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Posts by Andy Turpin

A New Generation of Net Controllers

March 6, 2009
Cruisers seem to be in agreement that 10-year-old Mera and her sisters do a bang-up job as net controllers. Don Quixote
©2009 Latitude 38 Media, LLC When couples with children take off cruising, the parents sometimes enjoy the adventure much more than their kids. More »

Ballenas Interruptus

March 4, 2009
Craig and Kiki will keep a sharp lookout on their way south. Oya
©2009 Latitude 38 Media, LLC Apart from being a bit rolly, the La Cruz anchorage in Mexico’s Banderas Bay usually provides cruising sailors with a quiet night of sleep. More »

Puddle Jumpers Poised to Pounce

March 2, 2009
Corbie Von Stein of the Morro Bay-based Royal Passport 47 Emerald was all smiles when she and Rick made their Marquesan landfall a few years back. Still, we’ll bet she would have welcomed a night ashore in a swank hotel. More »

Boating Tragedy Has Lessons for All

February 27, 2009
In a tragic docking mishap several days ago, this bright young Australian was fatally injured. © van Os family Cruisers Jim and Emma Mather of the Redondo Beach-based Down East 45 Blue Sky alerted us to a horrible boating accident that occurred several days ago in Thailand, where they are currently cruising with their kids, Phoebe and Drake. More »

Inaugural Yacht Fest Makes Big Splash

February 25, 2009
Whoa! Where did all those shiny new yachts come from? As they say in the real estate biz, sellers were definitely ‘motivated.’ latitude/John A.
© Latitude 38 Media, LLC "I think Yacht Fest was fantastic!" More »

Economy’s Weak, but the Dollar’s Strong

February 23, 2009
Old-school fish transport in Zihuatanejo. The exchange rate is so good in Mexico right now, you can afford to eat fresh seafood every day. latitude/Andy
© Latitude 38 Media, LLC Not that anything about our current economic meltdown makes perfect sense, but it strikes us as pretty ironic that the dollar is actually stronger today than it has been in years in a bunch of places where sailors congregate. More »

From Roughing It to Five-Star Luxury

February 20, 2009
After weeks at sea in a small boat, chillin’ at a top-notch Pearl Resort will be a radical contrast. © Pearl Resorts Whether you’re a newcomer to offshore voyaging or a globetrotting ol’ salt, the 3,000 miles between Mexico and the Marquesas is a long, long way. More »

Deadline for Tahiti Bond Exemption

February 13, 2009
Gar Duke of Sausalito practices a little ‘old-school’ navigation on his way to the Marquesas. He and Nicole Friend are currently in Vanuatu. © Nicole Friend At a variety of ports along the coast of the Americas, dozens of cruising boats are poised to jump off on the 3,000-mile blue-water passage we call the Pacific Puddle Jump. More »

Z-Fest Nets Crucial Aid for Young Scholars

February 9, 2009
Saturday brought big fun to indigenous kids, who rarely even get to visit nearby beaches. Cruisers and shore-based expats hosted a variety of beach games. © 2009 Z-Fest Committee / Lee At a time when negative financial news is making headlines worldwide, cruisers and shore-based expats worked together in Zihuatanejo last week to garner roughly $45,000, which will aid local schools for underprivileged children. More »

Posh Base Opening is Cause for Celebration

February 2, 2009
‘Mocko jumbie’ stilt walkers dance as the conga line laces through the crowd at The Moorings Tortola base opening. latitude/Andy
© Latitude 38 Media, LLC Timed with the company’s 40th anniversary, The Moorings’ yacht charter firm officially opened its newly expanded Tortola, British Virgin Islands, base last week with a grand celebration. More »