Coming off a sensational 7th edition of the Caribbean Multihull Challenge Race & Rally, the organizers are happy to announce the dates for CMC VIII, which are 28 January to 1 February 2026. Racing – including the long-distance CMC Trifecta™ for CSA 1 vessels – will continue for four days, beginning and ending in Simpson Bay. The four-day rally will see that fleet stop in Simpson and Great Bay in Dutch St Maarten, Marigot Bay in French St Martin, and another overnight in St. Barth’s.
A highlight for the cruising rally will be on Saturday, the 31st, with an all-day Great Bay event called the 2nd annual Great Bay Beach and Boardwalk Jamboree featuring ‘Stadium-Style’ Diam 24 racing in the Bay close to shoreside viewing spots. Plus, we will repeat this year’s popular beach sports competition in the Government Sports Park on the beach and the spectacular Fireworks Show to end the day.
Meanwhile at the St Maarten Yacht Club, 1600 sf the sailing school dock will be outfitted with a full tent making an event and meeting space that will hold among other things a pop-up Boat Show featuring displays from the CMC’s selected sponsors. Between the race and rally evening shoreside activities everywhere, CMC organizers will be planning eight parties – each with music, foods, and beverages! All of this is planned with a new entry fee structure lower than CMC VII’s in 2025!
Multihulls entering and paying before 1 December 2025 (now $8.00/ft) will receive a substantial 33% discount from the 2025 cost of $12.00 per foot. For entrance after 1 December up to Registration Day on the 28th of January, the 2026 fee will be only $12.00/ft (a 20% discount from 2025). As always, all proceeds of the CMC go directly to the not-for-profit SMYC to cover the equipment and costs of its 32 year-old award-winning youth sailing program
