Some of Key West’s biggest Blowhards raise their sheets to the wind for Schooner Wharf Bar’s legendary Wrecker’s Cup Race Series – a raucous 7-mile sail to nearby Sand Key.
The first leg of this year’s “Day of Wreckoning” is Sunday, January 31, followed by the second and third legs on Sunday, February 28 and Sunday, March 28. The series wraps up with a fourth and final leg on Sunday, April 25.
Local boats compete in five different classes (Classic, Schooner, Multi-hull, Monohull over 30′ and Monohull under 30′) and reenact a time in Key West history where wreckers raced to a disabled ship, rescued the crew, and then claimed the cargo. Of course, there is nothing to rescue at Sand Key except bruised egos from the last race in this anything-but-serious race.
During the Post-Race Pusser’s Rum Awards Party at Schooner Wharf Bar, winners receive a bottle of Pusser’s Rum Punch and a souvenir rum mug as well as pseudo-antique Victory Trophies, Schooner Wharf BarTabs, and official Wrecker’s Race t-shirts.
If you want to be a part of the action, you can grab a ride on Classic Harbor Line’s majestic Schooner America 2.0 (305-293-7245; sail-keywest.com) or on a very cool vintage sailboat with Sunset Sail Key West (305-587-4488; sunsetsailkeywest.com). Just be sure to reserve early because both boats are very popular and always fill up fast.
Races kick off at 1 pm, but there’s a whole lot of pre-race partying at Schooner Wharf Bar at the foot of William St in Key West’s Historic Seaport. Info: 305-292-3302; schoonerwharf.com.
