Latitude 38’s February Issue Docks Today
We’re ending January with the February issue — couldn’t wait until tomorrow to share the next month’s stories and photos of sailors doing what they love. Sailing! Put the coffee on hold and go grab your copy to read with a steaming cup of your favorite winter brew. Or, if you have to, sneak it onto your desk and have a read while you wait for all those downloads/uploads to finish.
Here’s a preview:
Debunking the Myths and Rumors of Cruising in French Polynesia
If you’ve ever dreamed of sailing away to the South Seas and exploring all of the magical islands of French Polynesia, but put your plans on pause because of horror stories on the internet of boats being vandalized or robbed, or tales of dinghies being stolen and locals being hostile to cruisers, I want to set the record straight. Here’s my firsthand experience with explanations of how some of those situations can be easily avoided.
Ocean Romeo Macedo didn’t dream of working in the marine trades as a young man. Instead, he wanted to become a professional surfer — and he was well on his way.
Growing up in Lahaina, Maui, Ocean already had multiple sponsors by the time he was in sixth grade, and was surfing in “quite possibly the most competitive age bracket to ever grace the contest scene, Hawaii’s under 12 division,” Freesurf magazine wrote about 10 years ago. “It goes without saying that Hawaii has no shortage of youthful endowment, but this talented up-and-comer is a step above the rest.”
But when the pandemic hit, the global surfing contest circuit shut down. Macedo — who is now 21 years old — was able to dig into his hobbies, and his community on Lahaina, to find other interests. That led him to Spaulding Marine Center’s Boatworks 101 Apprenticeship.
Rolex Sydney Hobart Race: Boxing Day Packs a Punch
It was controlled mayhem as 103 yachts of all sizes, shapes and descriptions jockeyed for positions at the start of the 78th Sydney to Hobart ocean race on Boxing Day, December 26. Hundreds of spectator and press boats clogged the harbor while drones and helicopters hovered overhead. The narrow passageway out of the harbor, guarded by the towering cliffs of the North and South Heads, was a sea of froth as boats attempted to claim rights as they hurtled out to the Tasman Sea.
Among the fleet was the only American boat in the race, the newly commissioned Beneteau First 44 Lenny, skippered by California ocean racer and boat dealer Charles Devanneaux.
Plus, we bring you all your favorite monthly columns:
- Letters: How Many Days a Year Do You Sail the Bay?; The Pier Was Not a Factor; New Equipment Requirements for YRA and SSS Offshore Races; Red Rock, the Least-Famous Island in San Francisco Bay, Has a $25 Million Price Tag; and many more Letters to the Editor.
- Sightings: Judge Says “No Right” to Anchor in Richardson Bay; Good Trouble Brings Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to Sailing; My First Sail On My New Boat; US Sailing Sues AmericaOne Inc. and Paul Cayard; and other stories.
- Max Ebb: Winging It.
- Racing Sheet: The Midwinter season is at its height. Here we check in with Golden Gate (complete with capsize, rescue and recovery) and Jack Frost, then head down the coast to Monterey and Marina del Rey — all in one day! Then it’s back up to the Estuary and Berkeley. We end with the Corinthian Midwinters.
- World of Charter: This month we hear from Dennis Maggard, who shares his Moorings charter experience of spending a family holiday in the British Virgin Islands.
- Changes in Latitudes: With reports this month on Wayfinder’s almost-empty-nest adventure; Appa’s young owners making good their escape; and Convergence’s first (can you believe it?) Baja Ha-Ha. We also catch up with a few more 2023 contributors in our annual “Where Are They Now?” feature, and check in with a few other folks in Cruise Notes.
-  Loose Lips: We share January’s Caption Contest(!) winners.
- The sailboat owners and buyers’ bible, Classy Classifieds.
If you’re a subscriber, your magazine is on its way. Or you can go to your own favorite or nearest outlet. Here’s a map of where to find Latitude 38 magazine.
By the way, if you enjoy stopping in at yacht clubs, chandleries, marina offices and other places and having a chat with the folks there, we could have the best opportunity for you! We’re looking for a new driver for the East Bay route – Point Richmond to Oakland Marina. It’s a one-day-a-month commitment. Oh, and we will pay you! More information here.