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September 10, 2010

Sail Indonesia Rally Report

Locals in Banda, Indonesia, heartily welcomed the 150-strong fleet in the Sail Indonesia Rally.

© 2010 Nancy Tompkins

We’re a little late in reporting this but, in late August, Convergence, the cat ketch-rigged Wylie 65 with freestanding masts owned by West Marine founder Randy Repass and his wife Sally-Christine, was first to finish in the Sail Indonesia Rally that started in Darwin. According to the ever more legendary Commodore Tompkins of the Mill Valley-based Wylie 38+ Flashgirl, who was along as crew with his wife Nancy, "The 550-mile event to Banda was billed as a race, but was so low-intensity as to be more of a cruise. There were several 50-ft catamarans with us, but it was all downwind in moderate breezes, allowing Convergence to average just under 10 knots."

The fleet anchored in Darwin awaiting the start of the event.

© 2010 Nancy Tompkins

Commodore’s wife Nancy had a slightly different take. "It was all a bit confusing because there were at least four events within Sail Indonesia starting at the same time: 1) Race to Banda, 2) Race to Ambon, 3) Rally to Banda, and 4) Rally to Kupang. Convergence was entered in the race to Banda along with 10 other boats. The sailing instructions had such a short time limit that only three boats finished within it. I think that the time limits should give anyone who makes all the effort to participate in such an event ample time to finish. It was a bit lumpy crossing the Arafura Sea, but once we got inside the island group the seas smoothed out nicely. When we arrived in Banda, the locals made quite a fuss over us. It turns out that Indonesia has invested some serious money in promoting sailing and tourism. The pavilion where the festivities took place in Banda was built specifically for this event a month or so before we arrived. So, in some ways, we have helped to improve things for the locals by sailing to their island. Banda is an exciting landfall, and the people were most welcoming. The Banda Islands, of course, are the famous Spice Islands where nutmeg was discovered in the old trading days."

Locals in canoes greeted the fleet when they arrived in Banda.

© 2010 Nancy Tompkins
The official welcome and award presentation. West Marine founder Randy Repass, far right, placed first overall in the race to Banda aboard his Wylie 65 Convergence.

© 2010 Nancy Tompkins

As we mentioned in a previous Cruise Notes, a number of Ha-Ha vets were part of the 150 or boats that were in the four fleets. Sail Indonesia is noted for not being the most organized event, so it’s still unclear what other boats started and how they finished. But hey, that’s the sailing life.

Currently in the process of touring Bali, Java, Borneo and Sulawasi, Commodore and Nancy will soon return to Flashgirl in Queensland, Australia, and resume their cruise north inside the Great Barrier Reef. As for for Convergence, we presume she’s continuing on her way through Indonesia toward Malaysia and Thailand.

Where in the World is the Salish Sea?

Has Puget Sound been renamed?

latitude/LaDonna
©2010 Latitude 38 Media, LLC

"I was recently reading your Pacific Northwest counterpart, 48° North," writes Steve Denney of the Pittsburg-based Yorktown 39 Break Time, "and was shocked to see that the name ‘Puget Sound’ is out — it’s now referred to as the ‘Salish Sea.’ Is this a joke I don’t get?

"As a former resident of Island County, I revelled in local history. The Pig Wars are just one of many wonderful tales of the area. The history of the San Juans and Gulf Islands is colorful, chock full of tales, and remembers visits from old salts such as Captain Bligh. My sons still live on Whidbey Island so I feel an attachment. I’d love a straight answer."

The name ‘Salish Sea’ — which was jointly adopted by both the U.S. and Canadian governments in October, 2009 — will not replace the names of Puget Sound, Georgia Strait or the Strait of Juan de Fuca. It’s simply a collective term for all three.

© 2010 BC Government

Fear not, Steve. Puget Sound is still Puget Sound. The Strait of Juan de Fuca hasn’t been renamed. Even Georgia Straight has retained its moniker. ‘Salish Sea’ is simply the all-encompassing name for the bodies of water in and around Desolation Sound, the Strait of Georgia, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Puget Sound. Having sailed extensively in the region, we think a general name for the area — besides ‘Pacific Northwest’, which covers a much broader range — isn’t a bad idea. Whether or not it catches on is another story.

