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Higher Costs for Boaters
The State of California has suggested a 250% increase in vessel registration fees in its 2021-22 budget. This would represent an increase in fees from $20 every other year to $70, and would take effect on July 1.
March Boat of the Month
According to a 1966 Columbia brochure, the boats produced from this hybrid mold were "the most sophisticated racing yachts in this country, at less than one-half of what an 'Open 5.5' would cost."
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EWOL propellers make maneuvering easier (reduce inertia), and increase sail speed and optimize engine speed.
Ebb and Flow in the Atlantic
According to a New York 'Times' article, Benjamin Franklin was the first to map the Gulf Stream during a transatlantic crossing in the 1700s.
Women Solo Circumnavigators
Female sailors Clarisse Cremer, Pip Hare, Melinda Merron and Alexia Barrier finished the solo Vendée Globe in February. Sam Davies and Isabelle Joschke completed the course around the world.
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If you took advantage of our last SIP subscription offer, March is the final issue. But fear not ... you can subscribe today.
All the Best Reads in One Magazine
As the weather warms up and the Northern Hemisphere slides into spring, we bring you 'Latitude 38' magazine's March issue. This month we have a host of great stories along with our regular columns.
Toy Ship Travels the High Seas
Ollie and Harry Ferguson sent their toy pirate ship across the oceans in search of adventure. The Playmobil ship 'Adventure' set a Guinness World Record for 'the most travelled toy ship'.
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The California Boater Card shows that its holder has successfully taken and passed a NASBLA/state-approved boater safety education examination.
The Meteorological Seasons
With the flip of the calendar to the month of March, so begins spring. What?! No, spring starts on the vernal equinox.
Did you send us your photo?
Real photos from real sailors, every month.
It's Been a Rough Month for Yachts and Docks
The Black Pearl is a 350-ft three-masted sailing yacht. She has a 49-ft beam and a gross tonnage of around 2,864 tons. But none of this helped her when the vessel's crew recorded true wind speeds of over 63 knots at her dock in Porto Montenegro.
'Tis a small world we sail in!
While walking in Arizona, Pat McIntosh spotted a sailing dingy tied to a car roof. “Who's got the car with the sailboat on top out here?” All the RV’ers looked at me as if they had never heard of a sailboat before.
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Gary Clausen of Twin Rivers Marine Insurance has been serving the needs of his clients in all of California for many years.
Making Boats Available to Members
We know many clubs have tried club-owned boats available for member usage, but it remains a challenging program to manage. Long Beach Yacht Club has successfully created a club-owned fleet of Solings for member use.
In Like a Lamb and Out Like a Lion?
We predict that March will come in like a lamb and go out like a lion. And we're not talking about the weather.
Did She Say 'Yes'?
Grant Hamilton took shipboard romance to a whole new level when he had his girlfriend raise the headsail to uncover his marriage proposal.
Get Your Kids on the Water This Spring and Summer
Bay Area youth usually enjoy a lot of time on the water over the warmer months. Therefore we've created a Youth Sailing page where you can find program information and contact details for local sailing clubs, associations and community sailing organizations.
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Complete your ASA IQCs at MSC! Our new instructors receive 100% tuition reimbursement for each clinic after teaching their first course at the level.
US Sailing's Starboard Portal
Bay Area sailors Liz Baylis and Nicole Breault will discuss getting involved in match racing. The Starboard Portal will present the event as part of their online series.
Why go anywhere else?
The easiest and closest escape is the Bay that sits right in the middle of us Bay Area residents. In fact, it's called the 'Bay Area' because that's its primary feature and greatest asset.
The smaller the boat the bigger the adventure
Curtis Havel spent five months building his 11-foot-long gunter-rigged sloop from a Chesapeake Light Craft kit. It turned out to be a lot of fun to build, and to sail.
What One Man and His Parrot Know About An Island
What do Captain Cook, the Lord Liverpool University-George Washington School and New Zealand have in common? A small island in the South Pacific.
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Our employees have over 50 years combined experience in their fields of focus, and strive to create the finest marine canvas available.
But Don't Fire Your Navigator
Max Ebb joined a Zoom tutorial on weather routing software and was surprised when Lee Helm appeared and led the group through what amounted to "Weather Routing Software for Dummies."
