Photo of the Day

January 16 - Florida

Today's Photo of the Day is for everyone who is freezing their buns off here in the 'temperate climes'. The shot is of one of Devon Mullin's crew sailing aboard his Shannon 38 Points Beyond from Florida to Cuba. Devon and his wife and new baby live in Southern California; their boat is in Florida.

Photo Devon Mullin


Unfortunate Name for a Nautical Author

January 16 - New York, NY

Yesterday we received a review copy of a book called The Great Ships from Walker & Company in New York. As you can see from the photo of the cover, the author is clearly identified as Patrick O'Brien. What an unfortunate name, because it's practically the same as that of the late Patrick O'Brian, who wrote the wildly successful Aubrey/Maturin historical novels. Although The Great Ships book is for children, you can't help but suspect the author or the publishing company might be trading on the name of the more popular author.


Photo Latitude/Annie 


Update on Zihua Sail Fest

January 16 - Zihuatanejo

Jimmie Zinn aboard Dry Martini in Z-town has the latest on the first Z-Fest to take place in less than two weeks:

Thursday, January 31 - The charity sail/race with Profligate and Capricorn Cat. Room for 20 people on each boat who are willing to donate $20 each to benefit the local Indian school, a very worthwhile cause. We might get other boats to handle the overflow. The alternative activity on Thursday will be a beach volleyball tournament.

Friday, Feb. 1 - Afternoon dinghy raft-up and general water party surrounding Profligate. This will include blindfolded dinghy rowing races, other water sports, and a potluck dinner. Profligate will be anchored near Playa Las Gatas, where the water is clear and clean.

Saturday, Feb. 2 - Sail parade and daysail on a loose course through Zihua Bay, up past Ixtapa to Isla Grande, and back in time to anchor before sundown. This will be followed by a wrap up party with 10 peso beer, burgers and dogs included in the sign up fee.

El Capitan de Puerto has been included in the planning, so we have no problem there. He has even agreed to lead the parade on Saturday. Elsa at Marina Ixtapa is going to participate on her boat, and there will be some other local boats, too.


What's This Funny Stuff?

January 16 -
St. Barts

When we finally awoke in St. Barts on January 1, we strolled over to a bar to order a hair of the dog. We can't remember if we paid in French francs or U.S. dollars, but this was the change they gave us. We thought we were being stiffed - but then we remembered that most of the countries in the European Union were switching to the Euro. While the Euro will bring simplicity and save money for travelers, it's certainly not as good looking as the franc.


St. Barts on New Year's Day
Photo Latitude/Richard


Euro coins and folding money
Photo Latitude/Annie


YOTREPS

January 16 - 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

January 16 - 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 is www.nws.mbay.net/home.html.

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.


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