‘Latitude 38’ July Issue Is Out Today!
It finally feels as if summer has landed, in the San Francisco Bay area at least. We know a lot of readers have been enjoying (or lamenting) higher temperatures for some time already. But today, it’s as though the weather gods are celebrating the arrival of the newest Latitude 38 — the July issue. Yes, folks, it is out today and on its way to your favorite distributor as we write. Take a peek at what’s inside, then go grab your hard copy!
The Coronado 35 Watchfire — A Season in the Delta
Between 1996 and 2000, Russel and Jennifer Redmond sailed their 26-ft Columbia sloop, Watchfire, around the Sea of Cortez for a year, then headed south and through the Canal to Florida and back again to San Diego. After that, Watchfire became famous for having burned to ashes in a wildfire in San Diego’s backcountry; that sad ending was featured in Latitude. They eventually bought Watchfire 2, a Coronado 35, and sailed her to the S.F. Bay Area in 2020, and have since moved on to cruising Puget Sound. Jennifer wrote a book on the Columbia 26 adventures called Honeymoon at Sea: How I Found Myself on a Small Sailboat (Toronto), coming out in September. In this issue we share Jennifer’s story about the months they spent in the Delta before heading on to the Pacific Northwest.
The Basics — How I Plan a Cruise
Sailor Gary Dickinson provides simple, straightforward advice on how to plan for a summer cruise in the Delta, the San Juan Islands, the Channel Islands or anywhere else.
For me, planning a cruise is the start of an exciting adventure! From the first cruise I planned many years ago to my most recent, the steps I take to prepare for each adventure, I’m happy to say, are the same every time.
The Redesign of San Francisco Marina Seems To Appeal to No One
It’s rare that there’s such widespread agreement on the need to repair a public facility, and apparent indignation at the proposed solutions. San Francisco Marina, which consists of West and East harbors, will soon be permanently transformed. The City of San Francisco has proposed closing East Harbor — also known as Gashouse Cove, home to the lone fuel dock on the Cityfront — in order to clean up toxic sludge. Along with the fuel dock, some 185 slips, which are now mostly empty and in terrible disrepair, will be relocated to West Harbor.
Plus, we bring you all your favorite, regular columns:
- Letters: Will This Be the Last Baja Ha-Ha?; A Boat Evoking Memories, and a Certain Far-Flung Boatyard; Some Coverage of the Cruise-In, Please; and many, many more.
- Sightings: Legendary Mahina Restored; Warm Up With the Delta Doo Dah; The Port of Los Angeles Goes Sailing; Starlink or Stars?; and other stories.
- Max Ebb: “To the Guillotine.”
- Changes in Latitudes: With reports this month on Meraki 2’s South Pacific rendezvous with family on Meraki 1; Mandolyn‘s tough decision to upgrade to Starlink; how Navasana‘s PPJ this year compared to her owner’s first one in 2011 — topped off by a tasty assortment of Cruise Notes.
- Racing Sheet: California Offshore Race Week connects Northern, Central and Southern California, Delta Ditch Run connects the Bay and Delta, PICYA’s Lipton Cup brings yacht clubs together in friendly competition, and Moore 24s make the pilgrimage to where they were made, in Santa Cruz. Mercurys wrap up their NorCal Series and SoCal sailors trek to Cat Harbor. Plus we visit Cityfront regattas, including the Elvstrom Zellerbach. Box Scores and Race Notes top us off.
- Loose Lips: Check out the results of the June Caption Contest(!).
- The sailboat owners and buyers’ bible, Classy Classifieds.
If you’ve subscribed to Latitude 38, you should receive your issue shortly. If you haven’t subscribed, you’re missing out, but you can still pick up your copy from your favorite distributor.
Today is also a day for celebration because the 2023 Baja Ha-Ha entry packets, with the new First Timer’s Guide and the 2023 flag inside, are going out in the mail to everyone already signed up. Sign up for the Baja Ha-Ha so we can send you a packet too!
