What Sailing Trip Did Bill and Mary Take on Their Valiant 50, Raptor Dance?

Updated

Bill and Mary sailed their Valiant 50, Raptor Dance, out of the Golden Gate just four days after Bill's retirement in 2004 and returned to San Francisco Bay in late 2010, logging over 25,000 miles in just under seven years. The trip combined a season in Mexico, a year cruising British Columbia and Washington, and more than five additional years along Mexico's Pacific coast before the voyage home.

The Route, in Order

According to the site's own account, the voyage unfolded in three main legs:

  1. Departure from San Francisco. They left through the Golden Gate four days after Bill retired in 2004, turned left (south), and headed for Mexico.
  2. First Mexican season. They cruised Mexico for a season.
  3. North to British Columbia and Washington. They sailed up the coast and cruised that region for a year.
  4. Return to Mexico. They sailed back down and cruised another 5+ years on Mexico's Pacific Coast, from the Sea of Cortés down to Zihuatanejo.
  5. Homeward. They returned to San Francisco Bay in late 2010.

Key Facts at a Glance

Detail What the site says
Boat Valiant 50 named Raptor Dance
Departure Golden Gate, 4 days after Bill's 2004 retirement
Regions cruised Mexico; British Columbia and Washington; Mexico's Pacific Coast (Sea of Cortés to Zihuatanejo)
Total distance Over 25,000 miles
Total duration Just under 7 years
Return San Francisco Bay, late 2010

Why the Trip Is Worth Understanding

The itinerary is a useful reference point for anyone thinking about a multi-year cruise: it shows a common pattern of starting close to home (Mexico), pushing north for a season, then settling into a longer, slower exploration of one coastline rather than constantly moving. The roughly 25,000 miles over under seven years works out to a moderate pace, consistent with the site's emphasis on cruising rather than passage-making.

Where to See More

  • Curated photos: the site points to Flickr at https://www.flickr.com/photos/mack-finkelstein/
  • Legacy site (pre-2009): http://pre-2009.williamfinkelstein.com — the site itself warns that links may be broken, photos are low resolution, and the page is not SSL protected.
  • Bill's 2024 recognition: the site also links to Bill's presentation at the Chaffey High School Alumni Association's 2024 Alumni of the Year ceremony, where he was named "2024 Tiger of the Year."

The site notes that after the voyage the couple shifted to land and cruise-ship travel, primarily on Celebrity and Oceania, traveling up to seven months a year before settling into more time at home.