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Biggest Buccaneer Days Ever

October 3 - Two Harbors

The fun started on the pier with some traditional dancing by Baja Ha-Ha vet Bruce of the trimaran Migracion and his crew.

Buccaneers and their wenches have been gathering at Two Harbors, Catalina, in early October for some 16 years now, but never in greater numbers than this year. There were 720 boats on moorings, plus 15% with raftups, plus 166 anchored, for a total of about 1,000 pirate boats! No pirate or wench wanted to miss this end of the pirate season shindig. Heck, one reveler came all the way from Annapolis.

There were a number of organized activities and competitions for children and adults ashore on Saturday, but we can't tell you anything about them. We'd gone to the patio bar at 1 p.m. for a glass of lemonade, but it was so crowded that we weren't able to escape until shortly after midnight. It was a cruel fate, to be sure, but didn't compare to the suffering of the bartenders. Most of their pouring arms became so sore from the millions of drinks they served, that the ship's carpenters had to cut the useless limbs off with rusty saws. In true buccaneer tradition, the arms were barbecued and passed off as mutton. "Tastes like chicken!" said one looped pirate who did a jig while he ate.

There was a run on the supplies in the Pirate's Den, of course. The General Store quickly ran out of push-up bras and the new line of Johnny Depp eye make-up for men; there wasn't a drop of Jack Daniels to be found after midnight; and the pirate breakfast buffet quickly ran out of food.

You couldn't purchase a natural look like this at the pirate store.

"It's not make-up, I've just had a couple of late nights."

With diesel selling at 4.90 doubloons a gallon, there wasn't much interest - at least not as much interest as in two naked wenches who were towed through Cherry Cove by a guy in a dinghy. Hey, they were flailing around in the water and we thought they needed help.

For the number of people and the amount of liquor consumed, there were very few problems. Sure, there were the expected minor squabbles in the back bar, a couple of people puked in places they shouldn't have, and when a couple having sex against the side of the little red schoolhouse set off the motion-sensor light, about a half dozen couples were exposed in a state of fragrant delecto or whatever you call it in Latin.

All in all, a great time for all who participated and a great job by the Two Harbors staff. You don't want to miss it next year.

The wenches' new dental plan left everyone with a smile.

When a pirate gets a little bloodied, he doesn't need a handkerchief - at least not when there's a matey around.

A few of the folks at Buccaneer Days didn't put too much thought into their costumes.

A happy foursome

For wenches looking to settle down and raise some little pirates, there were plenty of good catches.

A couple of the piratesses head off to the Officer's Club for an afternoon grog.

Photos Latitude/Richard

Come to the Crew Party!

October 3 - Alameda

Is it really October already? Then it's time to head south for the season! If your boat needs crew or you're looking for a boat to crew on, head on over to Encinal Yacht Club on Wednesday, October 5, 6-9 p.m., for the Latitude 38 Mexico-Only Crew List and Baja Ha-Ha Party. If you're on the Crew List published in the October 2005 issue of Latitude 38, or if you're an officially entered 2005 Baja Ha-Ha skipper or first mate, you get in free. Everyone else pays a measly $7.

What do you get for your money? The opportunity to mingle with sailors who share common interests, to meet fellow members of the 'class of 2005' and experts on cruising to Mexico, to eat lots of good munchies (until they run out), to buy drinks at the yacht club bar, and, as mentioned before, to get hooked up if you haven't already. Just Mexico-cruising-curious? That's okay, you're welcome too. All the info can be found on the Crew Party Web page: www.latitude38.com/crewlist/CrewParty/CrewParty.html.

And yes, it is too late to get on the Mexico-Only Crew List. For more info on crew lists, see our crew list index page: www.latitude38.com/crewlist/Crew.html.

Then Go to the Christening!

October 3 - Pt. Richmond

You may have admired her at the Big Boat Series - here's your chance to see her christened.

You are invited to the christening of Moneypenny, the first Swan 601 Class in America, on Saturday October 8, 2005, 5-8 p.m., at KKMI in Point Richmond. A cocktail reception will precede the christening and tour of Moneypenny, as well as a short film biography about Pekka Koskenkla, founder of Nautor in Finland, and his dream. 

Additionally, you will be able to view famous world-class racing yachts such as Morning Glory, the 86-ft sloop that just broke the record to Hawaii, and BMW Oracle Racing's America's Cup yacht USA-49, sailed by Larry Ellison, both of which will be on display during this event.

For more information, or to RSVP (by Wednesday, October 5), contact Erica Kaplan at (510) 235-5564 ext. 125.