Skip to content

The Maritime Icon of Dana Point
Here's an update on the sinking of the 'Pilgrim', the full-scale replica of the merchant brig made famous in Richard Henry Dana's Two Years Before the Mast.
The World Famous L38
Here's your April Caption Contest(!). Be sure to check out the May issue of Latitude 38 for the winner and top 10 entries.
While Sheltering in Place
We can already see that we've turned the corner on sailing events. Now the announcements of SIP alternatives have outpaced the slowing trickle of cancellations.
ADAPTING
Read why cruisers are more adaptable to changing conditions in Tim Henry's feature, The Cruisers Mindset, Adapting to Any Conditions.
Coping with COVID-19
There is no law restricting sailing on San Francisco Bay, though each county has issued guidelines supporting the governor's overall shelter-in-place directive.
Latitude in New Zealand
In 1768, Captain James Cook set sail aboard the 97-ft bark Endeavour, bound for the South Pacific. King George III dispatched the ship from Plymouth.
SIP with Latitude 38
Now offering a Shelter-in-Place special. Three months is just a ‘sip’ of Latitude 38. You can read Latitude 38 at home. The last day to sign up is April 24.
Sponsored Post
Washing, waxing, varnishing. Serving the entire Bay Area for more than 30 years. “Boat looks great. Please pass my thanks to those who did the work."
Good News from around the world
Greetings, Latitude Nation, from 37° South. Life here in New Zealand is probably similar to that in the rest of the world: The main attractions are your living room, Netflix and taking long, destination-less walks.
Postponing a Decision
"Over here at Races High Command we turn on every computer monitor and radio, set them all to news stations, and spin in circles until we find a station that is not reporting on COVID-19. We are still spinning," writes Daniel Evans, Race Boss of the Race to Alaska.
Schedule Adjustments
Organizers for the Pacific Cup from San Francisco to Oahu have canceled the 2020 race and scheduled the next one to start the week of July 4, 2022.
Have Latitude Mailed to You
Now offering a Shelter-in-Place special. Three months is just a ‘sip’ of Latitude 38. You can read at home while you sip on whatever you like.
Opinion
The word 'yacht' has always bothered me. It’s simply too pretentious for my taste. When I go sailing, I don’t go to the yacht, I go to the boat, and there is a distinct difference.
SIP with Latitude 38
Now offering a Shelter-in-Place special. Three months is just a ‘sip’ of Latitude 38. You can read at home while you sip on whatever you like.
Latitude in New Zealand
Despite the slow, grinding boredom, fear and uncertainty, the world is still beautiful. We offer you some eye candy for your day.
A Quiet Time on the Coast
Harbor's quiet, crabbers are pulling and storing pots. Most are pulled. Everyone is safe distancing. The main bathrooms are closed.
Schedule Updates
The latest cancellation to drop into our inbox is the Master Mariners Regatta. "With so many competitive boats in the fleet, it is with heavy hearts the Board has decided to cancel the Regatta."
Adapting Race Prep
The last hundred days leading up to the Pacific Cup are usually a hive of activity as competitors are busy preparing their boats, getting inspected, and training.
Tough Questions
Here's a tough question from a reader: "Could Latitude 38 help clarify the guidelines for the stay-at-home order? The City of Alameda and their police department have no guidelines to follow."
Maritime Learning
As we shelter in place and catch up on our reading, studying, streaming and viewing, it occurs to us that it is like we are having a second winter season.
SIP with Latitude 38
Now offering a Shelter-in-Place special. Three months is just a ‘sip’ of Latitude 38. You can read at home while you sip on whatever you like.
cruising
Fito Espinosa, harbormaster at Marina Coral in Ensenada, sent us this update from Neil Shroyer of Marina de La Paz, president of the Mexico Marina Association, on the current situation in Mexican marinas: “Yesterday, Sunday the 29th, Mexico’s Maritime authority issued Directive #13 to all Port Captains in Mexico, informing them that they may not authorize the clearance or departure of passenger vessels for hire (Mexican- and foreign-flagged) that operate with Nautical Tourism permits (charter, tours, diving, sport fishing, whale watching, sunset cruises, etc.).
Sponsored Post
Washing, waxing, varnishing. Serving the entire Bay Area for more than 25 years. “Boat looks great. Please pass my thanks to those who did the work."
BOLO for a Stolen Boat
Richmond Yacht Club reports that a Boston Whaler and its trailer were taken by vehicle from the dry boat storage yard over the weekend, sometime between Friday evening and Sunday evening.
Adjustments and Alternatives
Normally in this slot we would post a look ahead to next month's racing calendar highlights. Instead, we'll continue with the updates we've been filing since that fateful Friday the 13th.
Get Latitude 38 at Home
Now offering a Shelter-in-Place special. Three months is just a ‘sip’ of Latitude 38. You can read at home while you sip on whatever you like.
Sailing