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Photos of the Day: Summer Fun at the Rhodes 19 Regatta

October 5 - San Francisco Bay

Photo of the Day

Although the Rhodes 19 was designed more than a half century ago - by Philip Rhodes, of course - it was obvious to all who witnessed the Pier 39 Rhodes 19 Invitational last weekend that these sturdy little daysailers still offer their owners big fun, especially in the rowdy Bay conditions.

According to the design's class association, it had been well over a decade since a Rhodes 19 regatta had been staged on the Bay. Consequently, the local fleet had dispersed all over Northern California, with some boats being used only rarely and a few even being abandoned. However, a recent revival resulted in the October 1-2 event, where Robert Ferro's Ridiculous took top honors after scoring bullets in each of four races.


Regatta winner Ridiculous


Never The Less
was unfortunately dismasted in the first race.


Vague Unrest
blasts past Aquatic Park
Photos Charlie Bergstedt & Christian Buhl

You can see more of Charlie's photos at http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/sfbaysailingfanatic/my_photos. For more on the Rhodes 19, see the class Web site at http://rhodes19.org.


Owners Offer Reward for Location of Abandoned Sailboat

October 5 - Vancouver, BC

On Tuesday, September 20, Blair and Marian Thomson reluctantly abandoned their Vancouver, BC-based sloop Dragon Spirit due to extreme weather conditions off the Northern California coast. Having been safely rescued themselves, they are now offering a $4,000 reward to anyone who can give them "a confirmed location that leads to recovery" of this 40-ft sloop.

Hove-to, carrying only a storm trisail, Dragon Spirit was abandoned at 41.43.03 N by 125.23.00 W, approximately 50 miles NW of Eureka, California. After conditions subsided, she was expected to drift in a southeasterly direction.

"She was our home," said the Thomsons, "and was lost at the beginning of our dream of sailing around the world. We are anxious to recover her and resume our long-awaited dream." Mariners who sight Dragon Spirit are asked to alert the U.S. Coast Guard at (707) 839-6113, the Thomsons at (250) 477-0987 or Bluewater Cruising Association officer Ron Kolody.


Dragon Spirit
Photo Courtesy the Thomsons



The Mexico Crew List Party Is Tonight

October 5 - Alameda

And we hope to see you there, at the Encinal Yacht Club in Alameda, 6-9 p.m. For all the details, see Monday's 'Lectronic or go to our Crew Party Web page: www.latitude38.com/crewlist/CrewParty/CrewParty.html.


The guests at last year's Mexico-Only Crew List Party really got into the liferaft demonstration.
Photo Latitude Archives


What's Up with the Pacific Seafarer's Net?

October 5 - Vanuatu

Having begun their nine-year cruise with Baja Ha-Ha III in the fall of '96, Jim and Nancy Hegland of the Hans Christian 41 Laughing Buddha are currently on a passage from Vanuatu to Cairns, Australia.

Last Thursday, they were a bit shocked to discover that the long-established Pacific Seafarer's Net seemed to have gone off the air, and are anxious for info on its status.

This net, notes Jim, a retired Air Force officer, "has a history of being very professionally run by a group of network controllers - all HAM radio operators, all using their own equipment and funds. The controllers operate from many locations including, the NW U.S., California, Arizona, Wisconsin, Hawaii, Australia, and New Zealand. They had integrated their 'behind the scenes' action with the Web and include YOTREPS details as well. Recently the Web site had been upgraded to include not only the position reports of boats on passage, but streaming audio of the net session as well."

Please email us if you have info on re-establishment of this net's operations.


Impact of Bottom Paint Vote yet to Be Announced

October 5 - San Diego

As reported recently, the State Water Resouces Control Board announced last month that they would be voting on a proposal to ban or curtail usage of copper bottom paint in certain areas.

According to SWRCB Information Officer Chris Davis, the resolution in question was passed on September 22, authorizing the San Diego Regional Water Board to establish a Total Maximum Daily Load for dissolved copper in the Shelter Island Yacht Basin. However, specific restrictions on copper paint useage have yet to be established.

"To figure out what the impact on the waterway is from copper paints," explained Davis, "the State Water Board is working with the Department of Pesticide Regulation, which is taking the lead on the project since the copper paints are a type of pesticide. We are looking at a long-term solution to solve the problem copper paints now address. For instance, we've already seen some encouraging research on on-metallic products that may be just as effective and economical, in the long run." Stay tuned for further developments.


KKMI to Host Fleet Week After Party

October 5 - Pt. Richmond

'Lectronic readers are invited to The Ultimate Fleet Week After Party: An Evening with Swans & Other SuperYachts. A magnificent collection of Swans and 'SuperYachts' will be on display at KKMI, including the current record holder to Hawaii, 86-ft racing sloop Morning Glory and Larry Ellison's America's Cup yacht, 80-ft BMW Oracle.


BMW Oracle

Also available to view will be the Swan 41, 60, 601 and 651; plus a 1998 96-ft luxury motor yacht and a 1992 92-ft cruising sailing yacht.

In addition, to celebrate the first Swan 601 in the United States, Moneypenny will be christened. "Please join us," writes KKMI's Paul Kaplan, "on Saturday, October 8, 2005, 5-8 p.m., at KKMI in Point Richmond. Hors d'oeuvres and a champagne reception will precede the christening."


Moneypenny
Photos Courtesy KKMI

For more information, or to RSVP (by October 7), contact Erica Kaplan (510) 235-5564 ext. 125. "Call today as there are limited reservations," adds Paul.


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