Posts by John Riise
Reelin’ In the Years: Reconnecting With Marc Hightower and ‘Free Bird’ Part 1
After more than 30 years radio silence, we caught up with Marc Hightower and his Montgomery 17 'Free Bird.'
Fair Winds — Jack Van Ommen
Jack Van Ommen passed away on June 8 in Virginia. He was 89.
Master Mariners 2026 — Clash d’Elegance
The annual Master Mariners Regatta represents the fun, color, spectacle and history of sailing on San Francisco Bay.
Going Dutch — Huub’s Pacific Puddle Jump
Huub van der Mark believed starting as a crew member, or boat hitchhiker, sounded like a good way to start learning about sailing.
Where Are They Now? Sailors Changing Latitudes
By the time their stories appear on these pages, the sailors who wrote them are often many miles and oceans away on further adventures.
The Strange Journey of the Formosa 51 ‘Fair Seas’
In June we asked readers for help in reconstructing the history of Fair Seas, a Formosa 51 that became the centerpiece of a restaurant in Tonga.
Performance Art — The Creation of ‘C³’
One of the most unique boats to sail the Bay in recent years is Charles Ray's 60-ft 'C³' ("C cubed"). Part catboat, part "Batboat," part performance art.
The Kraken: Raising the Bar in the South Pacific
When Jim and Pam Yares of the Catana 472 'Roam' walked into a bar named The Kraken in Neifu, Vava’u, Tonga, they found a big old Formosa 51 anchored firmly inside.
Mexican Tall Ship Hits Brooklyn Bridge Leaving Two Dead
The Mexican tall ship Cuauhtémoc drifted backward under the Brooklyn Bridge, snapping off all three of her topmasts and killing two crew.
‘Bayesian’ Salvage Begins
Operations began on Sunday to raise 'Bayesian', the 183-ft Perini Navi sloop that sank during a storm on August 19, 2024.
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