April 9, 2004

Catchin’ a Ride

April 9 – San Francisco

A good time was had by all at Latitude
38’s spring Crew List Party Wednesday night at San Francisco’s
Golden Gate Yacht Club. We tell you this not to make you feel
as though you missed the boat, but to remind you that there are
many excellent opportunities out there for joining a race crew,
a daysail group or to go cruising. Among the many captains who
were trolling for crew, we met a guy who needed help bringing
a boat back from the Med, a gal who needed crew for a Hawaii
to S.F. delivery and an old salt who intends to take his schooner
around Cape Horn – again.

Holger and Tracy are looking for hard-working crew for an around-the-world
trip aboard their famous schooner Lord Jim (415-331-1968).

Talk about unique party favors! It’s always a big hit when Sal
(of Sal’s Inflatables in Alameda) pops open a liferaft and allows
partiers to test the fit.
Photos Latitude/Andy

If you missed the party, fear not. Contact
info for many who attended can be found in the March (racing)
and April (everything else) issues of Latitude
38.

Puddle Jump Boat Rescued by Mexican Navy

April 9 – South Pacific

John and Renee Prentice of San Diego were
among the most experienced sailors in this year’s Pacific Puddle
Jump fleet, and their Serendipity 43 Scarlett O’Hara was
very well equipped. But that did not make them immune to breakdowns.

John and Renee posed for this shot last month at Latitude’s
Puddle Jump Kickoff Party at the Vallarta Yacht Club in Paradise
Village.
Photo Latitude/Andy

Having departed Puerto Vallarta on March
15, they had sailed 700 miles of the 3,000-mile passage to the
Marquesas when, at 3am on March 20, their rudder broke off. “We
tried to build an emergency rudder,” explained John, “but
it lasted only a few minutes in the large seas and strong winds.”

Luckily, they were able to raise Don Anderson
of Summer Passage who assisted them in contacting the
Mexican Navy, which initiated a rescue and eventually towed Scarlett
O’Hara all the way back to Manzanillo. “We cannot say
enough good things about the way the Mexican Navy handled us
– they towed our boat for six days!!!” said John. “They
were professional and very concerned about our safety and were
careful to not cause any further damage to the boat.”

The Prentices are now completing repairs
and say that they’ll probably give the Puddle Jump another try
next year. Three cheers for the Navy!

Geronimo’s Crew
Breathes a Sigh of Relief

April 9 – South Atlantic Ocean

“Phew!” exclaimed Olivier de
Kersauson soon after rounding Cape Horn. The crew of the maxi-tri
Geronimo had just made their escape from a hellish and
very hostile Pacific Ocean. Still reeling from 10 days of relentless
tumult, the 11 French sailors have now begun the long trek home
through the full length of the Atlantic.

Geronimo
Photo Jacques Vapillon/DPPI/Cap Gemini Ernst & Young Schneider
Electric

This difficult crossing of the southern
seas will certainly leave its mark on those involved and probably
on their collective memory as well. “If we’d known at the
beginning, none of my lads would have been down there in such
sailing conditions,” explained the Breton skipper in a very
tired voice.

Now on day 43 in their quest for the around-the-world
record, they want nothing more than to find a little warmth and
forget all about beating to weather in freezing temperatures.
One last effort and Geronimo’s crew will finally be free
of the accursed Howling Fifties and into the tropics as they
head for the Equator.

For more and for future updates, see www.trimaran-geronimo.com/index.php?lang=en.

Corinthian Speaker Series to Feature NOAA
Meteorologist

April 9 – Tiburon

The Corinthian Yacht Club in downtown Tiburon
invites you next Tuesday night to an evening with one of the
most knowledgeable marine weather forecasters on the planet today.
Lee Chesneau, Senior Marine Meteorologist for NOAA, will be speaking
in person on Tuesday, April 13.

