Latitude 38 Halloween Delivery Day: November Issue

Happy Halloween, readers! We hope your day is filled with spooks and ghouls and a sprinkling of candy, or an adult equivalent. Oh, and of course, a lot of sailboats. But in case sailing is not on your agenda for the day, we’ve got you covered. Today is delivery day and the November issue of Latitude 38 is on the docks, or for subscribers, in the mail. Here’s a preview.

Don Trask: Builder of Sailors

The Bay Area sailing community recently lost one of its most influential and passionate figures. Don Trask, a lifelong sailor, competitor, and builder of boats who shaped generations of sailors, passed away at the age of 92, on September 29, 2025, in Mooresville, North Carolina. He left behind a legacy that extended far beyond San Francisco Bay. Don was best known as both a boat builder and fleet builder of Lasers and J/Boats, a competitive Star sailor, and a mentor who fostered a generation of Bay Area sailing champions. READ.

Detour to Alaska 2,800 Miles From Hawaii

The pickup crew of SV Detour was ready to depart Honolulu on June 24. After braving the chaos of a busy Walmart and completing $1,200 of provisioning at the more peaceful Safeway, we were stocked for a 20-day passage from the tropics to frosty Sitka, Alaska. What followed taught valuable lessons through unexpected challenges. READ.

Jack London’s 150th Birthday

The famous writer Jack London was known for his global adventures. His training ground and lifelong love was San Francisco Bay. When a friend suggested he move to Los Angeles at 27 years old, Jack replied, “Nay, nay, I am wedded to ‘Frisco Bay.”

To commemorate the 150th anniversary of Jack London’s birth on January 12, 1876, here is a look at the six boats he sailed on the Bay. READ.

Yankee Needs a New Home

There comes a time in every wooden boat’s life when a new steward is needed. Two old sailors want to pass on a Bay Area classic that’s been sitting dormant and is ready for new people to breathe new life into an old boat.

Some 120 years ago, Frank Stone and his son Lester were building the 65-ft gaff sloop Yankee — which has since been re-rigged as a schooner — at his boatyard on the San Francisco waterfront near the Presidio. The story goes that she was launched before the April 1906 earthquake. Surviving the disaster, Yankee has been racing and cruising the Bay ever since. READ.

Also in this month’s issue:

Letters: When the Worst Happens to a Boat You Know and Love Deeply; Wylie, Wooden and Worthy of Further Research; My Memories Have Been Pulled Seaward; Eighteen Years Aboard the 85-ft Ketch Nereus; and stacks more readers’ letters and comments.
Sightings: The America’s Cup Starry Night; CAF’s Adaptive Sailing in NorCal; Junior Coach Spotlight: Coach Parker; and other great stories.
Max Ebb: “Ringtails and Rigging”
Racing Sheet: The 2025 sailing season is wrapping up for most fleets and yacht clubs, as champions are decided and most sailors start to look forward to midwinters and then next season (at least after some skiing). This month’s Racing Sheet covers a legend returning to the pinnacle of his beloved Star Class; various champions who were crowned in the Vanguard 15, Express 27, J/105 and Knarr classes; and traditions old and new revisited in the Red Bra Regatta and Aldo Alessio. Enjoy this month’s Racing Sheet, and see regatta results in the Box Scores!
World of Charter: Cindy and Rick Patrinellis had heard good things about cruising in Croatia, so they teamed up with another couple to charter a Dufour 41 for a fun week of sailing and discovery — and found the country more charming than they could have imagined.
Changes in Latitudes: With reports this month on Makani‘s short but drama-fueled sprint from Huahine to Raiatea; another unscheduled trip to the boatyard for Salty Dancer; the last leg of Iwa’s long voyage from Alaska to Cabo; and a locker full of Cruise Notes.
All the latest in sailboats and sailboat gear for sale, Classy Classifieds.

Thanks to our drivers for getting out and about on this creepy morning and braving the cobwebs and skeletons to deliver your magazines.

We appreciate all readers and all our supporters — you keep the wind in our sails. Please show your appreciation by supporting the advertisers who have made this issue possible: Shop here.