When your intent is to break a prestigious ocean crossing record, picking the perfect ‘go’ date is, of course, crucial. It appears that Renaud Laplanche and Ryan Breymaier’s instincts were spot-on Wednesday morning, when they made the unexpected decision to withdraw their 105-ft maxi tri Lending Club 2 from the Transpac (before they’d even started) and instead pursue the outright Los Angeles-to-Honolulu record independently. More »

The right tool for the job? If weather conditions cooperate, Laplanche and Breymaier are hopeful that they can set a new L.A.-to-Honolulu record. © 2015 Mark Lloyd Images The Transpac lost one of its most high-profile entries today, as Lending Club 2‘s co-skippers, Renaud Laplanche and Ryan Breymaier, have decided to preempt their scheduled Saturday start and leave at noon today, independently, in order to take advantage of favorable winds being generated by a low pressure system. More »

As smart as they are, migrating whales occasionally get disoriented and enter the Bay. © Joanne Martin & Erika Janke For school-aged kids lucky enough to be invited aboard the German Frers-designed 46-ft sloop Golden Bear, a San Francisco Bay daysail is always a very special experience. More »

One of the challenges that many singlehanders face during long, lonely passages is how to keep themselves amused. Donna Lange has got that issue covered. An accomplished singer-songwriter, she never goes offshore without her trusty guitar.  More »

Sam’s Anchor Cafe in Tiburon is always a popular pit stop for boaters on summer weekends. But for obvious reasons, ‘front row’ parking is currently not advised for keelboats. © Art Hartinger When we first saw this snapshot from the July Fourth weekend, we were reminded of a quote by flamboyant author Hunter S. More »

Skippering the Open 60 Grey Power, the unstoppable Robin Knox-Johnston and crew were expected to be crowd favorites as they headed east from Newport today.  © 2015 onEdition If you’re into tracking offshore races from the comfort of your armchair, the Transatlantic Race — from Newport, RI, to Great Britain’s Lizard rock — should be high on your priority list. As More »

Has controversial Russian-born American sailor Rimas Meleshyus finally come to his senses? Ever since he crash-landed the first of his two San Juan 24s in the Aleutian Islands a few years ago, both friends and critics have been trying to talk him out of pursuing his dream of being the first to solo circumnavigate one of these tiny sloops, which were clearly not designed for open-ocean sailing. More »

We’re taking Friday off in honor of the Fourth of July and we hope you’ll be able to do the same. Over that three-day break, you’ll undoubtedly want to get out on the water, but before you shove off, be sure to pick up a copy of the just-distributed July issue of Latitude 38.  More »

This Facebook profile photo epitomizes Stefan Ries’ two great passions, surfing and sailing. Stefan Reis/Facebook
©2015Latitude 38 Media, LLC Officials in Panama have confirmed that the body found floating in the waters off the Pacific Coast of Panama is that of well-liked young German singlehander/surfer Stefan Ries. More »

A brief study of these boat-like ocean voyagers leads us to believe that Mother Nature must have a clear understanding of the effect of wind on sails.  © Lynn Ringseis On a recent visit to Stinson beach for a long, leisurely stroll on the sand, my captain and I encountered what appeared to be thousands of little rubbery toy sailboats. More »