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Archive for February 2014

Cruiser Loses Lower Leg and Foot

John Spicher of the Anacortes-based custom Coast 34 Time Piece has been released from a hospital in San Diego following the amputation of the lower part of his mangled left leg. More »

March Latitudes Out Today

The March issue of Latitude 38 is out. Although today’s weather is pretty gray and wet, this issue should brighten your spirits. There’s a recap of the Three Bridge Fiasco and a Beer Can Primer for everyone salivating at the idea of going for a fun-filled sail after work in the months to come. More »

In Defense of the Delta

With the exception of the last couple of days, wintering in the Delta has been delightful. © 2014 LaDonna Bubak "You’re spending the winter in the Delta? Brrrr!" That was the reaction many people — including Latitude‘s publisher — had to the announcement that my husband and I would be spending the first few months of 2014 cruising the California Delta. More »

Caribbean 600

Now in its sixth year, the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s annual Caribbean 600 has become one of the darlings of the North Atlantic’s ocean racing calendar. With a course that beats, reaches and runs its way through eleven islands and a fleet that includes a who’s who of AC, VOR and Olympic talent, winning is no easy task. More »

Update on La Paz Good Samaritan

In our recent posting For Lack of a Kill Cord we told the story of a good Samaritan, John Spicher, who was badly injured in La Paz while helping out a fellow boater who had fallen out of his motorized dinghy. More »

Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman Awards

Brian Porter and Jody Starck formally accepted their respective 2013 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year awards yesterday at the St. Francis Yacht Club. The event, emceed by Gary Jobson, highlighted the careers of two of America’s finest sailors. More »

What Are Your Favorite Yacht Toys?

Stand-up paddle boards are becoming more and more popular in the realm of cruising. Anybody can quickly learn to use one, they’re relatively easy to store (especially the inflatable variety), and they can serve as a second dinghy. More »

Clipper Yachts Recalled

Forestay fittings have failed among the fleet’s 12 boats causing race officials to divert the fleet to Hong Kong. Clipper Ventures
©2014 Latitude 38 Media, LLC Clipper Round the World racers have been diverted to Hong Kong, China after race organizers became aware of a potentially dangerous flaw in the forestay system on the 12 Clipper 70s. More »

For Lack of a Kill Cord

A horrific accident occurred near La Paz, Mexico late last month that could have been avoided by the use of a couple of simple pieces of plastic: an outboard kill switch key on a lanyard. More »

SailMail Seminar

You may have heard about SailMail and you might have even used it the last time you were cruising or when you raced the PacCup two years ago. But, there’s a good chance you didn’t take advantage of all its capabilities. More »