In 1982, Roger Dilley, from what was then called the Auckland Multihull Sailing Association, devised what he termed a “drag race” from Auckland to Russell for multihull and keeler boats.
It was based on the power boat races dating back to the 1920s and run over the same course, which was non-stop to the “bar in Russell”. The intention was to have fun. He termed it the Coastal Classic and the name has stuck ever since.
Twelve skippers and crews took up the challenge. The fleet was divided into one multihull division and several monohulls. There wasn’t a handicap and boats ranged from Peter Williams’ 62ft Fidelis to Alex and Matthew Flynn’s 24ft trimaran Gulf Chariot.
The race was held in light conditions but with winds freshening once out of the inner harbour.
Krisis, skippered by Duncan (Cookie) Stuart, was the first boat into Russell and his record of 18 hours was not broken for four years. Andrew Wallace on his Farr 11.6 keeler Hawkeye waved the flag for the monohulls by finishing a creditable 50 minutes behind the first two speedy multihulls.
Fast forward 44 years and the latest edition of what is now termed the PIC Coastal Classic (thanks to sponsors) gets underway on October 23. Race clinics are being conducted before the event covering personal safety, boat preparation, forecast and tactics.
The service provides step-by-step personal support throughout the entire entry and preparation process, helping remove many of the barriers that can stop sailors from taking part.
There are two notable records for overall line honours over the years.
The monohull record was held by Alfa Romeo, owned and skippered by Sydney-based Kiwi car dealer Neville Crichton, in a time of 6 hours, 43 minutes, 32 seconds in 2009. He held that record for some years before it was beaten in 2019.
The multihull Beau Gest, owned by Hong Kong businessman Karl C. Kwok, captured the line honours record in a time of 5 hours, 0 minutes, 37 seconds.
The last two races (in 2024 and 2025) turned into ones that required patience and endurance.
In 2024, the first finishers took more than 14 hours to complete the course, while the last boats took over 24 hours, making it one of the longer in the race’s recent history.
Just 39 of 67 starters completed the 119-nautical mile course as fresh northerly winds and steep seas created a demanding test. Conditions built through the race, with many crews forced to retire as the sea state increased.
The 18m trimaran Romanza claimed line honours and was later awarded overall honours after receiving redress for assisting a damaged competitor.
Last year’s race was one that required patience. In light conditions, crews were forced to work every shift and pressure line through the night as the fleet stretched north in difficult conditions.
Lucky ultimately claimed line honours in 17 hours and 22 minutes, with Callisto and Mayhem completing the podium after a closely fought race.
The 2026 fleet, made up of boats of all sizes and lengths, will head north, past Rangitoto Island, Kawau Island, Bream Bay and Cape Brett.
While some of the fleet will be chasing line honours, others will be focused on handicap results, but will be trying to beat that one boat they insist they’re “not really racing”.
In the battle for the next positions, Another Duchess narrowly edged out Wired by just 59 seconds in a tight finish for fourth place. It was a race that rewarded patience, consistency and clear decision-making over outright speed.
This year 100 boats have entered – 84 monohulls, 10 multihulls and six cruising boats.
New Zealand Multihull Yacht Club commodore Adrian Percival says the Coastal has a way of bringing together a huge cross-section of the sailing community.
“That’s what makes the Coastal such a great race: you’ve got the really quick boats chasing line honours, cruising boats enjoying the journey, and everything in between.
“Everyone has their own race within the race, but we’re all heading to the same place.
“I’m actually one of those five heading north in cruising mode. This is the first time I will have done the Coastal in this division so the slushie machine is coming north too.”