'Lectronic Index

Previous 'Lectronic Edition

Photo of the Day

March 24 - Gulf of the Farallones

Photo Lucie Mewes

Our photo of the day is of Ben Mewes driving Georgia back toward the Golden Gate during last Saturday's 25th Annual Doublehanded Lightship Race. Despite frustratingly light wind within San Francisco Bay, as you can see, the fleet enjoyed nice breeze outside on the ocean.

We'll have a photo feature in the April issue of Latitude 38, due out a week from today, on March 31. For complete race results, see Island Yacht Club's Web site at www.iyc.org.

The Burning of the Socks

March 24 - Mill Valley

Photo Latitude/Richard

Just what the hell are these crazy people up to? Are they members of a new cult that sacrifices footwear to the porcelain god? Are barbecued socks the new diet fad? Or are they simply wacko? Find out in the April issue of Latitude 38!

She Works a Little Bit

March 24 - Alameda

When a wooden boat guy tells you, "She works a little bit," he's not referring to his wife's part-time job at the video store. He means that wood boats leak a little bit. Even the best of them. So whenever woodies are out racing - such as this flock of Pelicans in the Estuary earlier this month - you'll often witness this scene, a crewman bailing the 'upwind' water out during the downwind leg.

The 'designated bailer' aboard one entry in a recent Pelican race
Photo Latitude/LaDonna

World's Largest and Fastest Trimaran Hauls out in San Diego

March 24 - San Diego

After Geronimo's recent victorious record setting in the Los Angeles to Honolulu Transpacific Challenge of four days, 19 hours, 31 minutes, and 37 seconds, it took Driscoll Boat Works and Marco Crane only 2 hours and 23 minutes to lift out this 42,500 pound sailing trimaran on Tuesday evening.

Photo Courtesy Driscoll Boat Works

Led by Frenchman Didier Ragot and six of Geronimo's crew, a 200-ton hydro crane lifted the vessel at the Driscoll docks. "It took three hours hook to hook including unstepping the mast. It was a great effort," said Geronimo Logistics Coordinator Rob Stirling. The 111-ft long, 70-ft wide maxi tri was lifted and spun 180 degrees in mid-air, lowered down, and blocked for its upcoming repairs at Driscoll Boat Works.

Geronimo's Skipper Olivier de Kersauson and his crew of eleven will attempt to add another record to their repertoire in April as they sail from San Francisco to Yokohama, Japan. Geronimo's world records include:

Los Angeles to Honolulu Challenge, November 2005
Tahiti Nui Challenge, August 2005
Around Australia, July 2005
Jules Verne Trophy, 1997 and 2003 (Record now held by Orange II)

See www.superyachting.com for more.

Match Racing in Marseille

March 24 - Marseille, France

These exciting sailing photos come to us from the South of France, where the Marseille International Match Race, put on by the Yachting Club de la Pointe Rouge (YCPR), is currently underway in Marseille's Southern Bay, wrapping up on Sunday. For more on the event, see the club's Web site at www.ycpr.com (in English and French). For more fabulous photos, see www.martin-raget.com (available in French and English).

Photos Gilles Martin-Raget

Become a Part of Yacht Club History!

March 24 - Punta Mita, Mexico

Come by boat, bus, or plane to celebrate the founding of the Punta Mita Yacht and Surf Club this Monday, March 27, at 6 p.m. at Margaritas Restaurant. We have no idea how many people will show up, but Philo - of Philo's Music Studio, Bar, and Restaurant in La Cruz - has promised to be there with his guitar. What's more, we hope to inaugurate a new high speed wireless setup for the Punta Mita anchorage.

Stick around for the 'Pirates for Pupils Spinnaker Run' on March 28, a 12-mile spinnaker run for charity founded by Latitude 38 to benefit the schools in Punta Mita and the shoreline of the north coast of Banderas Bay. All anybody has to do to participate is sign up at the Vallarta YC at Paradise Marina and donate $25 or more per person. We'll personally make sure you get on a big cat. Historically, the Pirates for Pupils course has been one of the sweetest sails in Mexico. Did we mention that everybody is supposed to dress up in their best pirate garb for the lunch at Dorado Restaurant from noon to 1:30 p.m. preceding the sail?

Flyers will be passed around the local marinas, or contact Ronnie on VHF 22A or the Puerto Vallarta Yacht Club to sign up.