Throughout it's history, this epic race has seen its highs, lows, drama & excitement - even a few name changes.
Through it all, a worldwide community of loyal followers, fans and sailors have kept it alive. This dedicated page has been created with them in mind - to honor not only those who are mentioned, but all who took part.
Through countless hours of research, the information presented has been thoroughly vetted to the best of our ability and resources.
We thank you - everyone - for being a part of the ongoing journey.....
Fair Winds, Fast Sailing - Your Worrell 1000 Team
| Year | # of Entrants | Boat Type(s) Allowed | Winner(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Just 2 - the result of a bar bet! | Hobie 16 | Michael Worrell & crewman Steve McGarrett | The beginning of it all.....The brothers sailed from VA Beach to FL - Only Michael made it and it took him over 20 days. He and Steve made it to Ft. Lauderdale. |
| 1976 | 5 | Hobie 16 | Michael Worrell / Guerry Beatson | 24-hour continuous format. Called the "Worrell Bros. Coastwise Race". Only 1 boat of the 5 finish. |
| 1977 | 8 | Hobie 16 | Michael Worrell / Gene Landers / Tom Wickenhauser | 24-hour continuous format. 4 boats finished. Called the "Worrell Bros. Coastwise Race" |
| 1978 | 7 | Hobie 16 | Michael Worrell / Gene Landers / Joe E. Lungwitz | 24-hour continuous format. Called the "Worrell Bros. Coastwise Race" |
| 1979 | 9 | Hobie 16 | Team Heritage Transmission: Ron Anthony / Tom Reed / Robert Perrin | 24-hour continuous format. Shortened name to "Worrell 1000" |
| 1980 | 9 | Hobie 16 | Team Peabody's (New Zealand); Rob Perrin / Rob Jeavouns / Andy Stagg | 24-hour format: Total elapsed time for winner: 4 days, 11 hours, 49 minutes |
| 1981 | 11 | Hobie 16 | Team Australia; Brett Dryland / Don Wood / Rod Waterhouse | First time in Worrell history the race was delayed (36 hours) due to 40-knot gale force winds at the Cape. Only 7 boats finish. |
| 1982 | 10 | Hobie 16 | Team USA: Carlton Tucker / Hobie Alter Jr. / Miles Wood | "Pit Stop" record of 8 seconds set by Team Tidewater @Cape Hatteras checkpoint |
| 1983 | 11 | Hobie 16 | Team Australia; Brett Dryland / Rod Waterhouse | 1st year with overnight stops format. Last year that Ron Anthony raced - He passed away July of that year |
| 1984 | 10 | Hobie 16 | Team Rudee's; Dean Froome / Enrique Figueroa | The year one of the grounds crew lost their jeep when it was swept out to sea |
| 1985 | 11 | Switched to 20' & Under Rule | Team Sandwich Island: Randy Smyth / Jay Glaser | 1st year open to custom & stock boats 20' length x 8' beam. The fleet included a modified Hobie 18, Nacra 5.8's, G-Cat 5.7's, Supercat 19's & 19' Stampede |
| 1986 | 5 | 20' & Under Rule | Team Dominos Pizza; Greg Richardson / Roy Seaman | Only 3 boats finish; National Geographic filmed a documentary that aired on the (then) Turner Network (National Geographic Explorer) |
| 1987 | 6 | 20' & Under Rule | Team Hall's Auto World; Roy Seaman / Al Etheridge | Team Graphiti (Wayne Mooneyham & Michael Bender) rescued by Coast Guard after ramming the Oregon Inlet Bridge destroying their boat. Only 5 boats finish. |
| 1988 | 13 | Updated to 20' Only Rule - TWO Classes allowed:; Open & Modified Production | Open Class - Team Australia; Ian Bashford / Rod Waterhouse Modified Production Class - Team Bliss; Rick Bliss / Steve Tartaglino | Last leg cancelled, Australia declared the winner by the OA of that time. Rick Bliss/Steve Tartagliano continued to sail to VA Beach. Called the "WORLD 1000" |
| 1989 | 11 | 20' Only Rule | Team Super Lube; Randy Smyth / Kevin Burnham | 2nd, Australia; 3rd, Russia; 4th, Loctite (Onsgard/Casto); 5th, Tartaglino/Najmy - Only 5 finishers. Called the "WORLD 1000" |
| 1990 - 1996 | NO RACES | - | - | - |
| 1997 | 13 | 20' Only Rule | Team Chick's Beach; Randy Smyth / Jason Sneed | It's return hailed as a "Production Class Event" Only 6 boats finish. |
| 1998 | 21 | 20' Only Rule | Team Chick's Beach; Randy Smyth / Jason Sneed | Course Record Set: 75:17, stood until 2002 Only 7 boats finish |
| 1999 | 13 | 20' Only Rule | Team Chick's Beach; Randy Smyth / Keith Notary | Randy wins despite an infected rope burn on his right leg |
| 2000 | 19 | Nacra Inter 20 | Team Blockade Runner; Randy Smyth / Matt Struble | 15 of the 19 teams finish |
| 2001 | 21 | Nacra Inter 20 | Alexander's on the Bay; Brian Lambert / Jamie Livingston | First time an all female team participated: Katie Petitbone & Eleanor Hay. 16 of 21 teams finish |
| 2002 | 25 | Nacra Inter 20 | Alexander's on the Bay; Brian Lambert / Jamie Livingston | Course Record Set: 71:32:55 - Still Stands |
| 2003 - 2018 | NO RACES | - | - | - |
| 2019 | 3 | Carbon 20 / F18 | Team Australia; Rod Waterhouse / Beau White | Dubbed the "Worrell 1000 Reunion Race" |
| 2022 (no event in 2020 or 2021) | 13 | F18 | Team Australia; Rod Waterhouse & Chris Way | 12 of 13 teams finish; Cocoa to Daytona leg had to be cancelled due to logistics issues. |
| 2024 Worrell Brothers 50th Anniversary - "Celebrating the Spark that lit the Flame" | F18 |