Photo of the Day

January 22 - Sausalito

Today's Photo of the Day is of Scott Duncan of Sausalito, who intends to be the first legally blind person to sail around the world. He's going to warm up for the endeavor by sailing to Hawaii this fall - he'll be the second legally blind person to do that - then take off around the world starting in September of 2004.

"I have a rich history of employment in the blindness field including starting the largest assistive technology distribution business in the country for people who are blind or low vision. I sold the company a year ago to pursue my circumnavigation effort. There are many reasons for undertaking this challenge, but the primary reason is to set an example for all people, that disability does not have to limit one's abilities. I have always accomplished my major goals and I am confident that I will succeed with my circumnavigation."

What's it mean to be legally blind? Check out the two photos below.

Normal vision

The same scene as Scott sees it

Photos Courtesy Scott Duncan

For more information, check out www.blindsailing.com.

What Happened to Our F-31 Trimaran?

January 22 - Punta Gorda, BCS

Al and Cindy Pagel of Bend, Oregon, also have a home a little to the east of San Jose del Cabo, BCS. Each winter they trailer their F-31 down to Loreto, where they put it in the water and have a great time sailing down to the Cape. Once there, they leave it anchored out four miles west of Punta Gorda for the season. But now it's gone.

Cindy reports that although it was dead calm with a full moon on the night of January 20, the boat wasn't there on the morning of the 21st. It's possible that it was stolen, although she thinks it's also possible that one of the many pangas in the area severed the anchor line by accident. Whatever the case, the line was cut. The boat didn't have any of the gear necessary to take it out of the water, so either it's been stolen and is sailing around, or is drifting, most likely somewhere to the southeast of San Jose del Cabo.

The Pagels would appreciate it if you'd keep an eye out for their boat, ID number CSR30183J001. It has no name on it. If you're the first to find it and notify Markel, their insurance company, you may be awarded $10,000. Call Cindy at (541) 410-4820.

New Marinas in Mexico?

January 22 - Mexico

There are always rumors about new marinas in Mexico - and we're not talking about the 'nautical stairway' marinas. For example, Cindy Pagel tells us that she thinks they are starting trenching for a new marina in San Jose del Cabo. Such a marina has long been rumored, but does anybody know for sure whether or not it's going to happen?

Similarly, every year we hear reports that there's going to be a big new marina built at La Cruz in Banderas Bay. Does anybody know if this is really happening, or if it's the same old B.S.?

The Swiss with a Grass Skirt

January 22 - Auckland, NZ

New Zealand's America's Cup boats have been fitted with 'hula' skirts, and it's now been revealed that one of Alinghi's boats has been fitted with one also for testing. Alinghi has the right to modify the boat they used in the Louis Vuitton for the America's Cup Finals, so it's possible there will be two hula boats going at it.

You know how nuts the Kiwis are for sailing? The same can't be said for the Swiss. It's been said that if Alinghi wins the America's Cup, there absolutely won't be any ticker tape parade down the streets of Geneva. The Swiss may be good at a lot of things, but passion isn't one of them.

Island in the Estuary?

January 22 - Alameda

Here's a picture of the Oakland Estuary that Jean-Philippe Rabeux "from Saint Jean" took while sailing his Tartan 26 on the afternoon of January 12. The blob sort of looks like a little island, but Jean-Philippe assures us that it's a whale. In fact, it was moving around so much he had a hard time capturing even this much, thanks to the slow shutter on his digital camera.

YOTREPS

January 22 - The Pacific Ocean and Cyberspace

Who is out making passages in the Pacific and what kind of weather are they having? The YOTREPS daily yacht tracking page has moved to www.bitwrangler.com/psn.

Weather Updates

January 22 - 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.

The National Weather Service site for San Francisco Bay is at www.wrh.noaa.gov/Monterey.

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/Maps/Southwest.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 views of sea states anywhere in the world, see http://www.oceanweather.com/data.