Photos of the Day

August 31 - Cowes, UK

Today's photos are from the recently completed America's Cup Jubilee in Cowes, England.

Beer drinking was as big as the boats in Cowes,
with 150 taps lined up in a row.

In Europe, classic yachts are considered treasures.

The 12-Meter dock

Why Not Cruise India?

August 31 - Goa, India

"I traveled to India back in April for the wedding of a former grad school roommate," writes Peter Kacandes of Menlo Park. "The wedding was close to Goa, which is the part of India that was colonized by Portuguese traders. The attached picture of the defunct-looking building for the Goa Yachting Association was the only sign I found of a local sailing presence. I was kind of surprised that not many cruisers stop in India. I was wondering if you might have any insight as to why everyone seems to head straight across the Indian Ocean. Are cruisers so spoiled these days that they don't stop anywhere without all the amenities/facilities catering to yachties? Otherwise, it certainly seemed like there were many places in India that could be fertile ground for interesting cruising for those who are willing to be a little adventurous. Thoughts?"

The problem is not that there aren't adventurous cruisers, but rather that India apparently has the world's most difficult bureaucracy for boats. The burden is so great all but a few cruisers just give up. If not for that, we suspect that many folks would gladly cruise to Goa, which along with Ibiza, Spain, and San Francisco were always the main stops on the famous 'Hippie Trail'.

Photo Peter Kacandes

The September Latitude 38 Is Now Out

August 31 -
SF Bay Area

It's a whopper, too, with 285 pages.

Photo
Latitude/Chris

Labor Day Weekend and the Jazz Cup

August 31 - San Francisco Bay and Carquinez Strait

Lots of racing and cruising is on tap for what looks like the nice weather of Labor Day Weekend. The biggest action will be in tomorrow's Jazz Cup from Treasure Island to Benicia. More than 125 boats have signed up. The Bay Area Multihull Association will be responding with a race back the next day for multihulls only.

Bob Medd Trust Fund

August 31 - Calgary, Canada

A trust fund has been set up for Bob Medd of Canada, who had his throat slashed by two Mexican fishermen while sailing in the Sea of Cortez earlier this month. Medd, now miraculously recovering in Canada, lost his boat and everything on it - which was pretty much all he owned. "I suppose I need to get my throat repaired and find a job," he says. This can be helped with a contribution. For details, visit www.bobmeddfund.org. "Two unsavory people have interrupted my dream. This incident is not a reflection on Mexico. I love Mexico, and look forward to returning to my voyage and the shores of Baja as soon as possible."

YOTREPS

August 31 - 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/

Weather Updates

August 31 - Pacific Ocean

San Francisco Bay Weather

To see what the winds are like on the Bay and just outside the Gate 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 Winds and Pressure

The University of Hawaii Dept. of Meteorology page posts a daily map of the NE Pacific Ocean barometric pressure and winds.

Pacific Sea State

Check out the Pacific Ocean sea states at: http://www.mpc.ncep.noaa.gov/RSSA/PacRegSSA.html.
For another view, see http://www.oceanweather.com/data/global.html.