'Lectronic Index

Previous 'Lectronic Edition

Photos of the Day

August 14 - Angel Island

The crew of this unidentified sailboat try to fend off the rocks.
Photo Paul Marak

By most accounts, Saturday's rowdy conditions made for Class A sailing. But the day ended badly for at least three unlucky sailors. The three were aboard an unidentified sailboat that ran into Angel Island Saturday afternoon for unknown reasons. We don't know much about the incident at this time but fellow Bay sailor Paul Marak was ready with his camera just after the boat hit the rocks. He reports the Coasties arrived on the scene within minutes but did not attempt to pull the boat off, and that the crew were unharmed.

Photo Latitude/Andy

We think it's important to share the details of events such as this so others can learn how to handle similar situations.

- latitude / ld

Getting into the Act

August 14 - San Francisco Bay

Grinder bashes around the weather mark in the Melges 24 fleet.

'Act 1' of San Francisco YC's Summer Keelboat Series got underway this past weekend, with boats in the Melges 24, Express 27, Etchells and J/24 classes enjoying 20-knot breezes and ripping current conditions on the Berkeley Circle. Nobody went home dry from this one.

Nothing Ventured, Aqua Nut and Matilda put the pedal to the medal.

Results had not been posted at 'Lectronic Latitude 'press time.' Look for them later today or tomorrow at www.sfyc.org. The Summer Keel series wraps up next weekend with Act 2, featuring the 1D-35, J/120, Express 37 and J/105 fleets.

- latitude / jr

The Etchells fleet heads downwind. Great breeze made for great sailing in all classes.

The J/24 TMC Racing bashes a wet one.
Photos Latitude/JR

The Need for Speed

August 14 - San Francisco Bay

We're sorry to report that over the weekend, the Harding Rock buoy was cited for speeding - again. Apparently the joyriding buoy has little regard for the safety of nearby boaters as it goes zooming around off Angel Island. It was also ticketed for not posting an adequate lookout.

latitude / jr

The Harding Rock Buoy is the fastest mark on the Bay.
Photo Latitude/JR

Beth Leonard to Speak at St. Francis YC

August 14 - San Francisco Bay

A meticulously outfitted and maintained globe-girdler peacefully anchored in Paradise Cove

One thing we love about sailing on San Francisco Bay is meeting cruisers who pass through the area. A few days ago, we had the pleasure of having tea with Beth Leonard and Evans Starzinger in Paradise Cove aboard their custom 47-ft Van de Stadt Hawk. Former "Type A" corporate consultants, the pair have circumnavigated twice in the past 15 years, logging more than 90,000 miles, and are well known in cruising circles from Beth's many articles in sailing magazines as well as her three books: The Voyager's Handbook (its second edition will be released this fall), Following Seas, and the upcoming Blue Horizons. They'll be in the area until the end of the month when they continue south on their way to Chile.

A map on Hawk's bulkhead shows the course of their travels, first aboard their previous boat Silk (red) and then on Hawk (blue).

In the meantime, Bay Area sailors have two chances to see them speak. You can catch them this Wednesday at St. Francis YC's Yachtsmen's Luncheon, where they will talk about "trading the fast-track and executive suites for round the world voyages of personal discovery." For more details, contact the office at (415) 563-6363. For those of you who don't know, St. Francis hosts a speaker luncheon for yacht club members (any yacht club, not just St. Francis) every Wednesday at noon, featuring top notch speakers and terrific food - all for a mere $12. If you can't make it Wednesday, you can also see them at San Francisco YC on August 23. Call (415) 435-9133 for more info.

- latitude / lb

Beth Leonard and Evans Starzinger pose aboard Hawk with their intrepid twice-around-the-world crew Leonardo.
Photos Latitude/LaDonna

Alternative-Fuel Power Boat to Arrive Wednesday

August 14 - San Francisco

The range of vessels plying Bay waters on a typical day is wildly diverse. But the arrival Wednesday of a revolutionary wave-piecing motor boat called Earthrace will make all others seem commonplace.

The tri-hulled 78-footer is built of carbon fiber and Kevlar, using techniques borrowed from the military aircraft industry, she is powered exclusively by biodiesel, a fuel made from plant matter and animal fats that produces low emissions and is biodegradable. Earthrace is currently circumnavigating via the Panama and Suez Canals in an attempt to break a world record, while raising awareness of alternative fuels.

We usually associate weird-looking silvery vessels with the French, but this one is the product of New Zealand's Craig Loomis Design Group. She was built in the land of the Kiwi by Calibre Boats.

Earthrace will be on display at Pier 39 on Friday Aug. 18 through Sunday Aug 20. For further info, see www.earthrace.net.

- latitude / aet