Whether you are planning a long offshore
passage, some coastal racing or cruising, or just sailing in
the Bay, you need to know about the weather, and the technological
advances that are putting an unprecedented amount of information
in your hands. Lee is just the person to help you advance your
knowledge. Lee received his BS degree in Meteorology from the
University of Wisconsin. A 20-year veteran weather forecaster
for the U.S Navy, he has been employed since 1988 by the National
Weather Service Marine Prediction Center in Camp Springs, MD,
as a senior marine forecaster. In that capacity he prepares and
issues marine warnings in both text and graphical format for
the North Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Lee is a colorful, articulate
speaker who will take your knowledge of weather technology to
the next level.

The doors will open at the club at 6pm,
and a no-host bar will be available. Lee will start his talk
around 7:00, wrapping up around 9:00. Admission is $10 per person.
Reservations are recommended, seating will be limited. To make
reservations, call CYC at (415) 435-4771 or visit www.cyc.org/speakers/leechesneau.html and
fill out the online reservation form.

Don’t Miss the Ha-Ha Shindig at Pacific
SAIL EXPO

April 9 – Oakland

If you are a Baja
Ha-Ha veteran or simply want to know more about this much-talked-about
annual sailing rally from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas, be sure
to attend Latitude 38’s Ha-Ha Vets get-together Friday,
April 16, 7pm at the Latitude booth #321. All vets and
wannabes are welcome.

We particularly encourage curious young
sailors to drop by. In past events many sailors in their 20s
and early 30s have proven that you don’t need a gold-plated yacht
with all the bells and whistles to successfully do the Ha-Ha.
Last year, for example several couples in their 20s did the event
and had the time of their lives. (There are also entry discounts
for entrants younger than 35 with boats under 35 feet.)

At last year’s Sail Expo Ha-Ha party we first met newlyweds Elan
and (Captain) Katy Stewart. They doublehanded the 2003 Ha-Ha
in their vintage Golden Gate 30 and had a blast. As far as we
know, they’re still out there somewhere on an extended honeymoon.

Photo Latitude/Andy

Note also that Latitude’s founder
and publisher Richard Spindler (a.k.a. The Grand Poobah) will
be giving two Sail Expo seminars. The first will be Friday, April
16 (Tent A at 4:45 pm), focusing on the differences between cruising
Mexico and the Caribbean. The second will be held Saturday, April
17 (Tent A at 6pm) and will give a complete overview of next
fall’s Ha-Ha, which starts October 25.

For a complete seminar schedule, see www.sailamerica.com
or pick up the April issue of Latitude
38, which includes a full-color pre-show planner.

More to See on the Oakland Estuary

April 9 – Oakland

KFOG deejay Big Rick Stuart checks in on
the subject of the Oakland Estuary, the venue of the upcoming
Sail Expo: “I wrote up a little thing for KFOG about the
Oakland Estuary with some pictures and links to just some of
the historical boats and places there. People coming for the
Expo might not all know the cool stuff there. Things like the
Lightship tend to get passed by during a busy weekend, but are
definitely worth a look.” See www.bigrick.fm/kfog/oakestuary.html.

The WLV 605 Lightship Relief served in Delaware, off Blunts
Reef (off Cape Mendocino) and as the Relief ship for all West
Coast lightships. The light was visible for up to 23 miles from
the ship’s station. The ship is also equipped with a pair of
diaphone fog signals, a radio beacon antenna, and radar. The
ship’s hull is painted bright red for increased visibility as
a day mark. Now she is open to the public at Jack London Square
and is a national historic landmark.
Photo Rick Stuart

“The polar bear pictures are just
amazing. I emailed that story to lots of friends.” For the
polar bear item, see Wednesday’s
‘Lectronic Latitude.

Classy Classified Ad

April 9 – Southern California

BENETEAU 50, 1996. Registered Nov. 1995.
Bruce Farr designed hull. Major rework in March 2003. Radios,
instruments, sails, running rigging, LP paint. $235,000/obo.
Call for complete information. (909) 360-7534 or (480) 396-8606.