Last Call for Ha-Ha Entries

Ready for a sunny getaway south of the border? If you were planning to enter this year’s Baja Ha-Ha cruisers rally you’d better hurry, because the official entry deadline is tonight at midnight. 

That said, we’d be willing to bet that the Rally Committee will still accept last-minute entries early next week — after all the Ha-Ha is decidedly loose when it comes to rules and regulations. You’ll find the entry forms at the Ha-Ha website, and the process takes about 15 minutes to complete. And if you have questions about things such as timing, logistics, paperwork and so on, you’ll probably find the answers on the site under the headings "About the Ha-Ha" and "First Timer’s Guide to Mexico."

“Here it comes!” Look closely and you can see a pink Frisbee headed for the annual Ha-Ha beach party at Turtle Bay. Warm November temperatures and big fun!

latitude/Andy
©2010 Latitude 38 Media, LLC

As usual, this year’s fleet is huge and contains a diverse assortment of boats whose crews come from all walks of life. As of noon today, the fleet total stood at 182 — not quite an all-time record, but inching towards it. So what do you say? Will 2010 be your year to Ha-Ha?

At beaches along the way, cruiser kids get an education in the school of life.

latitude/Richard
© Latitude 38 Media, LLC

THE CURRENT 2010 BAJA HA-HA FLEET:
Thee Amazing Grace / Vector 39 / David Bloom & Karin McGinley / Long Beach
Piko / Wauquiez Pretorien 35 / Lauren Buchholz / Seattle, WA
Day Dream / J/122 / Robert Day / San Francisco
Cat’s Meow / Catalina 36 / Nancy DeMauro / Richmond
Noho ‘ana / Jeanneau 37 / Heather McKnight & Peter Lewis / Marina del Rey
Last Resort / Catalina 470 / Dick & Sharon Drechsler / Marina del Rey
Di’s Dream / Catalina 470 / Roger & Diana Frizzelle / San Francisco
WindChime / Hunter 430 / Neal Albrektsen / San Diego
Dolfin / Crealock 37 / Bill Meanley / San Diego
El Tiburon / Tayana 47 / Sarah Powell & Darrell Erickson / San Francisco
Braveheart / MacGregor 65 / Bob Callaway / Pleasant Harbor, WA
Andiamo III / Hans Christian 43 T / Eugene & Tami Reynolds / Olympia, WA
Arione / Mason 44 / Art Stiers & Jaye Eldridge / Anacortes, WA
Norwegian Steam / Jason 35 / Alan Westhagen / Seattle, WA
Robon III / Columbia 50 / Dale Walter / San Francisco
Cygnus / Sabre 402 / Gerald Kitchen / Sausalito
Independence / J/32 / Joel & Danielle Wells / San Francisco
Loose Pointer / Kelly-Peterson 44 / Daniel Best & Kathryn Sieck / San Francisco
Finarrow / Swan 38 / JIm & Cathy Revard / Sitka, AK
Sweet Cherri / Columbia 36 / Joshua & Julia Siudyla / Alameda
Althea / O’Day 28 / Shawn Passeri & Cindy Spangler / Antioch
Blade / Valiant Esprit Nordic 37 / Ed & Karen Lare / San Diego
MissTeak / Morgan 45 / Chip & Katie Prather / Dana Point
Venti / Fountaine Pajot Mahe 36 / Lori & Ken Styles / Berkeley
Pua’ena / Outbound 44 / Mark & Dorothy Hazlett / Waikiki YC, HI
Hotel California / Hunter 376 / Rick Rheingans & Pam Coite / Alameda
Serendipity / Kelly-Peterson 44 / Barritt Neal / San Diego
Liberty / C&C 37 / Russell Cooper / San Francisco
Dancer / Hylas 44 / Charles & Patricia Skerry / Marina del Rey
Charisma / Tayana 37 / Bob Johnson / Berkeley
Another Girl / Santa Cruz 50 / Jim Bewley / Richmond
