Skip to content

Next Stop, Nuku Hiva

John and Nancy Powers of the Napa-based Tayana 48 Meridian are planning to give their daughters, Maddie (L), 8, and Sophie, 6, an education in the school of life.

latitude/Andy
©2008 Latitude 38 Media, LLC

Although the word ‘paradise’ is perhaps the most overused descriptor in the lexicon of travel writers, few places are more deserving of that moniker than the islands of French Polynesia. This fact was reinforced in both Zihuatanejo and Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico, last week at Pacific Puddle Jump kick-off parties sponsored jointly by Latitude 38 and Tahiti Tourisme — and hosted by Rick’s Bar and the Vallarta YC, respectively.

The crew of 59th Street Bridge had a similar idea. Their “first class passengers” will be anxious to meet the other cruising kids, out in the islands.

latitude/Andy
©2008 Latitude 38 Media, LLC

French sailor Stephanie Betz made a special trip out from Tahiti to welcome this year’s fleet to her spectactular islands, enticing crews with a highly-informative talk and digital slide show. By the end, everyone in attendance — including this correspondent — was ready to toss off the docklines and head west.

This year’s La Niña condition is expected to bring reinforced trades on the 3,000-mile crossing to the Marquesas, which should make for a quick and exhilarating ride. In recent years more boats have complained about not having enough wind, rather than having too much. Look for a complete report on this year’s PPJ fleet in the March issue of Latitude 38.

Leave a Comment




G2 was just one of hundreds of boats out this weekend shaking the recent rain from their sails.
We at Latitude are in need of a photo of a fish taco — preferably a particularly delicious one about to go into someone’s gaping mouth — to illustrate a letter in the March issue.