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Posts by Andy Turpin

Last Call for Heroes

June 1, 2011
We’ve received lots of well-deserved nominations for local ‘unsung heroes’ since we recently put out a call (here and in Latitude 38 magazine) for nominations. If you’re unclear on the concept, let us clarify that we’re interested in spotlighting sailors who quietly make a difference in our sport with little or no recognition — folks who, out of the goodness of their hearts, volunteer their time and expertise to introduce novices to our sport, mentor young people, nurture disabled sailors, endure long hours bobbing around on committee boats, or teach the time-honored skills of marlinspike seamanship. More »

Here Come the Woodies!

May 27, 2011
Whether you’ve got a ride for the big event or are simply observing from the sidelines, the Regatta is an eyeful of nautical history. latitude/Andy
© Latitude 38 Media, LLC Wondering what to do on Memorial Day weekend? More »

Last Chance for a Ride on the Eagle

May 25, 2011
Her offshore sailing career began when she took first place in the ’78 Whitbread ‘Round the World Race. For two decades afterward she sailed the world educating would-be voyagers. © 2011 OCC School of Sailing & Seamanship Rumors have been circulating all year that the famous warhorse-turned-sail-training-vessel Alaska Eagle may be sold after completing her current schedule. More »

’02 Puddle Jump Reunion Set for March

May 23, 2011
After completing the 3,000-mile passage from Mexico, lying at anchor at Fatu Hiva was both beautiful and blissful. Raven
© Latitude 38 Media, LLC During the many years that we’ve been reporting on the Pacific Puddle Jump migration from the West Coast of the Americas to French Polynesia we’ve noticed that in some years the fleet members seemed to be extremely well organized and other years, well . More »

Poor Man’s Sandblasting Solution

May 20, 2011
Seems like every time we receive a note from longtime cruiser Kirk McGeorge of the USVI-based Tayana 42 Gallivanter it brings a chuckle. His latest offering was no different.  When chain gets this rusty, most sailors would simply replace it. More »

DreamKeeper Completes Her Lap

May 18, 2011
Did Gar take sun sights all the way around the world? Ahh, probably not. But on light-air days during the Pacific crossing it was sure fun to practice. DreamKeeper
© Latitude 38 Media, LLC Sausalito sailors Gar Duke and Nicole Friend of the Pacific Seacraft 40 DreamKeeper had cause for celebration last week, as they crossed their outbound track in Banderas Bay, thus completing a four-year circumnavigation. More »

Who is Your Unsung Hero?

May 16, 2011
If you’re a regular Latitude reader you’ve probably noticed that many of the same names make headlines and show up in racing box scores again and again. While these sailing stars certainly deserve the notoriety, in an upcoming article we plan to turn the spotlight on a lesser-known group of sailors who quietly make a dramatic difference in our sport with little or no recognition — a group we’ll call Latitude 38‘s Unsung Heroes. More »

Classy Classifieds Really Do Work

May 13, 2011
Did you know that, according to a recent survey of Latitude readers, 92% of respondents read the Classy Classifieds? No wonder we get so many letters like this one from a recent advertiser: "Please cancel our ad for a 50% equity partner for our boat. More »

Blubber in the Rigging

When racing offshore, such as in the Oregon International Offshore Race from Astoria, OR to Victoria, BC, there are always plenty of safety concerns. But getting clobbered by a breaching humpback whale isn’t usually one of them. More »