CNSA remodels the ‘Nàutic Café del Mar’ to compete at the highest level

This Tuesday, March 29, the presentation of the renovated racing cruiser of the Club Nàutic Sant Antoni, the ‘Nàutic Café del Mar,’ took place at the iconic Café del Mar, on the coast of ses Variades, along with the two most important events of the year organized by the club: the International Windsurfer Ibiza Meeting, which begins next Friday, and the Ibiza Wingfoil Open, which will take place from October 3 to 5. Both events are sponsored by Café del Mar.

As explained during the presentation, the ‘Nàutic Café del Mar’ has undergone significant modifications, based on a study conducted by Galician naval engineer Javier Cela, a renowned expert in tuning boats that compete in major sailing competitions, such as the America's Cup and others. Among the most notable interventions are an increase in weight, located in the bilge, and the reduction of the draft by adjusting the keel.

This work was carried out over the winter at the Club’s boatyard, with the collaboration of Manel and Carlos Guasch from the local company Guasch Mar. The boat was recently tested in an internal Club regatta and also in the Eastern version of the Ruta de la Sal, where the vessel finished third in its category. Several adjustments remain pending ahead of the two most significant competitions its crew will face: the Palma Vela and the Copa del Rey—two regattas held in Mallorca that attract boats from multiple countries. The overhaul, which aims to position the ‘Nàutic Café del Mar’ at the highest competitive level, was made possible thanks to the support of sponsors: Café del Mar, Neobookings, Rumbo Norte, and Grupo Llorca.

During the event, the various stages of the project were reviewed. It began in 2003 with the ‘Café del Mar,’ when sailor Esteban Hontoria donated the ‘Caronte,’ a 12-meter Jeanneau Selection 37. In 2005, an opportunity arose to acquire another boat in France, a J Boats model J92S, measuring 9.30 meters, which remained active until 2015, winning the most important regattas in the Mediterranean and becoming Offshore Spanish Champion in Class III (Eastern Zone), with Juan Carlos Sanchís at the helm. From that point on, a faster sailboat was sought, an Espada 34, measuring 10.34 meters, designed by prestigious Spanish engineer Marcelino Botín, which is the current vessel sailing under the name ‘Nàutic Café del Mar,’ having been acquired with funds from CNSA and Café del Mar. This vessel has once again won the most prominent trophies in the Mediterranean region and was again Offshore Spanish Champion (Eastern Zone) in 2019. It currently sails with a crew of young ILCA class sailors from the Club, along with their coaches, Felipe Cornet and Javier Rabelo.

The event was moderated by CNSA’s sports director, Enrique Mas, with additional contributions from the Club’s commodore, Javier Planas; the captains of the ‘Nàutic Café del Mar,’ Felipe Cornet and Javier Rabelo; and, as sponsors, José María Ramón, CEO of Neobookings; Enrique Terol, CEO of Rumbo Norte; Pilar Sirvent, Ibiza delegate for Grupo Llorca; and Laurence Andrea, representative of Café del Mar. Javier Planas highlighted that “the Nàutic Café del Mar is a socially and economically sustainable project. That’s why it has endured all these years—thanks to the sponsors and the training and competitive philosophy it began with and still upholds.”