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About Us

Welcome to Next Level Sailing — located in San Diego, California.

Founded 2003

In 2003, long-time San Diego Yacht Club member, Troy Sears and his business partners purchased two International America’s Cup Class (IACC) racing yachts from legendary America’s Cup Skipper, Dennis Conner.

The two competition-tested yachts, Stars & Stripes / USA 34, and Abracadabra / USA 54, were moved from America’s Cup Harbor to the Broadway Pier, under the flag of a new sailing venture, Next Level Sailing.

Next Level Sailing gained prominence as the only venue in the Western Hemisphere where the general public could experience the thrill of hands-on sailing aboard real IACC racing yachts.

Racing yachts
The yacht America

2006: The America

In 2006, Next Level Sailing acquired the historic 139-foot yacht America and added her to the fleet. San Diego is one of the best places on the planet to see whales, so join us on the America to witness this firsthand! If you are a local corporate group or visiting for conventions and meetings we can provide the ultimate group experiences for up to 77 guests.

Racing yachts

Founded 2003

In 2003, long-time San Diego Yacht Club member, Troy Sears and his business partners purchased two International America’s Cup Class (IACC) racing yachts from legendary America’s Cup Skipper, Dennis Conner.

The two competition-tested yachts, Stars & Stripes / USA 34, and Abracadabra / USA 54, were moved from America’s Cup Harbor to the Broadway Pier, under the flag of a new sailing venture, Next Level Sailing.

Next Level Sailing gained prominence as the only venue in the Western Hemisphere where the general public could experience the thrill of hands-on sailing aboard real IACC racing yachts.

 

The yacht America

2006: The America

In 2006, Next Level Sailing acquired the historic 139-foot yacht America and added her to the fleet. San Diego is one of the best places on the planet to see whales, so join us on the America to witness this firsthand! If you are a local corporate group or visiting for conventions and meetings we can provide the ultimate group experiences for up to 77 guests.

Our Crew Is Awesome

Get to Know Us

Next Level Sailing prides itself in having a long-standing crew of young and talented sailors. Even our ‘back-up’ crew members have been sailing on the America for an average of eight years with the core crew members with us an average four years. Qualified in First Aid and other Coast Guard required credentials, each of our crew members have some key roles in addition to their all-round charm and local knowledge.

Owner and operator Captain Troy has logged over 200,000 miles aboard the yacht America. He is a walking encyclopedia of all things America’s Cup and a wealth of knowledge about San Diego’s Navy presence and local history. He was second in charge of the 1995 America’s Cup in San Diego and at the forefront of all the current America’s Cup activities.

 

Children being taught a lesson about whales

Our Captain

Troy Sears

Troy Sears

Owner/Captain

Captain Troy Sears started sailing at just nine years old right here in San Diego. He bought his first boat using the money he earned as a newspaper boy in San Diego. Over the years, he has continued his passion for sailing by sharing it with others. With over 8,000 hours on the water, he has racked up incredible experiences sailing to different destinations all over the world. From San Diego to the Panama Canal, and then to Maine and back to San Diego, Captain Troy has sailed quite the distance aboard the yacht America, teaching people about the history of the America’s Cup. Not only does he sail for leisure and education, he also sails for speed. The yacht America is often seen in the America’s Schooner Cup where he has led her to first place in 2022 and 2020. In 2016, he captained the America during the Newport to Bermuda race and the yacht America placed second in her class. Be sure to ask him any questions during your trips aboard the yacht America. He is truly a wealth of knowledge and fascinating stories.