Every year the world’s most spectacular superyachts gather in Gustavia’s harbor for the prestigious St. Barths Bucket.
This three-day invitational regatta features top-notch racing and exclusive shore side social events, all in a breathtaking Caribbean setting.
Over the years, many of the world’s most notable and accomplished sailors have participated in the racing. Nonetheless, as the Bucket Regatta has evolved, the organizers have kept a tight focus on maintaining the original camaraderie and non-commercial spirit of the event. It was, and still is, an event conceived and hosted purely for the pleasure and enjoyment of the sailing superyacht owner.
There is no other regatta of magnitude on the superyacht racing circuit with the same goals, and the event organizers consider themselves the stewards of a most worthwhile tradition.
2024 highlights include:
Unparalleled ORCsy class racing in the popular pursuit racing format will provide yacht owners with exciting, close competition against yachts with similar sailing characteristics.
The Corinthian Spirit Class racing, which featured 12 entries last year, will return to its roots and once again be a non-spinnaker competition.
Based on strong early interest, the 90-foot class is expected to make a return to St Barths. The Bucket Stewards will accept the first six entries (criteria to be posted with the NOR).
A 100-foot Racing Class will be offered for the first time. This will be for performance-oriented sloops over 100’ LOA and that do not fit the SYRA’s ‘cruising superyacht’ criteria. Please contact the organizer for further details.
Dock space in Gustavia will be on a first come basis. In response to feedback from our entrants, there will not be a ‘Yacht Hop’ in 2024. However, there will be a fun-themed dockside party at the Capitainerie on Saturday evening.
The official Bucket social schedule will again be unrivaled, providing yacht owners and their guests with a unique, fun filled experience on the water and shoreside as well.
Building on 2023 and in the spirit of being inclusive, social (non-racing) entrants will again be welcome to the Bucket. Sailing or motor yachts wishing to participate in the Bucket as non-racing social entries are encouraged to request an invitation to the 2024 edition. A limited number of non-racing entry applications will be accepted. Details are posted (pdf).
The first Bucket Regatta was organized in Nantucket, Massachusetts in August of 1986. At a birthday celebration organized by Nelson Doubleday, several yacht owners participated in a spirited discussion about optimal yacht design and individual sailing prowess. The following day, with only a night of preparation, seven sailing superyachts raced on a hastily prepared 15-mile course on Nantucket Sound. The stated prize of this impromptu competition was simply to attain undisputed superyacht sailing bragging rights for the year. They soon learned, however, that the pleasure and enjoyment of a camaraderie formed at sea between like-minded individuals was the greatest prize of all. As a result, a nearby spare bucket was deemed sufficient to commemorate the racing accomplishment and the Bucket Regatta was born.
For over 35 years since 1986, the world’s premier superyacht sailing vessels, owners, crew, and guests have reunited with the same intention.
Between 1986 and 2001, the Nantucket Bucket flourished. The summer event then shifted to Newport, Rhode Island where the event was well hosted at the Newport Shipyard from 2002 to 2014.
In 1995, the beautiful French island of St Barths hosted its first Bucket Regatta and it has done so in March every year since then. Although the size of the yachts and competing fleet has grown significantly, the spirit of the event has remained unchanged. In recent years, 40 or more superyachts have gathered to compete for the Bucket in glamorous St Barths.
For more information on the 2024 St Barth's Bucket, click here: www.stbarthsbucket.com