Tribute / Beneteau 473 / Bruce Crockard & Ed York / Long Beach
Mind Magic / Newport 41 MkII / Dennis & Pamela Young / Long Beach
Camelot / Catalina 470 / Thomas & Lori Jeremiason / Alameda
Salt Shaker / Cape Dory Cutter 36 / Richard & Mardi Brayton / Sausalito
Fullshell / Catalina/Morgan 440 / Eric & Marilyn Anderson / San Francisco
Balquhidder / Hunter Passage 450 / Don & Stella Patterson / Tacoma, WA
Hotel California / Catalina 375 / Michael & Linda Stafford / San Francisco
Voyager / Cooper 42 / Ronald Nieman / Homer, AK
Toucan / Tanton 43 cat ketch / Kevin Belcastro / San Francisco
Sans Souci / Gulf 32 / Gary Kunz & Julie Demaree / Portland, OR
Feliz / O’Day 37 / Victor Gumper & Hanna Malm / Berkeley
Valparaiso / Irwin 52 CC ketch / Joe & Susan Arnold / Portland, OR
Rambler / Ericson 32 / Tom Bradley & Linda Hackett / Corona del Mar
Procyon / Gozzard 44 MkII / Randy & Sheri Schneider / Sunriver, OR
Sundancer / Bluewater Vagabond 47 / Heather Reimer / Vancouver, BC
Rose of Erin / Hughes 40 / Damon & Erin Cruz / Juneau, AK
Bravo / Wauquiez 35 / Aaron Wangenheim / San Francisco
Taya / Island Packet 45 / Clifford & Lynne Quesnel / Montreal, QC
At Last / Skye 51 / Scott Neal / San Diego
Misty Blue / Cascade 44 / Kenneth & Mary Ruth Frazee / Friday Harbor, WA
Jasdip / Passport 40 / Crit Dowler / Alameda
Shemya / Hunter 41 / Thomas McCarten / St. Augustine, FL
Slow Dance / Hunter Legend 37 / William Sumner / Channel Islands
Rainbow / Crowther 10m 36-ft cat / Clifford Shaw / Emery Cove
Intrepid / Swan 44 MkII / Carl Bertelsen / Marina del Rey
Flibbertigibbet / O’Day 34 / Jim & Betty Adams / Discovery Bay
Caprice / Seawind 1160 38-ft cat / Dan & Carol Seifers / Point Richmond
R3 / Beneteau First 42 / Randy & Ramona Garrett / Coos Bay, OR
Apeiron / Com-Pac 27/2 / David Vecera & Linda Cramer / San Diego
Diamond Girl / Beneteau 393 / Larry & Nelda Read / Bellingham, WA
Varuna / Pearson 367 / Mitchell & Elizabeth West / Portland, OR
Sarah Jean II / Saga 43 / Norm & Beth Cooper / Vancouver, BC
Rocinante / Beneteau First 42 / Bob Lesnett / Pt. Richmond
Santosha / Catana 471 / Patrick & Tammy Finnerty / Ventura
Tropicana / Gulfstar 60 / David Perry / Alameda
Duct Tape / Cal 29 / Sig & Phyllis Horneman / Berkeley
Sundance / Beneteau M38 / Richard Donker & David Remp / San Francisco
Red Sky / Moody 54 / Jack & Leanne Hembrow / Brisbane, AUS
Content / Perry/Litton 47 / William Holmes & Paula Collins / Homer, AK
Windfall / Maple Leaf 42 / Sam & Nancy Cockrell / Portland, OR
Sudden Stops Necessary / Beneteau First 38s5 / Chet Chauhan / San Francisco
I’O / Davidson 44 / Robert & Bobbie Kuschel / Redwood City
Sulaco / Swan 371 / Glenn Brake / Marina del Rey
Symphony / Fuji 32 / Joel Tuttle / San Francisco
Mazu / Outbound 46 / Mel & Elaine Bryson / Rainier, OR
Double Dharma / Hunter 466 / Dale & Dena Snearly / San Leandro
Coppertop / Bayfield 32 / Paul Moran / Brookings, OR
Wind Rose / Cabo Rico 40 / Walter & Patricia Simmons / Los Angeles
Sonrisa / Baba 40 / Scott Bowen / Green Cover Springs, FL
Rosebud / Cal 36 / Greg Rodgers / San Pedro
Dodger Too / Tartan 37 / Leif & Jackie Watson / Edmonton, AB
C’est La Vie / Amel Mango 52 / Bob Bohn / Anacortes, WA
