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Posts by John Arndt

Lunatic Power

July 20, 2018
If yours was one of the 356 entries that did not finish this year’s Three Bridge Fiasco, besides scanning the horizon for breeze and tweaking sails, you had some time to contemplate the challenges and opportunities of clean energy. More »

Find Your Lane on the Bay

July 16, 2018
When describing summer sailing on San Francisco Bay, sailing instructors often compare it to ski areas with the ‘black diamond’ trails along the windy Cityfront, the ‘blue squares’ perhaps over between Angel Island and Belvedere and Sausalito, and the ‘Green Circles’ in the Oakland estuary or in the lee of Angel Island or Tiburon. More »

Mild Launch For Final Pac Cup Starters

July 13, 2018
Pulling the short straw, the Pacific Cup’s big-boat BMW of San Rafael E division is set to start today in the least favorable conditions of this week’s four starting days. If you’re the Moore 24 Foamy — the smallest boat in the fleet — we’re sure it feels a little better knowing that the 70-footers you assumed would be breathing down your neck will actually be parked in the Gulf of the Farallones on a day better suited for drop-line fishing than racing to Hawaii. More »

They’re Off. Again.

July 11, 2018
The four divisions of Pacific Cup Monday starters scored a beautiful day for a sail on the Bay, but made sure it was short-lived by dashing for the Gate and pointing southwest as they latched onto the reaching conditions to propel them west. More »

Foundation of Philosophy

July 9, 2018
As noted in the story above, the day you start a race can have a big impact on how you finish. You ready the factors that you can control. You prepare your boat, crew, meals, and strategy, and fine-tune everything for the 2070-mile race to Hawaii. More »

Pacific Keel Klutter

July 6, 2018
It’s a busy time of year for the Pacific. With so many sailing events leaving the West Coast, the sea life might be sensing an invasion from their landbound descendants.   The Pacific Puddle Jumpers left the West Coast earlier in the spring, while the Singlehanded TransPac racers are beginning to arrive in Hanalei Bay. More »

Hurricane Beryl

The 2018 hurricane season has just begun, and there already appears to be a significant hurricane heading to the West Indies. On its current projected course, Hurricane Beryl is headed for Dominica, which was devastated last fall by Hurricane Maria. More »

Operation Dry Water

July 2, 2018
If one of your favorite sailing ditties is "What do you do with a drunken sailor…" you should know the Coast Guard has an answer. The Coast Guard wants everyone to know that USCG units throughout Northern California, alongside other law enforcement agencies, are scheduled to increase boating safety patrols Friday through Sunday in support of Operation Dry Water, a nationwide effort to increase enforcement of boating-under-the-influence laws. More »