Photo: Paul Koch

Rhode Island’s Paul Koch has been a lifelong sailor, but as he entered retirement he found he had a knack for boat building as well. Thanks to that newfound skill, Koch and his boat Ponyo have become valued members of the CYOA and active participants in the yearly Classic Yacht Challenge Series (CYCS).

“Ponyo is a 28-foot knockabout that took me six years to build,” said Koch. “After retiring, I added a boatshop facing the water on my property and set out to build the biggest boat possible in that space.” Koch strip planked the vessel with fiberglass sheathing and launched it out of his backyard. Now, Ponyo is a proud feature in CYOA’s “Spirit of Tradition” class.

Since the summer of 2021, Koch has been sailing Ponyo in the CYCS. “My first sail aboard her was in the Camden Classics Cup that year.” One of his favorite aspects of the series is how easy it is to get from regatta to regatta. “I have a two-axle trailer that I tow behind my Ford Ranger. When we get the boat to the yard, my sailing partner and I can have it rigged in about two hours.”

Beyond how easy it is for Koch to get his boat to the various races, he also says that the folks at each boatyard and marina are incredibly helpful when they get there. “The facilities at each regatta make it so easy to get your boat in and out of the water, and keep it there for the duration of the event.” Koch made sure to take some time before his first CYCS to map out the logistics of that first summer of racing. Now, he has connections at each stop and knows the procedures for each one like the back of his hand.

Koch built Ponyo specifically to race in regattas like those that make up CYCS. And he could not be more happy to take part in them. “It’s a bunch of friends sailing around. The competition is there but it’s more about having a nice weekend together.” Koch loves that the CYCS fleet is made up of competent, friendly sailors who share his passion for sailing in new waters with stunning vessels.

He points out that no matter what regatta you participate in, there will always be someone from the CYCS fleet and CYOA membership who is willing to help—including himself! Koch invites anyone interested in learning more about the logistics of the regattas and delivering boats to them to reach out to him so he can share his expertise.

Koch cannot wait for this year’s series and encourages more sailors and owners to join CYOA. “I don’t have enough playmates!”

Don’t put off signing up any longer! Summer is just around the corner and before we know it the 2025 CYCS will kick off in Newport, Rhode Island with the New York Yacht Club Tiedemann Regatta. Join the CYOA today to get all the information you need on the series! And stick around to stay up to date on the CYCS.