In July, we put out a call for a sailing host family for German exchange student Viviane Farke. She found one and we’ll bring you a full report on how she and her ‘family’ are doing in an upcoming issue of Latitude 38, but Cheryl Williams, the placement coordinator who contacted us about Vivi, reports that another young German sailor is hoping for a sailing host family as well. More »

Ideal tropical sailing conditions are on tap for Wednesday’s start of the Banderas Bay Blast, three days of socializing, fundraising and ‘nothing serious’ cruiser-style racing just outside of Puerto Vallarta. Co-organizer Mike Danielson reports that prior to this morning’s net, 17 boats had signed up, with a total of about 30 expected. More »

Whether you love to gorge on turkey, you sail a turkey of a boat, or are a turkey yourself, the crew at Latitude 38 would like to thank all of you for not only reading our quasi-literary efforts, but also for inspiring us with your stories and photos. More »

The 25th running of the granddaddy of all cruiser rallies, the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, got underway yesterday from the Canary Islands with a massive 233-boat fleet bound for Rodney Bay in St. More »

Profligate, floating in the mystic about half an hour before sunrise at Punta Mita, Banderas Bay. Sunrises and sunsets have been fantastic, and the days have featured cloudless blue skies and warm — but not hot — temperatures. More »

Laura Dekker really seems to feel at home on the sea, but a challenging Atlantic crossing is still in front of her. Guppy
© Latitude 38 Media, LLC Dutch teen Laura Dekker, 14, finally left the Canary Islands last Wednesday aboard her 37-ft Jeanneau Gin Fizz Guppy on the next leg of her attempt to become the world’s youngest solo circumnavigator. More »

With the Ha-Ha having ended a couple of weeks ago and everyone having had a chance to recuperate, more events for cruisers are coming up in Mexico. For those in La Paz , the beach party at Papas & Beer Beach Club happened yesterday afternoon, featuring Mexican folk dancing, live rock music, food and drink, door prizes and more. More »

Laura Zekoll was an avid sailor and adventurer, even after losing the use of her right arm from a motorcycle accident at 16. Toni Ralston
©2010 Latitude 38 Media, LLC Laura Zekoll, 46, of Atlanta, Georgia, who had been a member of the Caribbean 1500 fleet aboard Rule 62, a Jeanneau 46DS, is presumed to have been lost at sea on November 13 or 14 after the liferaft she and the rest of the crew were in flipped, dumping them all into the water near Marsh Harbor in the Bahamas. More »