- 50 for the 50th -

This is the 50th year of the race - 50 boats will make the 193 nm journey north from Ilwaco, WA to Victoria, BC.

Registration opens October 1, 2025 and will be capped at 50 registrants!

Welcome new and returning Pacific NW Offshore Racers! Registration opens October 1, 2025 - if you are new to the race or curious about how to get started, check out the Race Information page to review all documents for the 2025 race. The 2026 NOR and information will be available prior to the October registration. Make your plans now to be part of this historic once-in-a-lifetime race.

Corinthian Yacht Club of Portland (the founding club), Portland Yacht Club (the new race organizers), and our title sponsor, Schooner Creek Boat Works, welcome the opportunity for 50 boats to experience and celebrate an extraordinary offshore racing event that has been 50 years in the making.

This race offers:

• Two classes: Racing & Cruising

• Two experiences: The open Pacific Ocean and the challenging Strait of Juan de Fuca

• Two countries: The United States and Canada. 

The Pacific NW Offshore race hits a sweet spot for yacht racers. It is a true offshore experience that starts in our host town- the coastal fishing community of Ilwaco, WA (located at the mouth of the Columbia River) - and finishes in the historic heart of Victoria, BC.

You will start at Buoy 2 (just outside the legendary Columbia River Bar) and navigate north along Washington’s Pacific coastline, round Cape Flattery to enter the Strait of Juan de Fuca, then blast down the Strait toward Race Passage to finish just outside the entrance to Victoria Harbour.

In this 50th year of the race, we welcome boats to create history and then celebrate their success with awards and a barbecue sponsored by Goslings Rum (can we offer you a Dark ‘n’ Stormy?) at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club. Boats choose to participate in the PNWO not only due to its offshore racing challenge, but also because it provides racers with a shakedown experience in preparation for the Swiftsure race which follows on Memorial Day weekend a week later.

The race continues to be a great way to qualify for the Pacific Cup, Vic-Maui, Transpac, and other races and to get your boat north for sailing events and/or summer cruising.

If you need more information beyond what is on the Race Information page or would like one of the organizers to contact you directly to answer your questions, please reach out to race.captain@cycportland.org.

Here’s to a fantastic and safe race. See you in Ilwaco!

Would you like to Help?

Become a Sponsor?

Welcome back Schooner Creek Boat Works for their eighth year as our Title Sponsor!

New for 2025! Welcome to our Platinum Sponsor Goslings Rum!

Thank you to all our 2024 & 2025 Gold Sponsors (contact us if interested in sponsoring!)