A Closetful of Latitude 38 Memories

“Dear Latitude 38,
“I was cleaning out my closet and found my trove of clipped L38 articles from my days of faithfully reading every issue from ~1992–2008. I enjoyed going thru them one more time, and rather than just recycle them, I thought you might like seeing one reader’s collection. Perhaps some will give you ideas for new or updated articles for your fine magazine. I always found L38 to be informative, entertaining and a real service to Bay Area (and beyond) sailors — thanks.”

We received the above note from reader Dan Podell, who has been diligently reading Latitude 38 throughout his sailing life. Below is a follow-up he sent us, along with a photo of his younger self sailing his C27 on the Bay in the mid-’90s.

“I grew up sailing and racing my family’s Flying Scot and Pearson Ensign on Lake Michigan out of the Milwaukee Yacht Club. After moving to Northern CA in the 1980s I took up sailing again, exploring local lakes and reservoirs on a series of trailer sailboats I owned including a Catalina 22. Then from 1991–1996 I moved up to sailing the Bay on my Catalina 27 Kona Ku out of the Richmond Marina (bought and sold via L38 Classy Classifieds). No racing, just lots of great daysails and overnight adventures. I also spent three wonderful weeks crewing on a 50-ft ketch in the Sea of Cortez, crossing it twice sailing from Guaymas to La Paz to Puerto Vallarta with a couple I met through a Latitude Crew List party.

“After that I pretty much retired from sailing but enjoyed an occasional day charter on the Bay with a group of friends from work and kept in touch with the sailing world via Latitude 38.

“Regarding my trove of clipped articles: As you may have noticed, most of them deal with solid information on the practicalities of sailing and boat ownership — either “how to” or “destination guide”- type articles that I chose to save for possible future reference. But please know that I also thoroughly enjoyed reading all the great content in Letters, Loose Lips, Sightings, Max Ebb and feature articles each month — just didn’t save them. And I think it’s great that L38 still has the same organizational format and vibe after all these years.

“So, thanks so much for producing such a consistently great magazine for all these years. Keep going!”

Thanks, Dan, for the fun memories, and the great feedback. We love what we do and hope to continue for many year to come. 

*Regarding the Crew Party Dan mentioned: What a great reminder of how sailors connect and get to begin or expand their sailing lives! Our next Crew Party is on Thursday, September 10. Come join us! Perhaps you’ll make some new sailing friends and set off on new adventures, just like Dan!