Four days of multihull sailing around Sint Maarten, a rally for cruising crews, and evenings at the Sint Maarten Yacht Club: the Caribbean Multihull Challenge (CMC) has opened registration for 2027. Organizers set the dates at February 4-7, 2027 for this ninth edition, based in Simpson Bay.
For travelers already on island or planning an early-February stay, the draw goes beyond the race fleet. CMC brings performance catamarans and trimarans, a Diam 24 one-design class, and now beach cats (F18 and Hobie). Alongside the racing, a rally takes cruising crews to several bays around the island, with social evenings back at the club.
What is confirmed for 2027
- Dates: February 4-7, 2027 (9th edition)
- Organizer: Sint Maarten Yacht Club (SMYC), 90 Welfare Road, Simpson Bay
- Registration open; Notice of Race available on Yacht Scoring
- Racing: CSA and MOCRA classes, Diam 24 one-design, F18 and Hobie now welcome
- CMC Rally in parallel (time trials, navigators' challenges, club evenings)
- Caribbean Sailing Association Budget Marine Windies Multihull Trophy presented during the event
Racing: more classes, more podium chances
The format stays focused on multihulls. Fleets race under CSA and MOCRA ratings, with a dedicated Diam 24 class. For 2027, organizers also welcome one-design beach cats, including F18s and Hobies. After the Line Honors award debuted in 2026, catamarans and trimarans that share the same courses and classes can earn their own 1st, 2nd and 3rd place trophies based on entry numbers: more podium paths for different hull architectures.
Petro Jonker, chair of the CMC Race and Rally Steering Committee, frames this as a steady evolution: a wider invitation to beach cats, and separate catamaran / trimaran prizegiving within the same classes. From 2026, organizers highlight winners including the Nigel Irens 63 trimaran Sophia (CSA 1), Rapido 40 Spike (CSA 2) and Diam 24 Fastnet in the one-design class.
The rally: bays, time trials and club nights
CMC is not only for hardcore racers. The CMC Rally returns alongside the racing: sailing time trials, navigators' challenges, and social time each evening from the Sint Maarten Yacht Club. Announced destinations include Friar's Bay, Orient Bay, Baie Rouge and Mullet Bay. Friday late afternoon brings a sporty, informal gathering on Kim Sha Beach, a short walk from the club, mixing racers and rally crews.
For traveling spectators, the simplest onshore hub remains SMYC in Simpson Bay: regatta base, evening venue, and the easiest place to follow the day's plan. Racing unfolds around the island; rally destinations also offer shore-side views for anyone following the program without stepping aboard a competitor.
Windies Trophy and next steps
After the 2026 Caribbean racing season, the Caribbean Sailing Association's Budget Marine Windies Multihull Trophy will be presented at CMC 2027. Organizers congratulate Sophia (60 Feet and Over) and Leopard 50 La Novia (Under 60 Feet). Crews register and find the Notice of Race through Yacht Scoring; the official CMC site also centralizes information. For travelers: hold February 4-7, plan on Simpson Bay for the club, and watch the rally schedule if the goal is to see multihulls in several bays around the island.
View the Caribbean Multihull Challenge 2027 event page for dates, the programme and practical information.