Otter / Westsail 32 / Greg & Joyce Parfitt / Scappose, OR
La Condessa del Mar / Herreshoff 65 schooner / Bill & Karen Gates / Sausalito
Island Time / Seawind 1000 / Larry & Nancy Robertson / Dana Point
Barramundi / Seawind 1000 / Steve & Pam Ellsworth / Newport Beach
Santorini / Mariner 48 / Dawn Fleming & Thomas Clifford / Wilmington
Seasilk / Hylas 46 / Craig Blasingame & Sue Steven / Coronado
Bonnie Lass / Catalina/Morgan 440 / Bill & Lorell Alexander / Tiburon
Setting Sun / Pearson 323 / George Johnstone / San Rafael
Gratitude / Island Packet 485 / Mike Irwin / Alamitos Bay
Abagwit / Niagara 35 / Werner Landry & Allison Sherwood / San Diego
Taverna / Catalina 470 / Sal & Debbie Vitale / San Francisco
Fixin’ To / Hylas 44 / Jim & Sharon MacIntosh / San Francisco
Phambili / Given 45 / Tommy Lorenzo & Fiona Coleman / Victoria, BC
Seabird / Swan 51 / Lou Freeman / Ventura
Intuition / C&C 37XL / Ron & Connie Holbrook / Tacoma, WA
Ticket / Beneteau 47.3 / Rick Niello / Sausalito
Wyspa / Baltic 55 DP / Roger Waterman / Del Mar
Touchrain / Ericson 38 / Michael & Jan Wilson / Olympia, WA
Dragon’s Toy / Island Packet 37 / Tom Kohrs & Cary Purvis / Freeport
Bright Angel / Mason 44 / Bob & Linda Hargreaves / Olympia, WA
Hand Full / Islander 34 / Tiffin & Neil Rife / Half Moon Bay
Moonbeam / Siedlemann 299 / Scott Dobias / Long Beach
Ohana / Beneteau 45f5 / Steve Hocking & Marika Edler / Eagle Point, OR
Serendipity / Gozzard 36 / Hugh & Anne Jenings / Port Ludlow, WA
Kanga / Valiant 40 / Jim Hassberger & Jeanne Harvey / Coos Bay, OR
Rocinante / Beneteau 473 / Cooper & Phil Patterson / San Diego
Sound Effect / Dufour 385 / Jim & Connie Merritt / Tacoma, WA
Sterling / Catalina 34 / Byron Cleary / Sausalito
Music / Nordic 44 / Gail Lapetina & John McCartney / Bellingham, WA
Enchantress / Liberty 49 / Melinda Morgan & Steve Cross / Port Ludlow, WA
Tara / Caliber 28 / Jonathon Neely & Shannon Walker / San Francisco
Moonbow / Crowther 38 / Richard McCredle / Dana Point
JaneO / Privilege 39 / Scott & Christine Emmons / Redwood City
Peregrine Spirit / Ericson 380 / Tony & Kathleen Van Houweling / San Diego
Exit Strategy / Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 46.5 / Steve Ginder / Dana Point
Magda Jean / Valiant 40 / Michael & Katharine Bird / San Diego
Legacy / C&C 34 / Lewis & Willa Keizer / San Francisco
Equinox / Jeanneau 40 / Don Whittington & Debbie Roemer / Santa Cruz
Dilligaf / Jeanneau DS49 / William Teasdale / Bellevue, WA
Kamekazi / Columbia 41 / Patrick Scroggin / Anacortes, WA
Black Pearl / Cal 1-30 / Garrett Jolly / Port San Luis
Tumbleweed / Corsair F-31 / Matt Daniel & Paul Boyd / Seattle, WA
C’est La Vie / Catalina 470 / Keith & Susan Levy / Richmond
Jubilee II / Islander 36 / Barry & Joyce Ivers / Sausalito
Princess Anna / Mainship 390 / Michael McGuire / Channel Islands Harbor
Bateau Frowe / Jeanneau 43 / Susan French & Thomas Rowe / Marina del Rey
La Brisa / Morgan 45 / Gene Brown / San Diego
Pacific Destination / Catalina 30 / Greg Buur / King Harbor
Firefly / Catalina 470 / Ted Silvas & Brenda Jewell / San Francisco
El Tiburon / Passport 42 / John Stanec & Luke Ashcroft / Emery Cove
Notre Reve / Island Packet 40 / Howard & Christine Ward / Chandler, AZ
