Calling All Sailor Chicks
A few years ago, we wrote about a judgment-free Facebook group called Women Who Sail. Since that 2015 ‘Lectronic Latitude article, the group has grown from an impressive 6,000 members to an astonishing 14,575 — all women who sail, want to sail or have sailed. You don’t even have to sail — all female boaters are welcome, no matter their vessel of choice.
Can’t figure out how to sand the inside slats on your teak cockpit grate? Searching for the best solution for heating your boat? Looking for a reputable charter outfit in Croatia? All of these questions have been asked and answered in WWS, all by women who know exactly what they’re talking about.
But the fun doesn’t stop with that group. Nearly 40 ‘subgroups’ have been started since Charlotte Kaufman created WWS in 2011. Many are topic-focused — healthy living, LGBTQ sailors, splicing, cooking, writing — but most are location-based, such as the San Francisco Bay Area ‘chapter’.
Two such regional groups that southbound cruisers should check out are WWS Pacific Coast Americas and WWS Latitude 28 (Guaymas/San Carlos). These smaller subgroups are a great way for sailor chicks to keep in touch, plan cruise-outs or meet-ups, and share local knowledge — weather, tides, local service providers and so on.
But a separate subgroup isn’t required to coordinate an event. Just last month, dozens of women gathered at Marina Riviera Nayarit in La Cruz to discuss all things sailing. Among the attendees was solo circumnavigator Jeanne Socrates. Socrates was forced to scrap her latest attempt to become the oldest person to solo circumnavigate nonstop when she fell off a ladder and injured her neck shortly before she was to set off from Victoria, BC. Looking chuffed without her ever-present neck brace, Jeanne told attendees she wasn’t going to let a little thing like gravity get in the way of her goals. It appears she’s once again planning for an October departure aboard her Najad 380 Nereida.
Whether you’re new to boating or a seasoned sailor, Women Who Sail offers something for everyone. Except dudes. They still need not apply.
Chillin’
The weather gods have been kind to San Francisco Bay this winter. Besides a few blustery days and the odd raindrop or two it’s been pretty pleasant sailing all winter when there’s been enough wind to sail.
©2018Latitude 38 Media, LLC
This weekend was no exception. A Sunday afternoon cruise aboard our Ranger 33 Summer Sailstice saw plenty of boats just out chillin’ on the Bay with comfortable breezes, but enough wind at the Gate to get the kiters up on their foils. We let our lead keep us comfortably upright and our freeboard keep us dry.
©2018Latitude 38 Media, LLC
©2018Latitude 38 Media, LLC
©2018Latitude 38 Media, LLC
We were in competitive mode last weekend doing the CYC midwinters and, as we approached our boat for a pleasure sail this weekend, club member Ted Goldbeck said, "Don’t you know there’s a penalty for using your boat for pleasure?" Yesterday there appeared to be many boats on the Bay willing to accept the consequences, and we were too.