Sponsors & Partners

We’re proud to have the support of our sponsors and technical partners.

Shipyard Brewing is the title sponsor & namesake of the Open 50 [formerly Sparrow]. Shipyard Brewing Company is a family-owned independent craft brewing company based in Portland, Maine that was also founded in 1994. Its original brewery was located in Kennebunk, Maine on the very site where some of Maine’s early tall ships were built and set sail across the globe. Today in New England, Shipyard may be best known for their Fall seasonal beer, Pumpkinhead, but globally, Shipyard’s American Pale Ale is now one of the best selling American craft brands in the UK. Shipyard Brewing is a global brand rooted in a connection to the sea, guided by an ethos to “Discover More” and a commitment to connecting people through whatever journey they are on.

US Patriot Sailing is a 501c3 non-profit based in the Chesapeake Bay, whose mission is to support our nation’s veterans through sailing. As a combat-wounded Iraq war veteran himself, Ronnie knows firsthand the positive benefits that sailing can provide and has worked at introducing veterans to sailing for more than a decade. Through camaraderie with others, uplifting experiences and achieving lofty goals, sailing can serve to inspire veterans and aid in their continual and ongoing healing. Ronnie is proud to partner with US Patriot Sailing and work with them on this campaign, and to benefit other veterans through inspiration, camaraderie and Open 50 sailing experiences. This strategic partnership also gives Ronnie a charitable and tax-deductible avenue for fundraising, which is critical to a campaign of this nature.  

Ronstan is a global leader in sailboat hardware, rigging components, sailing wear and accessories. Among other things, Ronstan sheet bags and other sailing accessories are being outfitted on Sparrow to allow the boat to be more organized and efficient while sailing. Ronstan also owns Andersen winches, which are the type of winches that are on Sparrow. Ronnie Simpson Racing is proud to partner with Ronstan on multiple areas of the boat. 

Ronnie Simpson Racing is proud to be partnered with Facnor furlers for this racing campaign. Facnor has been an innovator in the sail furling game for more than four decades, and their furlers are renowned for performance and quality. Along with their sister-company ProFurl, Facnor and ProFurl are the furler of choice for a majority of the IMOCA 60 fleet. Their track record in the Vendée Globe and their extesnive experience and resources have made them an obvious choice of companies to partner with for furling support. 

Pelagic Autopilots are the official back-up autopilot for Ronnie Simpson Racing in the Global Solo Challenge. Developed by Singlehanded Transpac veteran Brian Boschma and distributed by legandary windvane manufacturer Scanmar International, the Pelagic autopilot system has established itself as a simple, affordable, reliable and effective self-steering system that will add much needed redundancy to Ronnie’s primary autopilot system in the Global Solo Challenge. Ronnie has now installed a Pelagic system on his last three ocean-going sailboats and swears by their products.

Hawaii Yacht Sales is the #1 yacht brokerage in the state of Hawaii and is owned and operated by some of Ronnie’s closest friends from the Hawaii sailing scene. Professional sailor and broker Sean Doyle was with Ronnie on day 1 of sea trials and has been an invaluable resource to Ronnie as he handled paperwork to acquire Sparrow, and also from a technical, performance and fundraising standpoint. We are proud to have Hawaii Yacht Sales’ support throughout this campaign. 

Ocean Planet Energy, Inc. is a Maine based business that is a global leader in sailboat charging systems. Founded and operated by Bruch Schwab – the first American to ever complete the legendary Vendée Globe race – Ocean Planet Energy has not only helped equip Ronnie’s boat with charging system equipment, but also provided immense techincal knowledge and resources in getting that system up and running. Shipyard Brewing has benefitted from new Lithium batteries, battery management, charge controllers, alternator and regulator from OPE, and that charging system re-fit will continue in Spain.