Photo of the Day

March 6 - Somewhere in the USA

The name of the game with today's Photo of the Day is identify the area seen in the photo. We'll give you a couple of hints. It's one of the most beautiful - and dangerous - places in the United States. It also has great sailing and warm water. Many of you have been there. Back when we used to kick around in the harbor toward the top of the photo, there were usually a bunch of guys handcuffed to one of the waterfront bars. This was because the saucy woman behind the bar had a standing offer: escape from the handcuffs she put on them, and the drinks would be free. For the answer, keep reading today's 'Lectronic.


Photo Latitude/Richard


Orange Continues to Do Well in Less than Ideal Conditions

March 6 - Atlantic Ocean

Bruno Peyron and the maxi cat Orange continue to battle less than optimum sailing conditions in their Jules Verne attempt, but continue to do well. Having battled rough seas, wind from unfavorable angles, and now lighter winds, the gaudily painted cat has still averaged 18.85 knots for the last 24 hours, and is now 1,700 miles from the equator. With relatively calm conditions, the crew is carefully checking the whole boat over. This means that Florent Chastel went to the top of the mast - from the inside.

"It's true that it can be a bit stressful, and it's no good if you're claustrophobic when hauled up this huge chimney" added Florent. "I'm going to check everything, including the repairs that were made to where the top broke. But I can't complain, as before I had to haul myself up with the strength of my own arms. Now there's a halyard for hoisting me up the inside, right to the top."


Photo Courtesy Orange


Maybe the Megayacht Challenge Is not Such a Good Idea

March 6 - Newport, RI

Some folks in the Northeast, including the folks from Yachting magazine, have come up with a new - and we think not very good - idea for a boat race to be held off Newport, Rhode Island, August 22-25. The event is to be called the Megayacht Challenge, and is a motoryacht race for megayachts - meaning vessels over 100 feet. One thousand invitations were sent out. The first 30 owners that pony up the $25,000 entry fee will get slots. There is no word yet as to whether the boat will have to race with their helicopter(s) onboard or not.

The way we see it, this is going to provide environmentalists and haters of boats with great ammunition to besmirch the image of all mariners. Somebody is going to figure out how many gallons these megayachts burn an hour - you'd be stunned - and loudly start raising the issue of wretched excess on the water. There will be trickle-down to the owners of 25 to 40 foot boats, but it won't be good trickle-down.

And what's the contest about anyway? Who has forked over the money for the largest engines and whose captain can put the throttle forward fastest? We're against it.


It Happened Again

March 6 - Mexico

We run three-bladed folding Max-Props on Profligate, and have really liked them. At least when they've stayed with the boat. In the last eight months, we've had two of them simply fall off while underway, and nobody can figure out why. One time it was a prop that had been just checked by the factory, and professionally installed - we were there watching - on a brand new Sail Drive. The second time, it was a eight-month old prop that had been ultra carefully installed by the same professional.

We're not knocking the product, we're just interested if anyone else has had a similar experience. If so, email Richard.


Banderas Bay Regatta

March 6 - Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico

Adios, we're off to Mexico for next week's Banderas Bay Regatta. 'Lectronic Latitude will be on hiatus tomorrow and Friday, and we're not sure how often it will appear next week, but be sure to check back with us, or subscribe by email and we'll notify you by email when we post a new edition.


Last Year's Banderas Bay Regatta
Photo Latitude/Richard


Photo of the Day

March 6 - Somewhere in the USA

Today's Photo of the Day is of Christmas Cove and behind it Red Hook on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.


YOTREPS

March 6 - 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

March 6 - 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.


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