Latitude Crew Party On Down for the Holidays
Wednesday night was our annual Latitude 38 Christmas party, bringing together the crew who make the West Coast’s favorite sailing magazine come to life. Sadly some folks couldn’t make it, and there were one or two who snuck away early as it is the season for parties, but, from writers, to proofreaders, to artists and sales folk, the crew you see in the photo below (together with the absentees) have worked together all year to bring you a great sailing magazine.
The gathering was again held at the Sausalito Cruising Club. These folks made it so easy for us to just turn up and have a good night. And the food? Thank you to Markana Jordan from Marin Hospitality for creating such a delicious spread.
Of course, no Christmas party would be complete without the Stealing Santa.
Regardless of what items passed through many hands before finally finding their forever homes, it was a treat to be among our crew and enjoy the warmth and camaraderie of each other’s company and create more lasting memories. We hope you, too, have the opportunity to create some great holiday memories with your own crews.
Again, a big “Thank You” to the Sausalito Cruising Club for their hospitality. They kept the barge mostly flat all night 😉
Will Google’s GenCast Transform Transpac Weather Routing?
In a recent post, Richard Spindler pointed to a story in the NYTimes describing how Google was introducing an AI agent that has created highly accurate 15-day weather forecasts. This got us wondering if using AI to do your weather routing would be considered outside assistance.
The story said GenCast, from the company’s DeepMind division, outperformed the world’s best predictions of deadly storms as well as everyday weather. At present, the technology is primarily aimed at providing earlier warning for severe weather events. The lead scientist on the project is quoted as saying, “I’m a little bit reluctant to say it, but it’s like we’ve made decades’ worth of improvements in one year. We’re seeing really, really rapid progress.” So what happens when GenCast starts providing optimal routing to the Expedition software?
Earlier this year the Transpac YC announced another weather-related decision — to use time-on-time Forecast Time Correction Factor (F-TCF) ratings calculated from the polar performance data from each boat’s ORR certificate and weather predictions available on the morning of each start. Using this system attempts to balance each boat’s chances of competing fairly against the entire fleet by reducing the variations encountered by boats across the multi-day starting sequence.
The rapid advancements in technologies are keeping race committees busy trying to figure out which tools will be helpful in keeping things fair and competitive. At some point, the rapid advancement of AI could possibly provide Starlinked boats much more precise routing information than onboard, or even shore-based, human weather routers. It doesn’t sound as if we’re there yet, but the rapid advancements will continue.
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Get Your Free Christmas Stocking Stuffer
While you’re Christmas shopping at your local California marine business, don’t forget to pick up a FREE stocking stuffer. The December issue of Latitude 38 is now available for free at numerous marine businesses and yacht clubs from Seattle to San Diego. They are a great way for kids to learn to read while creating dreams of sailing over the horizon.
If you want your kids to read you need to give them great things to read. Robin Lee Graham’s book Dove probably inspired more sailors than any other. Or maybe it was Sailing Alone Around the World by Joshua Slocum. While it might take less time to read from cover to cover than either of those books, Latitude 38 also inspires the dreams of sailors up and down the West Coast, and a sailing magazine by the bedside is a permanent reminder of all the places one could go. A Sightings story is just about the perfect length for a bedtime read.
So, when you’re ready to go Christmas shopping, check out the map to find a magazine distributor near you. Or, for a gift that will last all year, wrap up a subscription.
Youth Embark on Adventure in Kornati Islands of Croatia
People say the three great reasons to be a teacher are June, July and August. Captain James Bender is a shop teacher in Redwood City who, for the past several years, has spent those three months continuing to teach through his Adriatic Maritime Institute in the islands of Croatia. There he has restored traditional wooden craft, bridged the gulf between nations in the Balkans with boats, and run outdoor educational trips for local youth. Here we share some of the past summer’s adventures.
The Kornati archipelago, a wild and desolate region in Croatia, is a place where isolation meets connectedness. For the students participating in this year’s Kornati Adventure sailing camp, the theme of friendship resonated deeply, transcending borders, languages and histories. Surrounded by rugged landscapes, the weeklong program became a crucible for camaraderie and learning. This year’s camp brought together students from Maestral Home for Children in Split, Croatia, and Rada Vranješevic Home for Children in Banja Luka, Republika Srpska.
Language differences — Croatian and Serbian — often create barriers. Yet, through the years, the sailing program has fostered bonds that break down such walls. The tradition of peace-building trips began in 2016, and many of the leaders and students were familiar faces. As the students stepped out of the van on the first day, some ran to greet old friends, while new participants hung back, observing the reunions. But as the first group circle commenced, smiles replaced hesitation, and the ice quickly melted. Veteran participants led by example, ensuring a smooth start to the journey.
The students embarked on the adventure aboard Vinka, a 24-ft historical wooden boat built in 1937 on the island of Vis. Vinka is no ordinary vessel — her rigging is intricate, with numerous halyards, control lines, and brails. This was the first time sailing for many students, and the complexity of the boat initially seemed overwhelming. But as the week progressed, they worked together to rig lines, raise sails, and master the latina, the distinctive lateen rig that powered the boat.
A thunderstorm before departure tested their resolve but also brought them closer together. We huddled in a small library as the rain poured down, the students listening to the plan for the week: sailing, camping, swimming, and hiking.
Continue reading in the December issue.
Give the Gift of Latitude this Holiday Season