Kokomo / Sabre 425 / Becky & Denny Flannigan / Tacoma, WA
Sea Chaser / Cal 2-27 / George Dorius / Coos Bay, OR
SEAduction / Catalina 42 MkII / Dan Lawler / Salt Lake City, UT
Neener3 / Catalina 42 / Jan Grygier & Patti Boucher / Richmond
Mamabird / Island Packet 380 / Colin Honess & Sharon Squire / Sausalito
Tapestry / 34′ Farrier Command-10 / Richard Pearsall / Ventura
Marquesas / Islander 34 / Victor Niebylski / Emery Cove
Wild Rose / Robb 35 / Don & Kathi Feher / Long Beach
Safety Cat / Gemini 3000 cat / Nick Ratto & Andrea Cook / Alameda
Aunt Sur / Shannon 38 cutter / Fred & Vickie Coulter / Morro Bay
Scout / Jeanneau 52.2 / Charles & Lisa Becker / Whitefish, MT
Lady Ann / Irwin 37 / Joel & Vivien Hoyt / San Francisco
Defiance / Swan 56 / Peter & Peggy Noonan / Newport, RI
Dream Chaser / Beneteau 350 / Jeffrey Bissell & Robert Valentine / Berkeley
So Inclined / Catalina 36 / Mike Borer / Oceanside
Corvidae / Island Packet 38 / Steve & Nona Larson / Portland, OR
Philosophy / Southern Cross 39 / Kim Philley / Seattle, WA
Wisp / Custom 42′ sloop / Ron Krelle & Bette Vallerga / Cottage Grove, OR
Vortex III / Maple Leaf 45 / Rowan Walter / Vancouver, BC
TugTub / Irwin 43 / Paul West & Pamela Stone / Long Beach
Freya / Irwin 52 / Cliff Johnsen / Austin, TX
Uncle Tio / Islander 28 / John Elder / Humboldt Bay
Dolphin / Islander 44 / Skip White / Port San Luis
Moshulu / Spencer 42 / Gerald Parkhurst / Gig Harbour, WA
Lardo / Cal 39 / Dennis & Mary Lee Millard / Alameda
Voyager / Catalina 470 / Bill Martinelli & Julie Olson / San Francisco
Karina C / Spencer 35 / Jay & Anita Bigland / Nanaimo, BC
Shanti / Catalina 42 MkII / Emil Giese / Friday Harbor, WA
Papagayo / Pearson 36 / Scot Johnson & Patricia Taylor / San Rafael
Gratefulheir / Hudson Sea Wolf 44 / Gary Faber / Bandon, OR
Salonah / Cooper Seabird 37 / David & Donna Simpson / Newport, OR
Sun Baby / Lagoon 410 / Bill & Sue Houlihan / San Diego
Star Fire / Islander 41 / William & Paula Carneal / Long Beach
Lunautica / Moody 46 / Michael Lannen & Judy Hager / Biddeford Pool, ME
Concordia / Cape North 43 / Craig & Diane Moyle / Carmichael
Ku’u Kaunu / CT 49 / Jake & Peter Renz / Santa Barbara
Emerald Star / Formosa 41 / Mike & Wavey Mellor / Coos Bay, OR
Wendaway / Norseman 447 / Mark Schneider / Portland, OR
Shalimar / Mariner 40 / Ryan & Alexandra Skadberg / San Diego
Wayward Wind / Alberg Odyssey / John Conser / Costa Mesa
Fantasy / Freedom 40 / Kent Magnell / San Francisco
Off Tempo / Yamaha 30 / Brian Lasley & Terry Treibel / Seattle
Talion / Gulfstar 50 / Patsy Verhoeven / Portland, OR
Soule / Cheoy Lee Offshore 40 / Kevin Cole / San Francisco
Perfect Pearl / Meridian 580 / Greg Peters / Arden, NC
Distant Drum / Beneteau Idylle 15.50 / Harry Hazzard / San Diego
Adios / Columbia 43 / Craig Shaw / Portland, OR
Sirocco / J/130 / Lee Pryor & Cathy Sweet / Oceanside

Did you miss this? Then read on . . . BMW Oracle Racing
© Latitude 38 Media, LLC Did you miss the victory presentations made by BMW Oracle Racing in the spring?
In his controversial article in the August issue of Latitude 38, Max Ebb mentioned the book Saving Sailing by Nick Hayes, in which Hayes lays out a plan to help boost the declining number of sailors in the U.S.