An outrigger sailing canoe glides across the Moorea lagoon. The island of Tahiti lies in the background, 12 miles away.  latitude/Andy
©Latitude 38 Media, LLC In ports all along the west coast of the Americas, several hundred adventurous sailors are preparing to set sail for the storied isles of French Polynesia — an annual migration we call the Pacific Puddle Jump.  More »

Over the weekend, docks in the Bay Area were bustling with activity, as we were blessed by two splendid, sunny days, after enduring weeks of almost nonstop rainstorms. Not surprisingly, one of the dominant topics of conversation heard between slip neighbors was, "How are you coping with mold and mildew?" More »

When a boat washes up on Bay Area shorelines it is the owner’s legal responsibility to remove it. If that’s not possible, taxpayers have to shoulder the burden.  © 2017 If you’ve been praying for more rain, please stop. More »

During Latitude 38’s early years one of the most challenging editorial efforts was reporting on the December 1982 storm that devastated the Cabo San Lucas anchorage. Days afterward, cruisers were still digging out salvageable hulls.  More »

Boat fires can be devastating to life and property. This one, which occurred in upper Santa Cruz Harbor Tuesday, caused a half-million dollars worth of damage. © 2017 KSBW8 TV Although the exact cause of Tuesday morning’s roaring, three-boat fire at Santa Cruz Harbor has not yet been officially released — an unattended space heater is suspected — the stunning incident should serve as a warning to all West Coast boaters and marina operators.  More »

While revving up to celebrate Latitude 38 magazine‘s 40th anniversary this spring, we’ve been reflecting on many past adventures of West Coast sailors, as well as unique Latitude offerings such as our long-established Crew List — which aims to connect potential crew with skippers in need. More »

The Three Bridge Fiasco, which draws the largest fleet of any race on San Francisco Bay, is always unpredictable and filled with drama. Normally that all begins at the start line. More »

From recent research we’ve learned that many longtime California sailors were introduced to the sport aboard small, simple-to-master boats such as Sunfish, El Toros and Lasers, which were launched off public beaches or launch ramps.  More »

We don’t know yet why the 48-ft sailboat Bobo Link sank Wednesday less than three miles off the Big Island of Hawaii — conditions on the scene appear to have been calm at the time — but the incident brings to light several important reminders for all offshore sailors. More »

It breaks our hearts every time a vintage wooden yacht is left to rot, or worse yet, is chopped into dumpster-sized pieces for lack of a better alternative. The latter option may be the fate of the 1937 Philip Rhodes thoroughbred Escapade if a new ‘steward’ doesn’t step forward before the end of this month to take on her necessary stem-to-stern refit.  More »