Onward!

September 12 - San Francisco Bay Area

Despite the horrific terrorist attack on New York City and the Pentagon, we are resuming publishing 'Lectronic Latitude today. While it may seem callous to some, we believe it's a mistake to think you can't grieve - particularly if you didn't personally know anyone who was killed or injured in the tragedy - and carry on at the same time. In fact, we think it's essential that everyone do both to the greatest degree possible. The two biggest contributions average Americans can make is to give blood and to carry on as normally as possible - at least in our opinion.

The attack on the World Trade Center was as much an attack on the country's economic system as it was on the people inside the buildings. So as odd as it might sound, one of the strongest ways to respond to this greatest terrorist attack in history is to continue to spend money as you otherwise would have. Go out to dinner. Buy a new set of foul weather gear. Get your hair done. Continuing to spend money in a responsible way is as patriotic now as scraping rubber off the pavement was back in World War II. In addition, if you're in the markets, support them once they reopen. Bailing would probably not only be foolish because most of the negative effects of the tragedy would have been factored in, but it would put your interests as an individual ahead of the country's.

Despite the recent national tragedy, St. Francis Yacht Club announced today that they will hold an abbreviated version of the 38th Big Boat Series, i.e., five races over Saturday and Sunday, with registration beginning on Friday. Other weekday events are canceled. Several of the Farr 40 owners and big boat owners - among them Roy Disney - have already withdrawn from the downsized Series. Please see the yacht club's Web site (www.stfyc.com) for the official statement.

From Ed Ekers: "While I agree with you that our lives have been disrupted and we should do all we can to not break our normal routine, I must disagree with the notion the Big Boat Series should go on. I am scheduled to race in this series and can't begin to think how I will be able to leave my loved ones for four days to go have fun. Routine, yes. Laugh, joke and celebrate, I don't think so."

We understand your decision, Ed. We would only point out that we think it's possible to have a Big Boat Series that is more of a tribute to those who lost their lives rather than a normal Big Boat Series of laughing, joking and drinking.

From Jane Goldsmith on Kauai: "Your comments are always so thoughtful that I checked to see what you had to say about yesterday's events. Thank you for being consistent. We must not let these terrorists keep us from doing our daily jobs or whatever is our routine. I heard a woman who had been in London during the bombings of World War II say that continuing with their daily lives and not letting the enemy be in control is what kept them strong."

While it's surely different in many respects, the current crisis is our London Blitz, our Pearl Harbor. Stand tall.

Highways & Honky Tonks . . . and the Ha-Ha

September 12 - Baja Ha-Ha World Headquarters

What we've got here is the latest CD from Heather Myles, who is described as the "Honky tonkiest gal in country music." She's the real deal, too, and her totally country CD includes a duet with Merle Haggard. We mention Heather because she's one of the 121 folks who signed up for this year's Ha-Ha by Monday's deadline. Heather will be sailing south aboard her Robert Perry designed Islander 32 Desire along with crewmembers Sandy Desoto and Marlene Proctor. We hope Heather brings her guitar - and her cute country outfit.

Speaking of the Ha-Ha, here are entries 91 through 100:

91) Wild Cat / F/J 46 Cat / Frank and Tina Waters / Newport Beach
92) Cat Ballou / Catana 42 Cat / Chuck Longanecker / Sausalito
93) Mikelali / Trawler 42 / Greg Rodgers / Oakland
94) Minor Threat / Catalina 34 / Earl Ford / Los Altos
95) Siren's Song / Brewer Oceanic 43 / Ruck & Linde Goldreyer / Marina del Rey
96) Mistress / Swan 53 / Tom Lafleur / Rancho Santa Fe
97) Jo Jo / Bayliner 45 / Greg Heinrich / Huntington Beach
98) Sea Horse / Tayana 37 / Patrick and Lisa McVeg / Kingman, AZ
99) Air Ops / Amel Maramu 46 / David & Merry Wallace / Rancho Murieta
100) Windarra / Stevens 47 / Rich Jablonski & Elaine Cashar / Bainbridge Island

Right now we're in the middle of writing up the bios for all the skippers of the Ha-Ha, and you can't imagine the variety. In addition to singer-songwriter Heather, we've got corporation presidents, lots of young skippers, folks who struck it rich in dot coms, folks who got fired from dot coms, and lots and lots of folks who have decided to retire early. You can read all about them in the October issue of Latitude 38. For more information on the event, see www.baja-haha.com.

Crew List Party Changed to October 10

September 12 - Alameda

Latitude's Fall Crew List Party and Ha-Ha Kick-Off and Reunion was scheduled for October 4 at the Encinal Yacht Club in Alameda. Due to a scheduling error, the date has been changed to Wednesday, October 10. Please alert your friends. We will make every effort to contact everyone on the Crew List and entering the Ha-Ha. More information and directions are available via our Crew List Web page.

Fantastic Fund-Raising for Ha-Ha Sister City

September 12 - San Blas, Mexico

The accompanying photo is of Capt. Norm Goldie of San Blas, Mexico, along with Asuncion and his mother. Last year a $400 charter on Profligate in the middle of the Ha-Ha resulted in 1,500 items of clothing being purchased for the residents of impoverished Caleras de Cofrados, and Asuncion being sent to learn Braille.

A short time ago, Rennie Waxlax and Anne Blunden of the Swan 65 Casseopia enclosed $300 for the project. The couple, who will be doing their second Ha-Ha this year, say they are happy to contribute because it's a good cause and because Norm helped them with a minor problem in San Blas.

Then two days ago, Michael Beattie and Patricia Goldman of the Gemini 32 cat Miki G. stopped by, and despite not having a lot of money, gave us a check for $1,000 for the same project. The catch is, we have to raise a matching $1,000 in order to cash it. So if any of you want to contribute any money now, it's actually worth twice as much.

The sign the girl in green is holding reads, "Thanks cruisers."
Photos Courtesy Norm Goldie

YOTREPS

September 12 - 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

September 12 - 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.