Photo of the Day

August 8 - Tiburon, CA

We're #1! A new channel marker was recently installed just off the Corinthian YC in Tiburon. We're not sure why - except to perhaps help the intoxicated mariners leaving Sam's Anchor Cafe find their way home.


Photo Latitude/Richard

Banned to King Harbor

August 8 - Southern California

A couple of TransPacs ago, long time racing helmsman Bob Boyes of Ventura was sailing on a big sled when she was horizoned in a very short time by Bruno Peyron and the 86-ft cat Explorer. His reaction as a speed freak was simple: "I better look into these multihulls." So he bought a Rolland 36, which is an '80s era racing cat. He's not been allowed to participate in the King Harbor to Santa Barbara Race, so he's sailed the course the last two years as a renegade. Here's his report.

"Even though we were not an official entry in the race, we were first to finish - about 20 minuites ahead of the 52-ft cat Afterburner, and about 45 minutes ahead of the Andrews 70 Magnatude. This race and this boat have become quite a story. The last two years the sponsoring yacht clubs have not given us an oppertunity to race - even though we have finished first in both races and last year set an unofficial course record. They claim liability is the reason, but I feel this is a cop-out for many reasons. 2 of 10 {the name of his boat} and multihulls like her will not go away, as they are scattered all over California and the world. These are boats that are not only growing in recocnition and popularity worldwide, but, if sailed and prepared properly, can be as safe as any other racing multihull or monohulled vessel on the open ocean. I have been sailing the fastest monohulls in the world over the last 25 years, have crossed many oceans in the world's biggest races, and see absolutely no reason to not include this type of boat in our yacht racing community. My ideals not only differ with a few of the yacht club people, but my frustration also extends to ORCA. This Southern California multihull organization has for many years put the clamps on many forward thinking multihull designers and builders, preventing west coast sailors from greater exposure to multihulls that are not only accepted in the other more advanced yachting communities, but are racing at the highest levels. If there are limitations to what is possible, then this will continue to be a slow growth sport in which many of the talented will become frustrated and bored. All some of us are looking for is to have a little excitement along with a good time - while feeling we are contributing to make our sport more interesting."

The thing that scares yacht clubs away from more extreme cats such as 2 of 10, is incidents such as occurred last year, when another Rolland 36 sailing alongside the King Harbor fleet flipped forward and sank, nearly killing the crew. Bob told us how that never should have happened - can you write it up so we can share it with others?



Bob Boyes and 2 of 10
Photos Latitude/Richard





The Cup Overfloweth

August 8 - NZ to UK

The America's Cup, the oldest sporting trophy in the world, is getting bigger. When the Kiwis went to have their name engraved on the trophy for winning the last Cup, they discovered - what's this?! - there wasn't any room for their name. So the Cup goes back to Asprey and Garrand Jewellers in London, who made the Cup back in 1848.



Cat Fun

August 8 - San Francisco Bay

As mentioned in the August 7 'Lectronic, Profligate will be going sailing on Saturday with a group of folks interested in big cats - and in supporting Profligate's 'sister city' in Mexico. About 10 people expect to participate. This is last call if you're also interested. Email Richard.



Fossett Over Fiji, Playstation on East Coast

August 8 - The World at Large

Adventurer Steve Fossett is in his ballon over Fiji, trying to be the first to singlehand a balloon around the world. Playstation sits on the East Coast, a victim - like Team Adventure - of winds that have not yet lined up for a run at the TransAtlantic Record.


YOTREPS

August 8 - 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

August 8 - Pacific Ocean

San Francisco Bay Weather

To see what the winds are like on the Bay and just outside the Gate right now, check out http://sfports.wr.usgs.gov/wind/.

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 Winds and Pressure

The University of Hawaii Dept. of Meteorology page posts a daily map of the NE Pacific Ocean barometric pressure and winds.

Pacific Sea State

Check out the Pacific Ocean sea states at: http://www.mpc.ncep.noaa.gov/RSSA/PacRegSSA.html.
For another view, see http://www.oceanweather.com/data/global.html.


Top / Index of Stories / Subscriptions / Classifieds / Home

©2001 Latitude 38 Publishing Co., Inc.