Cap’n Rich strikes a pose aboard his 1933 50-ft cutter Java Head before heading out to the Obama Ball. © 2009 Kathy Mitchell Yesterday’s inauguration of President Obama created so much excitement here in San Francisco that even old salts like Captain Richard Gillette were inspired to take unprecedented measures — like donning a top hat and tails before attending one of several local Obama Inauguration Balls. More »

You can still play those old LPs if you want, and by all means restore that old Herreshoff schooner. But as of February 1, that ancient 121.5 EPIRB of yours will not only be useless, it will be illegal. More »

Today, flood waters are finally subsiding in Fiji’s tourism center, Nadi, after three days of torrential rain devastated the area during the peak of tourist season. According to Paul McCulloch, owner of the Robinson Crusoe Island resort, a cyclone passed far to the south of the Fijian islands causing no harm initially, but when the system became stationary it held a band of low pressure over the islands for three days with gale-force winds. More »

Roman, not really looking like a guy in his 30s, owns over a billion dollars worth of motoryachts. RussPhoto
©2009 Latitude 38 Media, LLC If you follow the news, you know that Russian oligarchs are among the richest people in the world, but that they have suffered almost unfathomable financial losses in the last year. More »

Even after the thief was caught redhanded with items stolen off parked boats at Pier 39, Harbormaster Sheila Chandor was unsure how to proceed. It didn’t make much sense to call the police, since the fenders in question were stolen by . More »

The proud craftsman takes a trophy run around the marina, while his partner’s daughter, Martine, toasts his splendid accomplishment. Love in Vane
©2009 Latitude 38 Media, LLC "We’ve all read about the magnificent Maltese Falcon, but at the other end of the sailing spectrum is my 7-foot, 7-inch Lil Love," writes John Chille of Alameda. More »

Still lookin’ good 123 years after her launch, Balclutha will be hauled out in Alameda until spring. © Capt. Jack Goldthorpe No San Francisco landmark commemorates the city’s rich maritime history more dramatically than the 301-ft (LOA) square-rigger Balclutha. More »

On or around New Year’s Eve, a 24-ft sailboat washed up on Ocean Beach. U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Reed reports that Sherry Mae broke loose from her mooring — he could not confirm where she was moored — while her owner was out of town. More »