Five Years On: Where are the 2018 Baja Ha-Ha Sailors Now?
The 2018 Baja Ha-Ha saw 160 boats enter for the two-week cruising rally from San Diego, USA, to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Ha-Ha Poobah Richard Spindler followed up with the fleet to see where everyone is now.
Curious as to what the folks who did the 2018 Ha-Ha are up to, we emailed them. We received so many responses that we’re dividing them into several segments. We think the information will be interesting to those who did the 2018 or other Ha-Ha’s, as well as those thinking about doing this year’s Ha-Ha. Sign-ups for this fall’s Baja Ha-Ha XXIX, which starts on October 30, begin on May 9.
Anne Alberg and Diana Trump, Arctic Loon, Jeanneau 45, Poulsbo, Washington.
“The well-orchestrated 2018 Baja Ha-Ha was a great experience for us. We two co-captains had a crew of Jaqi Nadolny, Sue Drake, and Jean Sartou — all women.”
“Of the 160 Ha-Ha entries, only our boat and Diane Berol’s Celtic Song were all-women boats. During the Ha-Ha we made friends that we would continue seeing all the way across the Pacific.
“Some 10,000 miles after starting our adventure, the two of us, along with crewmembers Kristie Huntington and Donna Elton-Rodrigues, arrived in Opua, New Zealand, where new adventures began.”
Diana sold the boat to a Kiwi family and moved to a coffee farm above Captain Cook in Kona, Hawaii, while Anne became skipper of a Hylas 54 for continued adventures in the South Pacific. When COVID closed the South Pacific and New Zealand, Anne moved back to the Pacific Northwest. She currently lives in Bellingham, where she is a sailing instructor and private captain.”
Kendra Knoll, Jersey Girl, Irwin 65, San Diego.
“After doing four Ha Ha’s and sitting through the pandemic, it became apparent that it was time for me to move on to new adventures! So I made the decision to sell my beloved Jersey Girl and move on. I did stay in La Paz, and only recently moved to Aspen, Colorado. I’m getting back into my corporate flying career. There’ve been a few other changes, too. Such as my changing my gender, and being so totally happy loving my life as who I truly am! Love ya!”
Gregory and Susan Newman, Rapture, Caliber 40 LRC, Berkeley.
“Yes, we are still cruising. Rapture is now in Australia while we’re on an expedition vessel crossing the Drake Passage to Antarctica. We’ll return to Rapture in May of this year.”
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These are just three of the interesting responses to Richard’s “Where are you now?” email. Stay tuned for more in the coming weeks.
And if you want to write your own “Where Am I Now?” story in five years’ time, start your adventure by signing up for the 29th Baja Ha-Ha. Registrations open May 9.
Are you still cruising after your Ha-Ha? If you’ve got news and updates to share with your ‘back home’ cruising community pass it along to our Changes in Latitudes editor JR.
Good Jibes #86: Cooper Dressler on the SailGP Grand Final
This week’s host, John Arndt, is joined by Cooper Dressler to chat about gearing up for the SailGP Season 3 Grand Final in San Francisco on May 6–7, 2023. Cooper is in his second season on the US SailGP team. He’s been sailing since he was a child and competed as a grinder with the 2021 America’s Cup challenger, American Magic.
Hear how to become a professional sailor, the aspects of sailing that got Cooper hooked from an early age, about learning to sail on boats that go 50 knots, how much practice and preparation goes into training for SailGP, and how to succeed when you’re racing against the clock.
This episode covers everything from SailGP to Cooper’s favorite boats. Here’s a small sample of what you will hear:
- What was youth sailing like for Cooper?
- How do the SailGP boats work?
- What’s the difference between foiling monohulls and foiling catamarans?
- How do you learn to race on super-fast boats?
- Is there much difference between tacking and jibing?
- How do you practice for SailGP?
- What’s key for sailing in the Bay?
- Short Tacks: How does Cooper enjoy seasonal sailing?
This episode is brought to you by SailGP. Learn more about the US SailGP team on social media @SailGPUSA and get tickets to the San Francisco event on May 6–7, 2023, at https://sailgp.com/races/season-3/united-states-sail-grand-prix-san-francisco/overview/.
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and your other favorite podcast spots — follow and leave a 5-star review if you’re feeling the Good Jibes!
Don’t Miss the Great Vallejo Race
Two days of racing for every kind of racer. Don’t miss out on the fun, sign up today at www.vyc.org/the-great-vallejo-race.
We’re Counting Down to Svendsen’s Second Annual Spring Fling
This coming weekend, the crew at Svendsen’s Marine in Alameda are hosting their second annual Spring Fling. If you took part in last year’s show — the very first Spring Fling — you’ll have some idea of what to expect. But last year’s show was such a success that this year it has expanded to cover two days of boating seminars, information and advice, special deals and fun. Over 30 vendors have signed up to set up their tents and show the latest and greatest in boating equipment, technology, and swag.
Along with quality marine names such as Ronstan, Pettit, Schaefer, Johnson Marine Hardware, Forespar and more, you’ll find the crew of Latitude 38 staffing their booth and making sure you’re up to date on the latest ways to connect with the West Coast’s sailing news, and to get you decked out in the best logowear. And there’s more!
On Saturday, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. the Latitude crew will be serving beer, provided by Almanac Beer, and hosting a Latitude 38 crew party meet and greet. There’ll be Latitude logowear, door prizes and color-coded, informational name tags to help you find a ride or crew for summer sailing and racing. Come along and meet in person to make connections for the coming summer of racing, cruising, daysailing — whatever your preference. Learn more here.
The show is free! Get your tickets here: 2023 Spring Fling.
Doors are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 15, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 16. We hope to see you there!
Larry Buys a Boat in Europe To Sail Who Knows Where
Ever dreamed of just chucking it all and buying a boat in Europe to sail the Med, to who knows where? A year ago Larry Haynie, delivery skipper and Club Nautique instructor, wrote to say he was looking to do just that. A year later, it’s all come together.
When he wrote that he was packing his travel bags and a box to ship to Germany for a March departure for France, Larry relayed, “The boat, minus registration, is 95% ready to sail from Lübeck, through the Kiel Canal. I pick up the first mate and other crew members near Hamburg. I’m registering Zandra in Delaware in order to secure international insurance.”
“She’s a 1974 Amel Euros 41, essentially a one-owner boat with simple but good quality upgrades. Otherwise, she was immaculately maintained. Repowering was the only issue with which I was faced. While ordering the new Volvo Penta D2, the GEMO salesperson said, ‘Well, there’s a big backlog. We will be lucky to get it here by March.’ Me, ‘Isn’t that a D2 on display right there?’ Yes, it was available but would have to be tested and have parts added. I told them to do what they needed to get things going. So for approximately the price of a new motor, I will get the display model Volvo Penta, new batteries, new thru-hulls, etc. So it will be ready to launch before April 5.”
Who else is ready to “chuck it all?”
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