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Archive for September 2009

Sunset Quiz

September 23, 2009
We often receive fantastic sunset shots from cruisers scattered all over the globe, but this one, snapped recently by Jo Brosnan, caught our attention as being unusually spectacular. Tell us where you think it was taken — the first five correct answers get a Latitude bumper sticker! More »
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Health Insurance in Mexico

In Monday’s ‘Lectronic, we made a second-hand reference to an article about a health insurance plan in Mexico that’s available to Americans and is stunningly inexpensive yet comprehensive. We didn’t know where the article appeared but, fortunately, reader Bob Patton came to the rescue. More »

After 89 Years, Still Going Strong

Thaddeous was smitten by Cloudia’s classic lines. © Thaddeous Blanchard Some sailors have a soft spot for old wooden classics. Cap’n Thaddeous Blanchard of San Diego counts himself among them. While most boaters would be horrified at the prospect of replanking an 85-ft double-ender like Cloudia, Thaddeous has taken the challenge in stride. More »

$630K and Counting

Over a hundred boats showed up for this year’s Leukemia Cup – raising $630,000 for blood cancer research. © 2009 David Dibble The 2009 Leukemia Cup hosted by the San Francisco YC produced a lot more than winners in the 10 one-design and six handicap divisions. More »

Weekend Wrap-up

September 21, 2009
Some the world’s top talent in Nordic Folkboats was on the Bay this past week. Bay Area sailors claimed the top two spots. © 2009 Peter Lyons It was another big racing week(end) on the Bay, with no fewer than four big events that concluded over the weekend. More »

Cruisers Save the Day – and a Finger

Talk about multi-function accommodations, the salon aboard Solace was temporarily turned into an ER. © 2009 Gina Rae While cruising, one thing you can count on is the unpredictability of what each new day will bring. More »
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Windsurfer Found Dead Outside Bay

The Coast Guard recovered the body of windsurfer John ‘Bret’ Drasky, 65, on Saturday, about two hours after receiving a report of an unmanned windsurf board. A Coast Guard helicopter spotted Drasky’s wetsuit-clad body 2.5 miles west of the Golden Gate, and was recovered by a lifeboat. More »

First Solo TransPac Seminar

September 18, 2009
Have you always wanted to race to Hawaii? Do you have trouble finding offshore crew because of your "relaxed" hygiene habits? Does the likelihood of hallucinations due to lack of sleep appeal to your sense of adventure? More »

Hot Weather, Hot Deals at Oakland Show

Boats of all sorts are ‘priced to sell’ at the Northern California Fall Boat Show. latitude/John A.
©2009 Latitude 38 Media, LLC Local weather gurus are predicting phenomenally warm weather this weekend, making it an ideal time to get out on the water, and also to to check out the Northern California Fall Boat Show at Jack London Square. More »

Staggering Response to Autopilot Problem

If the responses to Wednesday’s ‘Lectronic don’t taper off soon, we might have to outsource our email correspondence to India. © Josh Rogan We’ve gotten two big surprises since Wednesday. First was the statistic that 40% of the population of India — and there are about a billion of them — don’t have any electricity. More »