September 1, 2000

---

Photo of the Day

Here to Pose for Pictures and Sail Some Boats

September 1 – Sardinia, Italy They’re having the Nautor Swan Cup over at the exclusive Porto Cervo Yacht Club in Sardinia, Italy, and the rich and famous are out in force. Since we don’t know the folks on the left of the photo, we’re going to assume they’re just rich. The two folks on the right, Claudia Schiffer, noted supermodel direct from Paris, Milan and other runways, and Paul Cayard, direct from the America’s Cup and other racing venues, are famous. Come to think of it, they’re probably relatively rich, too. The most interesting aspect of the photo is the body language between Cayard, a noted family man from Marin County, and Schiffer. “We’re happy to be here and pose for some pictures,” their bodies seem to be saying, “but we sure aren’t playing footsie.” For great on the water Swan Cup action, see below.

Photo Courtesy Nautor’s Swan Cup

September 1 – Catalina Island

“During the weekend of August 12 and 13, no fewer than 15
venerable Cal 40s were identified from the Isthmus to Emerald
Bay on Catalina Island,” reports Wendy Siegel of ‘Willow
Wind’. “Unfortunately, only nine made it to the raft-up on
the morning of the 13th. As we tramped from boat to boat, over
lifelines and ducking canopies, we viewed improvements and changes
made to the interiors and deck layouts of the various vessels.
The most astonishing boat, however, was ‘Emily Ann’. She was in
the exact same condition as when she was launched. An original
brochure was on her salon table showing the original layout and
interior, and the advertising claim was made that if someone wanted
to buy and race a Cal 40, they would just have to put up with
the ‘deluxe interior’. The retail price at the time – the late
’60s – was about $28,000. Many of us wished we had the layout
of another boat, discussed engines, lamented over the fragile
v-drive, compared sailing history – and found out that Cindy and
Jack Buffa are the only original Cal 40 owners. One thing we all
have in common is that we love our boats.”

For those who came to sailing after the ’70s, the Cal 40 was a
design that turned West Coast sailing on its ear. It’s probably
among the five most influential American boat designs.

Cal 40s rafted up at Catalina Island last month.
Photo Courtesy Wendy Siegel

---

Weather Updates

September 1 – Pacific and Atlantic Oceans

Tropical Weather

It’s relatively calm in the Eastern Pacific, although Tropical
Storm John and No Name, both with winds under 30 knots, are making
their way toward the Hawaiian Islands. Since they are passing
over warmer water, the chances of them developing into worse storms
is relatively slight. In the Atlantic/Caribbean, all is calm.

San Francisco Bay Weather

To see what the winds are like on the Bay right now, check
out http://sfports.wr.usgs.gov/wind/.

California Coast Weather

Looking for current as well as recent wind and sea readings
from 17 buoys and stations between Pt. Arena and the Mexican border?
Here’s the place – which has further links to weather buoys and
stations all over the U.S.
www.ndbc.noaa.gov/stuff/southwest/swstmap.shtml

Pacific Ocean Weather

Click here to see today’s weather
map from the University of Hawaii Meteorology Department.

Pacific Sea State

Seas are normal in the Pacific. But you might check at:
http://www.mpc.ncep.noaa.gov/RSSA/PacRegSSA.html.

For another view, see http://www.oceanweather.com/data/global.html.

---

Cruising

Never to Be Seen Again

September 1 – West End, Bahamas

Remember Jared DeWitt’s photo of a wrecked boat earlier this week? Here’s the story: “I was en route from the west coast of Florida to the Abacos on my sailboat when I came across this boat [it looks like it might be a Pearson 424 or a Peterson 44] on the rocks just north of West End, Bahamas. According to the locals, a week before I arrived a couple had tried to cut across during a storm and ended up on the rocks. The locals said the wife made her husband leave the boat with everything still aboard and get in a taxi to the airport. They were never seen again. I believe the story because most of their personal items were still in the boat as I sat there.”

Photo Courtesy Jared DeWitt

YOTREPS

September 1 – The Pacific Ocean and Cyberspace

Who is out making passages in the Pacific and what kind of
weather are they having? Check out YOTREPS – ‘yacht reports’ –
at http://www.bitwrangler.com/yotreps/

---

Racing

Swan Cup

September 1 – Sardinia, Italy

Every second year in late August at Porto Cervo on Sardinia’s
Costa Smeralda, the owners of ‘the world’s most versatile racer-cruisers’
gather for their flagship event, the Swan Cup. This year, thanks
to a booming world economy, there are a record 99 entries between
39 and 86 feet. Although they’ve come from around the world, 19
of them are from the UK, 18 from Italy, and 15 from France. Many
of the boats are being driven by the top helmsmen in the world.

Photos Carlo Borlenghi After four of the five races, the Swan 68 ‘Defiance’, with Dee Smith of Northern California showing the way, had a comfortable grip on first place. It wasn’t easy, however, as Le Mistral was blowing, bringing 27 to 40 true knots of wind, and more was expected for tomorrow’s finale. For details, visit www.swancup.com. To check out more excellent photography from Borlenghi and others, see www.seaway.it/seasee.

Weekend Preview

September 1 – The Greater San Francisco Bay Area

The busiest weekend of the busiest month for sailing on the Bay kicks off today with the first of the Big Three: the Windjammers Race. A small fleet of about 47 boats started in seven classes this morning at 11 headed for Santa Cruz in about five knots of wind against a light flood and light drizzle. The low turnout probably has to do with last year’s debacle, when only seven of the 67 entries finished due to a wind drought… Next up is the Jazz Cup, which begins off Treasure Island tomorrow at 10 a.m. So far, about 140 boats have signed up for this mellow 25-mile run up to Benicia… The third regatta, the NOOD, will take place on Saturday and Sunday. So far, 106 boats are signed up in eight one design classes (Farr 40, 1D-35, 11:Metre, J/105, Antrim 27, Express 27, Melges 24 and J/24). Racing begins at 11 a.m. off the face of Alcatraz… Anyone who sails in all three regattas wins the coveted ‘Iron Man’ award, an honor just a shade under Rolex Yachtsman of the Year. Be sure to smile and wave if you see our photoboat!

Something for everyone: NOOD for hardcore one-design…

Windjammers for ocean buffs…

and Jazz Cup for the PHRF masses.

Photos Latitude/Rob