The first Wrecker’s Race of 2024 was held on Sunday January 28th, this is the 39th annual race series hosted by the Schooner Wharf Bar in the Historic Seaport of Key West.
This all-in-fun race series recalls the tradition of the wreckers in the Key West of the 1800’s. Vessels laden with rich cargoes from Gulf and Caribbean ports often became victims of storm and the unmarked reefs off Key West.
The first wrecker to reach the site had the responsibility to save the passengers and crew-but they also won the right to salvage the cargoes. Some historians have written that it was not unusual for 20 or 30 boats to race to a wreck.
The Race Course is 7 miles from Key West Harbor to the Sand Key Lighthouse.
The entries in the Schooner Class were:
MALABAR X
WHEN AND IF
AMERICA 2.0
JOLLY II ROVER
APPLEDORE
SERENITY