February 22, 2002

Photo of the Day

February 22 – Sea of Cortez, Mexico

Today’s Photo of the Day is of Craig and
Sheron Tuttle’s Utah-based sloop Sundagger sailing in
the Sea of Cortez. “In response to Latitude’s suggestion
of a Sea of Cortez Cruiser Clean-Up this spring, we regret that
we won’t be able to participate this year as we have to return
home in March. This is unfortunate for us, because we’re always
looking for ways to give something back to the Sea in return
for all it has given us. Hopefully others will answer the call.
Maybe it will become an annual event and we could participate
next year. In the meantime, we’ll continue to do our own little
bit by keeping it clean.”

Based on lack of response – or more likely
an inadequate amount of time for the idea to percolate – we’re
going to have to postpone a Cruiser Clean-Up for this year. If
we’re able to put it together for the fall, you two will be the
first we’re going to invite on Profligate to help out.
No matter who puts something like this together, it’s a great
idea, as it would go a long way to bettering the image of cruisers
in Baja.

“You also requested a report on winter
weather in the Sea of Cortez,” Craig and Sheron continue.
“Our winter in the southern Sea of Cortez has been very
enjoyable – although there has been lots of strong wind from
the north and boisterous seas. We’ve had plenty of spirited sailing,
especially when headed north, and we’ve had to spend a lot of
time hunkered down in protected anchorages waiting for the Northers
to blow themselves out. These, however, provided great opportunities
to meet with cruising neighbors over a glass of wine or tea.

“In the process of logging many miles
and hiking the hills, we saw a good side to the aftermath of
Hurricane Juliet – the islands were incredibly lush, green, and
vibrant – with lots of wildflowers. We truly love the Sea of
Cortez, the people and culture of Mexico, and the wonderful community
of cruisers. Sadly, we have to return home early this year, but
we’re already eagerly anticipating our return in the fall.”

Dangerous Sailing on San Diego Bay?

February 22 – San Diego Bay

“I’m not sure if you heard about it,”
writes a reader named Miles, “but a couple of days ago the
Santana 23 Dog Meat capsized and sank in San Diego Bay.
She had 17 – yes, 17! – people aboard. Apparently everyone was
okay.”

We hadn’t heard about it, and would love
details if anyone could provide them. We suppose the next step
is that the owner and some of the crew will sue the manufacturer
for a defective product.

Geronimo
Still on the Go

February 22 – Atlantic Ocean

Olivier de Kersauson’s 110-ft catamaran
Geronimo is still burning up the miles in the Jules Verne,
having covered 1,811 miles in a little over 80 hours. This is
an average of around 22.6 knots, about the same as doing a TransPac
in four days. An excellent start to be sure, but we think everyone
is being premature about figuring on a 61-day trip around the
world. After all, the boat is only a 15th of the way around the
course, and they got to pick the ideal conditions in which to
start. A couple of days of being becalmed, and the average could
drop like crazy. It’s been a great start for what looks like
a great boat, but there’s a long, long, long way to go, and unfavorable
weather conditions to be dealt with.

San Diego to Puerto Vallarta Race

February 22 – San Diego

The San Diego Yacht Club reports, “With
a Santa Ana wind lurking, the three beautiful entries in the
50-foot and over Performance Cruise 1 class strolled off toward
Mexico. Boats leaving yesterday are well down the track – 140-ish
miles. As of 0800, Checkmate was leading everyone, with
Windswept and Sensation a little behind and 20
miles further out to sea. About even and inland a bit were the
rest of the PH C and Performance Cruise 2 boats clustered together.
There was no motoring time reported by the Performance Cruise
boats indicating that everyone got offshore in yesterday’s ideal
conditions and the breeze held up last night. Sensation
reported 0800 breeze at 12 kts from 000°, skies cloudy with
some fog and lumpy seas.”

Today’s start will feature Division IV
PHRF boats and 70s. Tomorrow will be the maxi sled start. For
a complete entry list and current standings, visit www.sdyc.org/raceinfo/Puerto%20Vallarta.htm

Headed for the Red Sea

February 22 – Salalah, Oman

“The September 11th attack on the
World Trade Center made us think about delaying our voyage up
the Red Sea this year. Some yachts opted for South Africa instead.
But now that we are in Salalah, Oman, and we have met the local
people, the Red Sea appears to be a politically safe option.
At present, there are 40 yachts in Salalah preparing to make
the Red Sea passage this year. Most will be skipping Yemen and
heading directly to Djibouti or Eritrea. There are three British,
one German, two French, and an undisclosed number of American
warships off the Yemen/Somalia coast. The British have been quite
hospitable, inviting us yachties to their ship for cocktails.
In a dry country like Oman, their invites are very appreciated.

“We get daily reports about pirate
attacks on vessels off the Yemen coast. Some yachties are plotting
the attack locations hoping to realize a pattern and then plan
their routes accordingly. Yachts that have already left have
left in ‘pods’ of four. For some unknown reason we yachties believe
we will not be attacked by pirates if we travel in groups of
four.

“The local people of Oman have been
open-minded and friendly. While here, we toured the country and
visited the smaller mountain villages. By accident we came upon
a group of Oman women without veils covering their faces. They
quickly covered their faces with their sleeves, but after awhile,
realizing we were a family – my father stayed away – we were
able to talk with them and see their faces. They were very beautiful
with high cheek bones and olive-colored skin. All wore lipstick,
colorful gowns, and gold earrings. The people of Salalah seemed
indifferent about our nationality.”

Kate Rakelly (8 years old), Voyager, Cascade 36, Portland,
OR, at Salalah
Photo Courtesy the Rakellys

YOTREPS

February 22 – 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 22 – 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.