Let There Be a Blast
While the first two days of the three-day Banderas Bay Blast featured less consistent wind than normal, the crews of the 32 participating cruising boats have had a great time nonetheless. After all, in Ha-Ha-like fashion, it’s the sailing fun with friends that counts, not how spotty the wind is or where you finish in the fleet. Besides, the social activities have been non-stop, with countless friendships made. Today’s final race, the Pirates for Pupils Spinnaker Run for Charity from Punta Mita to Paradise Marina, will wrap up the event.
©2009 Latitude 38 Media, LLC
The Opinions of Sailors
Ask three sailors for their opinion on any given subject and you’ll get four answers. That being the case, we want to thank everyone for sending in their comments on what the Coast Guard should or shouldn’t have done in the case of JoJo. Please don’t send in any more letters about the subject as we’ve received more than we can possibly publish.
We’ll be contacting the Coast Guard for their comment on the incident for January’s edition of Latitude 38, but for the moment, we’d like to address one point a number of readers made. "Why didn’t they call Vessel Assist or Sea Tow?" was the question many of you asked, wrongly assuming that such a service is available everywhere — like AAA on the water. The nearest such service is Vessel Assist out of Santa Cruz — 25 miles from Stillwater Cove. Had the Livengoods called for that service, they would have waited two or more hours for their arrival.
Natasza Caban Finishes Circumnavigation
Polish beauty Natasza Caban sailed into Honolulu on Wednesday aboard her S&S 34 Tanasza Polska Ustka, completing the westabout solo circumnavigation she started two years and four months earlier. She was greeted at the Honolulu YC by dozens of friends and family, some of whom flew in from Europe. At 32, Caban is one of the youngest women to have gone around alone.
During her journey, Caban also raised funds — through Poland’s Against the Odds Foundation — to bring disabled children to visit her in Cocos Keeling and St. Lucia. "It’s a dream come true to do something good with my sailing," she said.
We hope to have a full report on the last legs of Caban’s adventure in the January issue of Latitude. In the meantime, check out her website at www.nataszacaban.com.
Amping Up for Lighted Boat Parades
Even in times like these, when the weather is chilly and the breeze is light, diehard sailors can still find valid reasons to fiddle around with their boats. And, this month, one of the best ways to do that is to gear up for one of the Bay Area’s many lighted boat parades.
If you’ve ever watched one of these bedazzling processions, you know how uplifting that experience can be. But just imagine how much fun it would be to be in the heart of the action. Typically, all boat types are welcome, but you do need to sign up in advance. Check out the list of possibilities below, culled from Latitude 38‘s December Calendar.
Dec. 5 — 33rd Annual Lighted Yacht Parade on the Oakland/Alameda Estuary. Starts at 5:30 p.m. Presented by Encinal YC, Oakland YC and Marina Village Yacht Harbor, this year’s theme is ‘Christmas Carols’. Find out more and enter your boat at www.lightedyachtparade.com.
Dec. 5 — South Beach YC Lighted Boat Parade from McCovey Cove to the Ferry Building, 5-7 p.m. Chili and hot buttered rum at the YC after. Info on website.
Dec. 5 — Petaluma YC Lighted Boat Parade, 5:30 p.m. Info on website or call (707) 753-1590.
Dec. 5 — Vallejo YC Harbor Lighted Boat Parade. Info on website or call (707) 643-1254.
Dec. 5 — Santa Cruz YC Lighted Boat Parade in the south harbor, 5:30 p.m. Info on website.
Dec. 5 — 30th Annual Delta Reflections Lighted Boat Parade, starting in Stockton at 5 p.m. Info on website.
Dec. 10 — San Rafael Lighted Boat Parade, 6 p.m. Info on website or call (415) 300-4510.
Dec. 11 — St. Francis YC Lighted Boat Parade, from Pier 39 to Ft. Mason, 6 p.m. Info on website.
Dec. 12 — Marina Bay Lighted Boat Parade, 6-8 p.m. Details on website or call (510) 236-1013.
Dec. 12 — Sausalito Lighted Yacht Parade along the waterfront, 6 p.m. Info on website.
Dec. 19 — 22nd Annual Holiday Boat Lighting Contest at Pillar Point, starting at 6 p.m., with a party following at Half Moon Bay YC. Info on website or call (650) 725-2120.