Will Paxtaon is a 3rd generation sailboat racer from the Bay area. His professional career started as a sailmaker at Sobstad Sails in 1995 which became Quantum Sails. Will eventually rose to be the Production manager there overseeing a 20 person staff on 2 shifts. In 2001 Will left Quantum to be a full time boat captain and rigger until the end of 2004. In 2005 Will worked for Santa Cruz sails as a sailmaker for 4 years before leaving to captain the Transpac 52 Flash. In 2013 Will retuned to Quantum Sails as a salesman where he is currently employed.
June 23, 2020 Interview:
Dec 3, 2019 Interview:
Will has had a very successful career on many types of boats winning many seasons and national titles. Here is a sample of his best offshore sailing efforts:
Hawaii race Career Victories and highlights including 17 Trips between California and Hawaii:
1998 Pac Cup aboard the Schumacher 46 Surprise as bowman / Driver.
1999 Transpac aboard the SC 70 Grand Illusion as Driver/ Trimmer- First Overall and broke Merlin’s 20yr old record.
2001 Transpac aboard the SC 70 Grand Illusion as watch captain- First in class and 3rd Overall.
2003 Transpac aboard the SC 70 Grand Illusion- First in class.
2004 Pac Cup aboard the SC 52 Winnetou as watch captain- First Overall
2004 Captained the return of the TP 52 Flash back to CA following the Vic Maui race.
2008 Pac Cup aboard the TP 52 Flash as boat captain
2008 Captained the Return of TP 52 Flash back to CA.
2009 Transpac aboard the TP 52 Flash- 2nd overall
Captained the return of TP 52 Flash back to CA.
2010 Pac Cup aboard the Farr 36 War Pony as navigator- set elapsed time record for a boat under 40’ .
2011 Transpac aboard the SC 70 Grand Illusion- First Overall
2012 Pac Cup aboard the SC 52 Medusa as watch captain- 3rd in class.
2012 Captained the return of the SC 52 Medusa back to CA.
2013 Transpac aboard the SC 70 Grand Illusion as watch captain- 3rd in class.
2014 Pac Cup aboard the SC 37 Tiburon as navigator- finished despite breaking rudder 1000 miles out.
2015 Transpac aboard the SC 70 Grand Illusion- First overall.
Other highlights-
1998 Double Handed lightship race aboard the Express 27 Motorcycle Irene- First Overall
1999 San Diego to PV race Mull 83 Sorcery as driver- First overall
1999 Doublehanded Farallones race aboard the E27 Motorcycle Irene- First Overall
2004 Singlehanded Farallones race aboard the E27 Motorcycle Irene- First Overall
2005 raced and delivered back the TP 52 Flash on the PV Race, Cabo Race, and Ensenada race as major events plus all the local races.
2005-9 aboard the SC50 Octavia as regular crew for the local season and beer can races.
2010 SF to Santa Cruz Windjammers race aboard the SC 50 Roller Coaster as tactican- First Overall
2011 Cabo San Lucas Race aboard the SC 70 Grand Illusion- First Overall
2011 Coastal Cup aboard the SC 37 Tiburon as Navigator- First overall
2015 Overall ORR Champion for Southern California as tactician aboard the SC 70 Grand Illusion
2015 Overall ORR Champion for Northern California as tactician aboard the Sydney 36 Encore.
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