The photo of the day comes from last week’s way-better-than-anybody-expected
America’s Cup Jubilee in Cowes, England, where more than 200
yachts representing all types and all eras of sailing put on
what some are calling the greatest display of boats and sailing
in all of history. The accompanying shot is indicative of the
diversity of boats: the 212-foot three-masted schooner Adix,
and one of the 12 Meters that used to race in the America’s Cup.
By the way, how well do big boat captains
do these days? Well Paul Goss, a great guy and terrific sailor,
has been compensated well enough so that he was able to afford
his own 70-ft classic yacht entered in the Jubilee!
For the first sailing magazine coverage
of the event, plus great photos, check out the September edition
of Latitude 38,
available at all the normal locations on Friday. We’ll also have
more photos in ‘Lectronic the next couple of days.
Photo Latitude/John Arndt
Cruiser Shot in Ecuador?
August 28 – Ecuador
“I just read the most horrific account
of a shooting in Ecuador of a fellow
cruiser,” writes Jim Barden of the Morgan 33 Ann Marie.
“I’m waiting for a response from my friend to reprint the
letter he emailed to me. Did you hear of the shooting yet?”
We have not heard of a cruiser shooting
in Ecuador. Since we’re on a bad news topic, here is what Bob
Medd’s boat looked liked after two men in a panga came aboard
and slit his throat a couple of weeks ago in the Sea of Cortez.
Fortunately, Medd is doing much better. There are also reports
that two men from Constitucion have been arrested in the assault
on Medd. The full story is in the September Latitude
– including where to send money to a fund that’s been set up
for him.
Photo Ken of Wishful Thinking
Eastern Med Yacht Rally
August 28 – Eastern Mediterranean
David Law and Bonnie Carleton bailed out
of the Silicon Valley in ’98. They now spend their winters skiing
near their new home in Santa Fe, and their summers cruising Icarus, the F/J 39 cat they bought in the Med. Earlier this year,
they did the Eastern Med Yacht Rally. You can read about it in
the September Latitude,
but here’s a photo of Baalbeck, Lebanon, one of the great stops
along the way.
Photo Courtesy Icarus
Local Guys Make It Big
August 28 – SF Bay Area
There have long been rumors on the waterfront
that Larry Ellison of Oracle – and of the Oracle Racing America’s
Cup effort for the Golden Gate YC, the Farr 82 Sayonara,
and two large motoryachts – is building an even bigger motoryacht.
Based on the fact that the curved windows in this 400-footer
under construction are unique but almost exactly like the ones
on his current Katana, we’d bet a nickel that it’s his
new boat.
Meanwhile, there have been media reports
that Belvedere’s Tom Perkins, who already owns two of the most
brilliantly restored yachts in the world plus the 156-ft Perini
Navi sailboat Andromeda, has purchased an unfinished 284-ft
Perini Navi sailboat to have three unstayed masts.
YOTREPS
August 28 – 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/
Weather Updates
Hurricane in Pacific and Atlantic
August 28 – Pacific and Atlantic Oceans
Hurricane Flossie, a weak one, formed 300 miles southwest of
Cabo but is heading due west away from land. This should mean
no danger to boats, but great surf! In the Atlantic, Dean, which
started near the BVIs but has quickly headed toward the north
pole, is down to a 50-knot tropical storm.
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 Winds and Pressure
The University of Hawaii Dept. of Meteorology
page posts a daily
map of the NE Pacific Ocean barometric pressure and winds.
