skippers and yachts for taking the time off on a saturday morning to provide a meaningful experience for our friends from Rainbow Centre:

  1. En Dian (Kok Wah)
  2. Birregurra (Basil)
  3. Southern Light (James)
  4. Waka Tere (Kurt)
  5. Ikaroa (Christian)
  6. Dot Dot Dot (David)
  7. Firefly (Stefan)
  8. Jock (Luke)
  9. Calyndrix (Russel)

We’d also like to acknowledge and thank Aunty Sharifah and her team of teachers/facilitators for their dedication to special education! We look forward to organising the next one in 2025.

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons
Load more

CSC Masters at ILCA 6 Clinic : Building Skills and Camaraderie

/in , , , , , /by

Article by: Rohit Behl

At the end of October 2024, Royal Varuna Yacht Club (RVYC) in Pattaya hosted an intense four-day ILCA 6 clinic, designed to bring together master-level sailors for focused training.

Participants included ILCA Masters racers Rohit Behl and Cameron Hunter from Changi Sailing Club (CSC), alongside fellow sailors from Constant Wind-SG+SAFYC.

The clinic was led by experienced Thai coach Veerasit Puangnak, known as “Lim,” who represented Thailand in Laser class at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Coach Lim focused on enhancing the sailors’ technique, strategy, and race preparation specifically for ILCA (International Laser Class Association) dinghy racing.

With only 12 participants, the camp provided personalized attention, making it a valuable experience for all involved.

RVYC, a club renowned for fostering international sailing partnerships, has a formal reciprocal relationship with CSC.

This collaboration promotes skill development and encourages cross-club participation in various dinghy events.

The synergy between RVYC and CSC has created a robust platform for racers from both clubs to excel in both optimist and ILCA class racing, the most competitive dinghy categories worldwide.

This clinic reflects RVYC’s commitment to advancing dinghy-racing excellence in Asia-Pacific, providing opportunities for partner clubs, including CSC, to participate in high-caliber training and international competitions.

—

Learnings from the ILCA Clinic

  • Zones in ILCA Dinghy Racing (Upwind Strategy)

Navigating upwind in ILCA dinghy racing involves distinct zones, each with its own focus:

   -Zone 1:  Right after the start line, the goal is a strong, clean start and optimal positioning in the first few seconds to avoid being blocked by competitors and to get clean wind.

   – Zone 2: Known as the “control zone,” where tactics like “tight cover” and “loose cover” are used:

     Tight Cover:  Sailing close to and directly upwind of a competitor to block their wind.

      – Loose Cover:  Staying upwind but farther away, controlling competitors while maintaining course and speed.

   – Zone 3:  final part of the upwind leg focuses on positioning for the next leg. This includes preparing for mark rounding and anticipating wind shifts to approach the lay line efficiently.

 

  • Starting Techniques in Waves, Chop, and Swell

   – Balance and Boat Trim:  Adjust body position continuously to prevent the bow from dipping into waves, which can slow the boat or cause instability.

   – Timing the Start: Account for waves that may lift or push the boat, affecting acceleration. Aim to cross the start line at full speed.

 

  • Holding Position and Accelerating off the Start Line

   – Holding Position:  “Park” the boat , with minimal drift by balancing sail trim and steering. Backwind the mainsail to hold position.

   – Acceleration Timing: As the countdown nears zero, trim the sail and shift body weight to generate forward momentum for a powerful, on-time start.

 

  • “Coffin Corner” – The Port End of the Start Line –  High-Risk, High-Reward: Starting here offers advantage but is risky due to crowding and possible penalties. Dubbed “coffin corner,” it requires precise timing and skill.

“Go Early, Go Ugly”  – This phrase underscores the importance of securing position and speed over perfect technique, especially on a crowded start line. In challenging conditions, a solid start—albeit imperfect—is often better than waiting for a flawless opportunity and falling behind.

 

Coach Lim’s Five Essentials for Success

  1.    – Constant Sail Trim
  2.    – Boat Trim
  3.    – Boat Balance
  4.    – Daggerboard Settings
  5.    – Course Made Good

Coach Lim emphasized using the kicker or vang and the differences in settings between ILCA 7 and ILCA 6, highlighting the nuanced adjustments needed for competitive performance.

Overall, this clinic was a rewarding experience filled with learnings and camaraderie with RVYC’s members. The club’s outstanding food menu and well stocked bar also added to the enjoyment.

We stayed on-site at RVYC in their spacious family rooms and feasted on huge breakfasts each morning before we launched for training. 

We’re looking forward to returning to Pattaya in 2025, with imminent plans to perhaps bring CSC’s youth squadron’s ILCA team to benefit from RVYC’s excellent training environment.

 

 

CSC x Rainbow Centre Joy Sail 1 June 2024

/in , , , /by

After a long break, CSC is extremely excited to once again host students and caregivers from Rainbow Centre Yishun Park School for a meaningful time sailing in the beautiful Johor Straits. Although the morning was scattered with incessant rain, it was nevertheless a successful outing – providing new experiences and opportunities for the 48 students, families and facilitators.

Rainbow Centre: Empowered, Included, Thriving

The Centre regularly work with partners (such as us!) to create opportunities for persons with disabilities to make the most of their abilities and participate meaningfully in society. Through practical education, meaningful support and effective training programmes, Rainbow Centre strives to increase the quality of life for persons with autism and their families.

Despite the really wet weather, the Captains and crew were unperturbed, bringing the sunshine with them onto their boats. Thankfully amidst the rain the session was also blessed with a pleasant breeze. Big thank you to the following boats and skippers for supporting this meaningful sailing event:

  1. Birregurra / Basil
  2. Majabelle / Soo Chong
  3. Skybird / Edwin
  4. Sapphire Star / Simon 
  5. JACKS / Andrew
  6. Nevis / Stuart
  7. Kaatabuggi / Joseph
  8. Firefly / Stefan
  9. Sirius Swift / Eugene
  10. Miss Visayan / Gary
  11. SoLuna / Roy
  12. Phoenix / Freddy
  13. Dot Dot Dot / David

We cannot forget the amazing Aunty Sharifah (teacher in-charge) for successfully organizing this every year, providing precious opportunities for our beneficiaries. On water and on the pontoons, our ever-reliable operations crew must also be appreciated for their hard work in ensuring the smooth conduct of this year’s Joy Sail.

We look forward to our next collaboration. Until then, stay safe and keep sailing!

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

No more posts