Totally Cool!

September 12 - San Francisco Bay

While it would primarily be of interest to Northern California sailors, everyone interested in wind patterns should check out the new and improved - thanks to Nick Thompson - San Francisco Bay Wind Pattern Streaklines. Until recently, it was a static representation of the winds on San Francisco Bay and Delta, but thanks to Thompson, it's now animated. As a result, in just a few seconds you can learn more about Bay winds than several years of daysails. Check it out and check it at http://sfports.wr.usgs.gov/wind/streaklines.shtml


Baja Ha-Ha Update

September 12 - Baja Ha-Ha World Headquarters

Deadline Is upon Us

Today is the deadline to get your completed entry packet into the Ha-Ha volunteer Race Committee at 21 Apollo Road, Tiburon, CA 94920. If your entry doesn't come in the mail today and you still want to join in the fun, it'll cost you double the $169 entry fee. That's, um, let's see, $338. For more details on the Ha-Ha, check out their Web site at www.baja-haha.com.

Space Available on the Mothership

The Wanderer, aka Grand Poobah, still has room for crew on 'Profligate', the 63' catamaran/race committee platform. Crew should be able-bodied, easy-going, eager to help out, and willing to pay expenses. If you're interested, email Richard.


'Profligate' sails the Bay in summer;
Mexico in the winter.
Photo Karen Ramsey

Surfin' in the Rain?

September 12 - Pacific and Atlantic Oceans

Tropical Weather

Tropical Storm Lane is blowing at 45 knots with gusts to 55, presently located well off the coast of Baja, 560 NM southwest of San Diego, at 25.6N 121.9W, and traveling NW at 10 knots toward the Central Coast of California. Lane is expected to fizzle out before reaching us, however he will be throwing some subtropical moisture our way, as well as some good surf.

In the Western Pacific, Super Typhoon Saomai is lashing Okinawa with winds of 95-115 knots and 30-ft seas. Large waves combined with heavy rain are flooding the island group. Saomai is moving NNW and is expected to weaken over the next couple of days.


Tropical Storm Lane


Super Typhoon Saomai

Unisys Weather Graphics

In the Atlantic, Tropical Storm Florence blossomed to near-hurricane strength yesterday and is expected to reach hurricane status sometime tomorrow. Currently, Florence is about 385 miles SSE of Cape Hatteras, NC, near 30.4N 73.1W, with maximum winds of 60-75 knots. Florence's movement is slow and erratic and not currently a threat to land.

San Francisco Bay Weather

To see what the winds are like on the Bay right now, check out http://sfports.wr.usgs.gov/wind/. From our office, it looks like it's going to be a great week for sailing, despite a few mid-week sprinkles.

California Coast Weather

Looking for current as well as recent wind and sea readings from 17 buoys and stations between Pt. Arena and the Mexican border? Here's the place - which has further links to weather buoys and stations all over the U.S.
www.ndbc.noaa.gov/stuff/southwest/swstmap.shtml

Pacific Ocean Weather

Click here to see today's weather map from the University of Hawaii Meteorology Department.

Pacific Sea State

Tropical Storm Lane is kicking up some seas of up to 18 feet off Baja right now. Check it out at:
http://www.mpc.ncep.noaa.gov/RSSA/PacRegSSA.html.
For another view, see http://www.oceanweather.com/data/global.html.

Cruising

Unusual Ways of Making Money

September 12 - Trinidad
You see all kinds of boats out cruising, and this gaffer in the accompanying photograph has always one of our favorites. A former fishing boat, it was owned by a burly Belgian guy and his French wife. Together with their kids, they had cruised all over the Atlantic, the Med, and the Indian Ocean. We met them in Trinidad about 10 years ago, and they told us of their unusual ways of making money. For awhile, for example, they imported small palm trees from the Chagos, which is in the middle of the Indian Ocean, to South Africa. They'd make money on the return trip by importing South African goods to Madagascar and Maritius. Later, he dove for diamonds off the coast of Namibia - which is one weird country. Although we can't remember the name of the boat or the owners, they've always represented the spirit of cruising to us.


Photo Latitude/Richard

YOTREPS

September 12 - The Pacific Ocean and Cyberspace

Who is out making passages in the Pacific and what kind of weather are they having? Check out YOTREPS - 'yacht reports' - at http://www.bitwrangler.com/yotreps/


Racing

International 14 Nationals

September 12 - San Francisco Bay

The St. Francis YC hosted the I-14 Nationals Sept. 8-10. Our man on the scene, John Riise, caught these great action shots:


Photos Latitude/JR

For more great photos, results and a report on the carnage, pick up the October issue of 'Latitude 38'.

Top / Index of Stories / Subscriptions / Classifieds / Home

©2000 Latitude 38 Publishing Co., Inc.