February 12, 2002

Photo of the Day

February 12 – San Francisco Bay

“After seeing the photos of cruising
in Mexico in ‘Lectronic, I was getting a case of terminal winter
depression,” writes Glenn Fagerlin of the 45-ft Kronos catamaran
Perception. “But last Saturday was a partial cure
– a spectacular day on the Bay. Spring seemed like it was here!
The attached photo is of Perception on a reach to the
Cityfront from Richmond. It was blowing about 10 knots from the
east, with bright sunshine, 70 degree temperatures, and a good
ebb. It was so pleasant we ran down the Cityfront, out the Gate
and past Pt. Bonita – all under spinnaker. It was just a great
day on the Bay!”

Photo Glenn Fagerlin

Cruiser Lost on the Gold Coast of Mexico

February 12 – Cabo Corrientes, Mexico

Based on reports from Mexico, John Ludwig of the 30-foot aluminum
sloop Forte died in a sailing accident while cruising
with his wife Ceyla south of Cabo Corrientes on February 8. Ceyla
apparently told other cruisers that her husband had gone overboard,
but she was unable to maneuver the boat in heavy seas. Cabo Corrientes
is known for being the Point Conception of mainland Mexico. Eventually,
Forte, which had done a circumnavigation under previous
owners, washed up on Cucharitas Beach. Ceyla made it to shore
with some bruises before the boat was pulled back out by waves.
We’re not sure where the Ludwigs are from, but they are said
to be an older couple well known to cruisers from Mazatlan to
Puerto Vallarta. The Mexican Navy provided assistance by confirming
that a vessel had gone ashore, and by giving directions on how
P.V. cruisers could get to the boat by land to help. A number
of cruisers showed up to help as best they could. Ceyla is currently
being assisted by staff of the American Consul.

Cruiser couples are often warned of the
dangers of the woman not knowing how to operate the boat if the
man falls overboard or becomes incapacitated. Despite the warnings,
this continues to be true in probably 50% of the cases.

This report was based on information provided
by Ed and Daisy Marill of the CSY 44 Siesta of Marathon,
Florida, and the 2001 Ha-Ha.

They’re Calling It Aucklandgate

February 12 – Auckland, NZ

The long history of the America’s Cup has been filled with many
dirty deeds, but the current stink may be on an entirely different
level. Seattle’s OneWorld Syndicate is being accused of having
illegally acquired design and building information from the victorious
Kiwi syndicate. At the center of the controversy is noted designer
Laurie Davidson, who was with the Kiwi camp last time and who
‘defected’ to the Seattle Syndicate for this go.

OneWorld has admitted to some minor mistakes
of protocol early on; the question is whether they are guilty
of much greater offenses. An America’s Cup Arbitration Panel
is to sort it all out within the next six to eight weeks. Some
pundits are saying it’s much to do about nothing, others say
it may be the end of OneWorld.

Meanwhile, there’s an America’s Cup warmup
regatta of sorts going on in Auckland right now – although most
syndicates aren’t participating and there’s only one fourth generation
boat.

Mike and Gail Enjoying Life

February 12 – Bahia Herradura, Costa Rica

“Wild Rover,
a Cal 34 Mark III, is now in Bahia Herradura, Costa Rica,”
report Mike and Gail Cannady – and their two cats. “We were
Ha-Ha 2000 participants, and one year later are still making
our way south towards Panama. After the Ha-Ha we spent six months
harbor hopping down the Mexican coast, and crossed the Tehuantepec
in May. Guatemala and El Salvador had not been high on our list
of places to visit, but we ended up spending two months in these
two countries, and fitting in a lot of inland travel. Barillas
Marina was a great place to do maintenance and repairs, and to
make quick trips home. San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, is not to
be missed. Costa Rica is beautiful and clean. Being Pacific Northwesterners,
we don’t think we would have survived in the dry Sea of Cortez,
and are glad we kept heading south. This photo is of Mike catching
up on a recent issue of Latitude 38 at Playa del Coco,
while Roberts the cat plans the next anchorages.”

Photo Gail Cannady

As far as we’re concerned, Mike and Gail
prove once again that you don’t need a big or expensive boat
to have a great time cruising.

Orange
at the Ready

February 12 – Brest, France

Bruno Peyron – who created The Race – is
expected to take off in the next few days to try to reclaim the
Jules Verne Around The World Trophy he once won with the 86-ft
cat Explorer. This time he’ll be sailing the Gilles Ollier-designed
110-ft maxi-cat Orange – formerly Innovations Explorer.
It was hoped that he’d be going head to head with Oliver de Kersauson,
who set a new Jules Verne record with the trimaran Sport Elect,
and is now hoping to beat it with the 120-ft trimaran Geronimo.
Alas, Geronimo lost the top of her rig in very light air
a few months back, and still is not ready yet. The current Jules
Verne record is 71 days.
For details, photos, videos and more see the very animated site
www.orange.fr

YOTREPS

February 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/

Weather Updates

February 12 – 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/.
The National Weather Service site for San Francisco Bay has moved
to www.wrh.noaa.gov/Monterey/.

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.