Posts by Richard
Where Do You Get Mexico Weather Info?
"I’m headed to Mexico this year," writes a Southbound cruiser who wants to remain anonymous because his employer doesn’t know he’s taking off, "and like all cruisers I’m very interested in the weather. More »
Transponder Info Clarifies Aegean Tragedy
At least part of the mystery of how the Redondo Beach-based Hunter 376 Aegean was destroyed during last weekend’s Lexus Newport to Ensenada Race may have been solved. Aegean‘s SPOT Messenger GPS track shows the boat on a constant course and speed for more than three hours — leading them directly onto the rocky shore of North Coronado Island. More »
Debate Continues, Investigative Panel Announced
Philosophically, we at Latitude 38 have always been much more in favor of personal responsibility than we are of big and/or nanny government. Nonetheless — and perhaps mostly in deference to the families of those who lost their lives in the terrible Low Speed Chase tragedy — we have sort of grudgingly accepted Captain of the Port Cindy Stowe’s decision to suspend offshore racing until an investigation can be completed. More »
Different Kind of Drug Murder in Mexico
There was a drug world-related murder last Friday night in Mexico that is notable for two reasons. First, it took place at a very unusual location: the Starbucks in Nuevo Vallarta, just a few hundred feet from Paradise Village Marina and just 100 yards from the entrance to the super family-friendly Paradise Village Resort, both of which have extensive security infrastructure. More »
Watch It! You Might Have Won
Caution: This is a curious story that involves classic yachts in the Caribbean, a Northern California owner, a mediocre finish in class, the top award presented by a rock ‘n roll star, and squabbling in the crew over a watch. More »
Has the Coast Guard Gone Overboard?
"The Yacht Racing Association (YRA) is taking a chickenshit position on the Coast Guard’s just-announced revocation of offshore racing permits," Matt Peterson of FastBottoms Hull Diving wrote on our Facebook page. More »
Volvo Ocean Race Update
Puma’s Mar Mostro had great reaching conditions right out of Itajaí.
© 2012 Amory Ross / Volvo Ocean Race
The Volvo Ocean Race grind continues with Leg 6 from Itajaí, Brazil, to Miami, a run north to trade winds and sunshine. More »
Paying for the Privilege to Anchor
A growing — and to us disturbing — trend has been the increasing number of places that require cruising boats to pay to anchor. For instance, we recently took ‘ti Proflgiate to the Dutch side of Sint Martten, where upon checking in we were assessed a fee of $47. More »
Dying Fishermen Spotted from Cruise Ship
As if the cruise ship industry hasn’t taken enough of a public relations beating recently following the Costa Concordia tragedy off Italy and Carnival Splendor losing all power with 4,500 passengers off Mexico, there are now allegations that the crew and/or captain of Carnival’s Star Princess ignored three bird-watcher passengers who alerted them to the fact that three fishermen were desperately signalling for help after their boat broke down off the coast of Panama on March 10. More »
What Is It with Cruise Ships and Lights?
We’ve been ocean sailing at night a bit lately, which has reminded us of one of our big grips — what’s the deal with cruise ships and navigation lights? All the ones we’ve seen have been equipped with the proper navigation lights, yet on every one, the navigation lights have been all but overwhelmed by all the other lights on the ship. More »
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