Prada Cup Final
Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli defeated INEOS Team UK 7-1 to advance to the 36th America's Cup Match against Emirates Team New Zealand beginning on March 6 in Auckland.
Memories of a Vessel's Better Days
'Suisun' was built in 1914 and came to a sad end when she sank during a windstorm last month. Her demise kindled many Bay Area sailors' memories.
No shortage of sailing or sailboats
The 1970s and '80s were prime times for sailing in Southern California. The times have changed, but the region is still packed with sailboats — old and new.
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We don't try to be the biggest ... but we passionately want to be the best.
Shorthanded Races on the Horizon
"If there is one thing this pandemic has taught us, it's got to be how to be nimble and adapt to the constant need to change the best laid plans," writes the YRA.
Far from the Madding Crowd
Following all the hullaballoo on Wednesday, a canceled race day, the Prada Cup resumes today. Racing is planned for every day until one competitor gets to 7 points, or until the end of the schedule on February 24.
Another Boat Hits the Bottom
A sailboat exploded and sank on Richardson Bay, alarming nearby residents. Fortunately there were no serious injuries.
New Vessel to Tackle Floating Plastics
The SeaCleaners has unveiled the Manta, a giant catamaran designed to collect and process large quantities of floating plastic macro-waste at sea.
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The California Boater Card shows that its holder has successfully taken and passed a NASBLA/state-approved boater safety education examination.
The Dilemma of Casting Off
Sailors often ponder the question of whether to stay put, or sail away. Some know the answer before the question even arises, while others take time to deliberate. What would you do?
America's Cup Commentary
The America's Cup Event (ACE) has stirred up a hornet’s nest in what seems to be an attempt to slow down Challenger of Record (CoR) Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli's march to winning the Prada Cup.
The Cost of Anchored Unseaworthy Vessels
So far this year, at least 25 boats have gone adrift in Richardson Bay, many of which were not operable and were unseaworthy.
Searching for a Mentor
I want to sail so bad my stomach gets butterflies just thinking about it in my small apartment in the mountains of North Carolina.
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Shop Latitude 38's Blow Out Sale and grab a bargain, or three!
The Resourceful Sailor Series
Adjusting the fine-tuning dial and tapping on the face used to get it to work. No longer. The needle made a hard stop at about 11 volts, and I knew this was wrong.
America's Cupdate
The opening weekend for the Prada Cup ended with Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli sweeping the first four races in dominant fashion over INEOS Team UK.
Spirited solo sailor takes on the world
Pip Hare was one of five finishers who crossed the line in the last 48 hours and is now resting securely after 95 days of solo racing.
Sailing Snippets
New docks, a new boat, a new Latitude 38 hat! What a great start to the new year!
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Join a 360 three-hour boat parade around Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island beginning at noon — clockwise. All boaters welcome.
DIY Boat Projects
Chris and Marissa Neely decided to replace the toe rail aboard their Cheoy Lee 41 with a bulwark — a long process, but worth the effort.
Italy vs. the United Kingdom
By reaching the Prada Cup Finals in the waters off Auckland, New Zealand, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli and INEOS Team UK have arrived on the porch step of the America's Cup Match.
Latitude 38 Classy Classifieds
Our deadline for the March issue is quickly approaching, get your ad in by this Monday, February 15th at 5 p.m. to see it in print as well as on our new website.
Sailors Helping Out in Mexico
While the word cruising suggests lounging on the aft deck or reading a book in a hammock, Fiesta de Veleros continues a long tradition of cruisers who appreciate the hospitality of the local Mexican community and give thanks by giving back.
The World Famous L38
Here is your February Caption Contest(!). Remember to check next month's Loose Lips for the winner.
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Discover San Francisco Bay and all that inspires those of us who live or visit here.
Keeping up to Date with Boater Safety
Discover the findings of a USCG boater survey, and sign up for a boater safety course — both are interesting and helpful.
Safety at Sea Certification
US Sailing has updated the Safety at Sea certificate requirements and expiration dates in response to the pandemic.
HazMat Team Responds to Spill
We just got word from Richmond Yacht Club that there's been an oil spill at the Chevron Long Wharf just south of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge.
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