Ha-Ha’ers Gather at Ullman Sails

Ever thought about doing the Baja Ha-Ha rally? Are you considering joining this year’s fleet?

If you are — and you’re in Southern California — we’d strongly encourage you to attend a free gathering Wednesday, May 26 at Ullman Sails, Newport Beach. Latitude 38‘s Managing Editor Andy Turpin will be on hand to host a fun and informative seminar on this year’s rally. After his digital slide show, there will be plenty of time to pick his brains — he’s done 14 previous Ha-Ha’s — about details of the event, as well as pre-rally prep and post-rally cruising. He’ll also be happy to share info on the 2011 Pacific Puddle Jump.

• When: May 26, 6:30 p.m.
• Where: Ullman Sails Newport Beach, 2710 S. Croddy Way, Santa Ana (map)
•  RSVP (or for more information): (714) 432-1860 or email.

Meanwhile, online entries for Ha-Ha 17 continue to grow. Early indications are that this will be a fleet full of colorful characters, as evidenced by the entry for the San Francisco-based Tayana 47 El Tiburon. Owners Darrell Erickson and Sarah Powell write. "I gotta tell you, I was just about dying from food poisoning on May 3 when I signed up for the 2010 Ha-Ha — but there was no way I was going to miss early registration. We are number 10, so diligence paid off!

"I am not entirely sure what I wrote on the sign-up sheet, though. Did I mention that when we were married 13 years ago at Stanford we had a sailing pledge written into our vows? Together we promised to ‘walk the docks in search of the elusive perfect boat until our topsiders were bare.’ Several pairs of shoes and four boats later, we are pretty darn happy with our Tayana 47."

At this writing, the roster of entries has risen to more than 80, with more would-be voyagers signing up every day. As always, the entry deadline is September 10. The start of leg one (at San Diego) will be Monday, October 25, and the Award Ceremony in Cabo will be Saturday, November 6. Won’t you join us?