'Lectronic Index

Previous 'Lectronic Edition

Photo of the Day: Ultimate Rules Lesson

March 16 - San Francisco Bay

Photos Latitude/JR
©2007 Latitude 38 Publishing Co., Inc.

This is why Ultimate 20 sailors never push the port-starboard issue.

- latitude / jr

Spring Dinghy Results

March 16 - San Francisco

Three against one in the Laser fleet at StFYC's Spring Dinghy regatta.
©2007 Peter Lyons/www.lyonsimaging.com

The big boats at Richmond YC's Big Daddy (see Monday's 'Lectronic) weren't the only lucky ones on the water last weekend. As you can see from the accompanying photos, small boat sailors also had spectacular conditions on the Cityfront for St. Francis YC's Spring Dinghy regatta - the middle sister of StFYC's March invitationals. The series wraps up this weekend with the Spring One Design.

There was just enough wind for 505 crews to get out on the wire.
©2007 Erik Simonson/www.h2oshots.com

Class winners from the dinghy event follow. See www.stfyc.com for complete results, and the April issue of Latitude 38 for more coverage.

Vanguard 15s just before the start
©2007 Erik Simonson/www.h2oshots.com

29er (8 boats) - Dan Brandt
505 (7 boats) - Dave Byron and Adam Lowry
FINN (13 boats) - Darrell Peck
LASER (18 boats) - Tracy Usher
LASER RADIAL (8 boats) - Claire Dennis
VANGUARD 15 (11 boats) - Harrison Turner and Rebecca Beard

- latitude / ss

Looking Good

March 16 - San Francisco Bay

Photo Latitude/JR
©2007 Latitude 38 Publishing Co., Inc.

As all the photos above show, last weekend was absolutely fantastic for sailing, and tomorrow and Sunday are looking even better. The forecast once again calls for sunny skies, mild breeze and temps in the 70s - on the Bay! Hey, it rarely gets that warm in the summer! We don't know how long this 'Indian Spring' or whatever you call it is going to last, but we encourage everyone to break the boat out of mothballs and go enjoy it. Oh, and if you see our photoboat out and about - a Bertram 28 named (temporarily) Island Fever - be sure to wave and smile.

- latitude / jr

TextMarks the Spot

March 16 - San Francisco

There's a new free tool in town for getting tide, current, and even wind conditions at several spots around the Bay. Meet TextMarks. By sending a text message to 41411 from your cell phone with a specific keyword - "sftides" for upcoming tidal info, "sfcurrents" for max and slack currents, "aiwind" for the current and recent wind conditions at Angel Island, or "ggwind" for similar conditions at the Golden Gate - you can instantly have the info at your fingertips. Go to www.textmarks.com to see a demo, browse the complete list of TextMarks currently available, or create your own.

- latitude / ss

Miami Grand Prix Report

March 16 - Miami

With just 46 boats, it may have been smaller than in past years but last week's Acura Miami Grand Prix was no less grand in any other manner. Some of the best of the best from the Volvo, America's Cup and various world championships, and even some amateurs, came to South Florida seeking competitive racing, double-digit winds, warm air and water, and sunny skies - leave your foul weather gear at home - and that's exactly what they got. In all, racers represented 11 countries and 15 states, with a handful of folks making the trek from the Bay Area.

Dario Ferrari's Cannonball, with Cameron Appleton calling tactics, in the Farr 40 procession around the top mark.
©2007 Ingrid Abery/www.hotcapers.com

The top-notch race committee from Premiere Racing got nine races in during the four-day regatta for Farr 40s, Melges 32s, Mumm 30s, and big boats in an IRC division, and all four classes came down to the last day. Top honors went to Steve and Fred Howe's San Diego-based Warpath (Farr 40), Italian stallion Claudio Recchi's Let's Roll (Melges 32), new Volvo Ocean Race campaigner Peter De Ridder's Mean Machine (Mumm 30), and John Kilroy's star-studded TP 52 Samba Pa Ti (IRC). Warpath, with match racing phenomenon Ian Williams calling tactics, also walked away with the Rolex Farr 40 North American title and the Acura Boat of the Week honor. Although Ernesto Bertarelli's Alinghi finished fourth in the Farr 40 division in Miami, when its score was added to its performance at Key West Race Week in January, it qualified for the Acura Grand Prix Award in that fleet.

Jeff Ecklund's Star (blue kite) rolls over Let's Roll (white kite) in the Melges 32 fleet. Star, with two of the Melges boys on board, finished second to Let's Roll.
©2007 Ingrid Abery/www.hotcapers.com

For complete results and more photos, go to www.premiere-racing.com. And look for a full report of the action from South Beach in the April issue of Latitude 38.

- latitude / ss

Master Mariners' Spring Potluck

March 16 - Pt. Richmond

The MMBA uses tomorrow's Spring Potluck at Richmond YC as a good way for potential new members to come and meet the group and find out more about our organization for traditional sailing vessels. Dinner will start about 1830. Gaffers bring main dishes and casseroles. Marconis bring hors d'oeuvres, salads and/or side dishes. MMBA will supply dessert. For driving directions, click on the address at the bottom of the RYC's home page at www.richmondyc.org. For more information, contact the MMBA at (415) 364-1656.

- MMBA / ariane paul

Free Charter Boat Publicity!

March 16 - San Francisco Bay

Every year in the April issue of Latitude 38 we attempt to assemble a comprehensive list of every crewed charter yacht and bareboat available in the Greater Bay Area. But the 'C' word (comprehensive) sometimes gets us in trouble, as there are occasionally new charter operations of which we're unaware.

For special occasions, consider chartering a large 'multi-passenger' vessel such as the 90-ft schooner Bay Lady.
©2007 Rendezvous Charters

So if you have recently started offering day charters or bareboat rentals in the Bay Area, please email Andy and give us the details ASAP. Hey, we're talkin' free publicity here! And remember that because this issue of Latitude 38 coincides with the Strictly Sail Pacific boat show, it is seen by more readers than any other issue.

- latitude / aet