'Lectronic Index

Previous 'Lectronic Edition

Photo of the Day

December 1 - Santa Cruz/Bay Area

The Walton Lighthouse at the entrance to Santa Cruz Harbor is dressed for the holidays.
Photo Rich Carlson

Bay Area Lighted Boat Parades

As soon as all the leftover turkey is gone, it's time for one of the more popular Christmas traditions to begin: lighted boat parades. Nearly every city even remotely close to a body of water hosts one, and we in the Bay Area are blessed with a number of opportunities to see - and join - boats of all shapes and sizes strutting their holiday wear.

We've tracked down a number of local parades, which are all listed below and in the Calendar section of the December issue of Latitude 38, but it's certainly not comprehensive so check with your local Chamber of Commerce if you don't see your area listed. Or just take a drive along the waterfront around sunset - all lighted boat parades start at sunset - on December 2, 9, 15 or 16 - until you spot neon Santas and Rudolphs dashing across the water. And don't forget the cocoa!

Dec. 2
Oakland/Alameda Estuary hosted by Encinal YC, Oakland YC and Marina Village. Info, www.encinal.org, www.oaklandyachtclub.com or (510) 522-3272.
San Francisco (McCovey Cove to Ferry Building) hosted by South Beach YC. Info, www.southbeachyc.org.
Vallejo waterfront hosted by Vallejo YC. Info, (707) 643-1254 or email.

Dec. 9
Berkeley Pier into marina hosted by Berkeley YC. Info, email Tom.
Petaluma River hosted by Petaluma YC. Info, (707) 775-3636.
Pillar Point hosted by Half Moon Bay YC. Info, www.hmbyc.org or (650) 725-2120.
Sausalito waterfront hosted by Sausalito YC. Info, (415) 331-7204.

Dec. 15
San Francisco Fort Mason west to Crissy Field, east to Pier 39 and back to StFYC. Hosted by StFYC. Info John McNeill.

Dec. 16
Loch Lomond waterfront (San Rafael) hosted by Loch Lomond YC. Info, (415) 459-9811.
San Leandro waterfront hosted by San Leandro Marina. Info, (510) 357-7447.

- latitude / ld

December Issue Hits the Docks

December 1 - Mill Valley

Photo Latitude/Annie

The December issue of Latitude 38 came out yesterday. Get yours at all the usual places. Subscriptions are also available, both on newsprint by mail and on e-Books online. See www.latitude38.com/admin/subsform.html and www.latitude38.com/ebooks.html.

- latitude / cw

Post Baja Ha-Ha Governor's Race Brings Cruisers to CostaBaja

December 1 - La Paz, BCS

Each year, after the Baja Ha-Ha cruiser's rally concludes at Cabo San Lucas, almost the entire fleet disperses toward Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and La Paz. This year, the latter port attracted the largest partition of the fleet, drawn to the town's recently completed Marina CostaBaja by its inaugural Governor's Race and Party.

While actual 'racing' was a minor portion of the event, some 225 Ha-Ha veterans were treated to a feast of traditional Mexican cuisine, in addition to live music and a special screening of the film Ocean Oasis, originally an IMAX production which celebrates the biological and geographical wonders of the Sea of Cortez.

CostaBaja's cruiser feast was supplied by a top Cabo caterer.
Photo Wayne Hilbig

Indications are that the CostaBaja Governor's Cup will likely become an annual post-Ha-Ha event.

- latitude / aet

Something Smells in San Diego

December 1 - San Diego

It appears a three-year-old high-rise barracks on San Diego Naval Base has inadvertently been releasing raw sewage into a storm drain that connects to Chollas Creek which, in turn, empties into San Diego Bay. During construction, workers mistakenly hooked up a 10-inch sewage line to the storm drain instead of a nearby sewer line, causing 14 million gallons of crap to flow into the Bay over the past three years.

The sewage connection was fixed last week and the storm drain is being cleaned but the controversy isn't over. Residents are planning a protest at the next public Port Commission meeting on Tuesday, December 5, at 1:00 p.m.

- latitude / ld

Big Winds + Big Rocks = Big Trouble

December 1 - La Paz, BCS

Fast Forward was saved by other cruisers after blowing up on the rocks.
Photo Summer Wind

Larry and Diana Clark, who are in La Paz on Summer Wind, reminds us all to maintain a careful anchor watch, especially when the winds pick up. "A big 'Norther' blew through La Paz last night and is still blowing today, but calming some. Fast Forward dragged anchor onto the sea wall and rocks by Marina de La Paz in the middle of the night. The Mexican Navy and local cruisers responded after daylight, did some pumping and was able to pull her off and get her tied to a marina dock."

- latitude / ld

Opti Clinic at Tiburon YC

December 1 - Tiburon

The Optimist dinghy has become the most popular training boat for kids.
Photo Jan Pehrson

Calling all kids for a day of sailing! Tiburon YC will be running an Optimist Clinic on Sunday, December 17. If you're between the ages of 8 and 13 and have never sailed before or are not yet confident enough to sail solo in an Optimist dinghy, we want to help educate you and develop some sailing skills.

The day will start with a chalk talk from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., then off to the water for some sailing from 11:00 to 1:00. The cost of the clinic is $35. It will be followed by Santa's Workshop from 2:00 to 5:00. For more info, please call (415) 389-8224.

- Lesa Gutenkunst, TYC