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Golden Gate YC Midwinter #2

December 6 - San Francisco

The second edition of the 2004-2005 Manuel Fagundes Seaweed Soup Regatta was started on an easterly after a postponement while the race committee waited for the weather to make up its mind. This 'backwards' wind direction made for a spinnaker parade to the Golden Gate Bridge, and thus some unusual photos.


Although headed to the Blackaller Buoy off Crissy Field, many racers chose to head out to the middle of the channel to catch the strongest ebb.


Shaddy Daddy, a Beneteau First 40.7, in PHRF 1


Some PHRF 2 Division boats, with the Express 34 Two Scoops in the foreground


J/105s Larrikin and Whisper


The photographer gets caught on film - er, silicon chip. When you see the Bertram with the teal colored seats, smile and wave.
Photo Dennis Minnick/Harp


Chutes came down at Blackaller for the beat to Harding Rock and Blossom Rock. Aleta, a Peterson 46, is in the foreground.


The gang on Spirit of Elvis, a Santana 35
Photos Latitude/Andy except as noted

The breeze remained light for most of the race, until the westerly filled in around mid-afternoon, making the second trip to Blackaller a tight reach. Results should be posted sometime soon at www.ggyc.com/race_deck/results-friday-03.htm. Also see the January issue of Latitude 38.


More Evidence that the Charts Are Off in Mexico

December 6 - Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico

It's often been reported that you can't rely on GPS in Mexico for precise positions because the charts, based on surveys from long ago, aren't accurate. The shot below is of the Nobeltec chart on Profligate's PC. The little green shape, indicating our boat, shows that we're on land. But in fact, we were still at least a quarter of a mile from our destination of Tomatlan.

Last night, we had a terrific sail back to Paradise Marina from Punta de Mita, and the same navigation error manifested itself. As we entered the channel into Nuevo Vallarta, our Garmin GPS map showed us already a mile or so inland. Again, the problem is not with the GPS, but with ancient inaccurate charts.
On Friday we reported that the Hunter 29 ConsuMate had gone aground after missing the entrance to Nuevo Vallarta. Having entered ourselves last night without any moonlight, we can confirm that it's not something that we'd recommend for first-timers. We've entered the channel dozens of times before and know all the nearby landmarks - and it was still potentially tricky because of all the background lights.


To be safe, enter Nuevo Vallarta before sunset.
Photos Latitude/Richard


Pleasantly Primitive

December 6 - Boca de Tomatlan, Mexico


Looking into Boca de Tomatlan, with the Kliff House on the left. The hills and mountains are covered in thick jungle.

Today's Photos of the Day are from Boca de Tomatlan, which is a small bay in Banderas Bay between Puerto Vallarta and Yelapa. We made an afternoon visit there the other day with Northern Californians Christian and Eva, who crew on the Cheoy Lee Offshore 47 Angel, and Southern Californians Craig and Susan, who run the Long Beach-based J/44 Sabrosa. Tomatlan is one of several spots along the southwestern part of Banderas Bay where a river flows down out of the tall jungle-covered mountains to a deep and narrow bay. As such, the anchoring is difficult. Even though we set our hook in 75 feet of water, the stern was quite close to the surf breaking on the beach. It's not a place we'd overnight, although we're told one cruiser spent an entire season there.


Looking down on Profligate from the highway above.


Christian and Eva about to go to shore.


Susan with a fish kebab.


Jonathan holds up the bill o' fare. A small fish dinner was $7. Beers were $1.50.


When they say there is waterfront dining in Tomatlan, they mean it!


With the prevailing wind blowing ashore, we weren't about to leave Profligate for long.

Tomatlan is the last spot on the highway on the southern part of the bay, so all supplies needing to get to Yelapa and other communities have to go by panga. We saw guys carrying four huge sacks on their backs to pangas, and asked what was in the sacks. It was packaged feed for the horses down the coast. At some point in the future, we wouldn't be surprised to see this little bay surrounded by mansions overlooking the water, which would be the case if it were in California. Right now, it's pleasantly primitive.


A few pangas are anchored off the beach, but most are kept in the lagoon on the other side of a very narrow bar. The water inside the lagoon is at least 15 degrees cooler than the ocean!
Photos Latitude/Richard


Mystery Photo

December 6 - ???


Photo Latitude/Richard

Who are all these cruisers and what are they doing to raise money for a children's school? Find out on Wednesday.


Has the Weather Gotten Any Warmer in California?

December 6 - Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico

We hope so, because today is fly home day, and we're not used to the cold. Yesterday we got some nose-riding little waves at Punta de Mita, and the water temp was in the low 80s. And when we sailed home, the air temperature, despite hazy skies, was in the mid-80s. In fact, when we finally reached the harbor at 8:30 p.m., everyone was still in their swimming suits and dying to cool off in the pool. So if you can just assure us that it's now cooler than 75 back home, we'll be all right with it.


Photo Latitude/Richard


Feasting for Charity in Mazatlan

December 3 - Mazatlan, Mexico

Sylvia Fox and Michael Fitzgerald are headed to Puerto Vallarta board Sabbatical. They checked in with this report from Mazatlan.

"Marina Mazatlan hosted its annual Thanksgiving feast for more than 100 cruisers as a benefit for the Ciudad de los Niños orphanage. After a great event that included traditional turkey, mashed potatoes and cranberries, dancing and fireworks, a delegation of cruisers from the marina delivered the pesos and food to the orphanage.


Cruisers pose with a very happy Sister, who heads the orphanage, after donating funds from the Thanksgiving fund-raiser.
Photo Courtesy Sabbatical

"The orphanage, run by several nuns, is unique in that it adopts the children for life. They currently have 52 children and an assortment of friendly dogs. We were taken on a tour of the facility which was immaculate and spacious, if sparsely furnished. During the tour we were told that the hot water heaters were no longer working and they were boiling water on the stoves to wash the dishes, clothes, etc.

"Cruisers could really relate to only having cold water.

"Within 24 hours, cruisers in the three Mazatlan marinas contributed nearly $500 (U.S.) to buy the hot water heaters and have committed to buying and installing them this week."



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