Sailors' Ingenuity Pt. II

October 19, 2011 – Seattle

(Click on the photo to enlarge it.) At first glance, Espresso's bowsprit looks like any other. © 2013 Peter Petraitis

In the October 3 edition of 'Lectronic Latitude, we asked readers for some of the more ingenious modifications they've made to their boats. Paul Petraitis shared some of the very cool addiitons he's made over the past 20 years to his meticulously maintained Seattle-based CT 41 PH Espresso.

But a custom-cut pulpit and beefy hinge save Peter more than $1,000 each year. © 2013 Peter Petraitis

"I made a big ol' stainless steel hinge for my bowsprit," Paul writes. "When it's down and pulled tight by the bobstay, whiskers and forestay, it's in column and very strong, plus it saves me about $100 a month in slip fees!

Drain holes in the 'beer can holders' and a molded-in dome light make this hard dodger pretty unique. © 2013 Peter Petraitis

"Recently, my buddy Don Mitchell and I built a hardtop dodger that has a gutter all the way around to catch water. The water is directed into two drains/beer can holders and from there it can be funneled anywhere. A dome light was incorporated on the underside and we molded up some cool stereo speaker mounts with the wires hidden in the tubing. All that's left is for my awesome wife Allison to sew up a custom canvas window."

With water-directing gutters and custom-built speaker boxes, all the dodger needs now is a little isinglass. © 2013 Peter Petraitis

If you've made similarly unusual mods to your boat, email photos and descriptions to LaDonna.

- latitude / ld

Quantum Leap Rescue Caught on Video

October 19, 2011 – Hilo, Hawaii

As reported last Wednesday, Washington state-based sailor Phillip Johnson, 62, and two crewmen were rescued 600 miles off Hawaii by staff of the 815-ft cruise ship Celebrity Century.

Johnson, a retired U.S. Navy airman with 40 years of sailing experience, suffered serious spinal injuries when his 48-ft aluminum sailboat Quantum Leap was broached by an irregular wave during a night of rough weather. After the crew called the US Coast Guard's Honolulu office for help via their satellite phone, the 1,800-passenger cruiseliner was diverted and, as you can see in this on-board video, the three sailors were safely brought aboard. As far as we know, Quantum Leap remains adrift, unattended.

The Celebrity Century is one of many cruise ships and international cargo vessels — as well as virtually all international airlines — that voluntarily participate in the AMVER system (originally known as the Atlantic Merchant Vessel Emergency Reporting System), which has been responsible the saving countless lives since its inception in the late 1950s.

- latitude / at

Ad: AC World Series - San Diego

October 19, 2011 – San Diego, CA

© 2013 / www.americascup.com/sandiego

The America’s Cup World Series lands in San Diego in less than 25 days – Nov. 12-20.

You don’t want to miss this extreme experience – cutting edge wing-sailed catamarans flying at speeds over 30 miles per hour; short, sharp, intense races on courses squeezed into the Bay to ensure close action; and a mix of fleet and match racing, testing the abilities of the best sailing teams in the world.

Join the excitement in San Diego within the AC Village on Harbor Drive, where spectators will be able to see the racing from Broadway Pier, as well as from Harbor Island to the north, offering one of the best views of the course.

For more information, race schedule and preferred ticket options, visit www.americascup.com/sandiego.

Free Mainsail From 63-ft Catamaran

October 19, 2011 – Discoll Boat Yard, San Diego

It doesn't look like much here, but for all we know, Profligate's old main might end up as a number of tents for people at next year's Burning Man. Photo Latitude / Richard © 2013 Latitude 38 Publishing, LLC

Not wanting to unnecessarily add to San Diego's landfill, and knowing people have all kinds of creative second uses for things or parts of things, she's for sale for $1 — as is, where is, you take her away before 7 a.m. on Monday. Mind you, she weighs well over 200 lbs and is a beast to move. You'll want four strong guys and a cart to take her away.

If you are seriously interested and are ready to pick her up immediately, email Richard — NOT Driscoll's.

And if any of you have come up with creative uses for old sails, we'd love to hear about them.

- latitude / rs

Weekend Racing Preview

October 19, 2011 – San Francisco Bay

Pink Boat Regatta Chair Tom Watson and his pink Pearson Triton Darwind have removed themselves from the competition for the pinkest boat -- fortunately enough for the rest of the field this weekend. Photo Courtesy Darwind © 2013 Latitude 38 Publishing, LLC

The penultimate weekend of the Bay's summer racing season is upon us, and for the first time this month, it's a light one as far as the number of events are concerned. That's a good thing for the three larger events on the schedule. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and two events — the Golden Gate YC's Ruth Gordon Schnapp Regatta on Saturday and the Corinthian YC's Pink Boat Regatta on Sunday — will be flying that flag . . . or ribbon, as it were. The Pink Boat Regatta has already garnered sponsors like KKMI, West Marine, Easom Rigging and Racing, Holly Chamness Inc., TAP Plastics, Thermidor SF and Predict Wind, plus almost 20 entries with more likely to come in only its first year! Chair Tom Watson described the event's novel format:

"This race is unique in that we will race for three hours, and you get one point for each buoy you round before the time is up," he said. "We will correct-out using inverse PHRF, with the high score winning. To encourage the spirit of donation, you can 'buy a buoy for the girls'. You can buy as many points as you want or your friends can donate them for you. We will give prizes for the pinkest boat, most points, most buoys, least buoys, class ranking on points and a poker draw with cards earned per actual buoy rounded."

The St. Francis YC's Fall Dinghy & Olympic Classes Regatta is the other biggie this weekend. Sixty-nine boats have already signed up — 29ers, 420s, 505s, Finns, Laser Radials, Laser Full Rigs, and Wetas.

- latitude / rg