R2AK: ASA 103

Piece of Ship: A $1,000 Dream Bound for Alaska

From the ASA 103 team:

Some Race to Alaska campaigns begin with deep pockets and cutting-edge boats. Ours began with a trade for a tired old 1977 Santana 20 and a healthy disregard for common sense.

Our three-person crew—Ben DeLisa, Jean Champagne, and Jay Bruno—first met in ASA 103 at the Seattle Sailing Club. The friendships forged in that class proved durable enough that when it came time to name our Race to Alaska team, we simply adopted the name of the course that brought us together.

The boat’s story began at the 2024 Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival, where Jay and Jean stumbled across a man selling a neglected Santana 20 for $1,000. Rather than hand over cash, a trade was struck involving Jay’s Laser dinghy. The boat came home with us and quickly earned the name Piece of Ship—a reflection of its condition more than its potential.

What followed was far more than a simple refit. We replaced both bulkheads, installed new standing rigging, fitted fresh sails, and tackled a seemingly endless list of repairs. Countless evenings and weekends disappeared into the project. There was plenty of blood, sweat, frustration, and eventually pride as the little Santana slowly transformed from a questionable bargain into a capable expedition boat.

The boat itself has an impressive pedigree. Piece of Ship completed the Race to Alaska in 2022, though not without drama. Early in that race, the deck began separating from the hull, requiring an emergency repair before the adventure could continue. The boat survived, and so did its reputation.

One of our greatest strengths as a team is the variety of backgrounds and skills we bring aboard. Over years of sailing together throughout Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands, we’ve learned how to combine those different talents into a cohesive crew. We know each other’s strengths, weaknesses, and habits—important knowledge when preparing for one of the toughest small-boat races on the continent.

Like every Race to Alaska entry, propulsion is part of the challenge. Since motors are prohibited, Piece of Ship carries a pedal drive mounted on the transom along with a pair of 11-foot oars extending from either side. When the wind disappears, the crew becomes the engine.

On paper, a 49-year-old Santana 20 named Piece of Ship may not seem like the obvious choice for a 750-mile race to Alaska. But that’s exactly what makes the story compelling. Three sailors who met in a basic sailing class, a bargain boat rescued from obscurity, and thousands of hours of determination have combined to create something far bigger than the little boat itself.

For us, the Race to Alaska isn’t just about reaching Ketchikan. It’s about proving that with friendship, persistence, and a willingness to row when necessary, even a humble Santana 20 can chase extraordinary adventures. •SCA•