We’re #1! A new channel marker was recently installed just off
the Corinthian YC in Tiburon. We’re not sure why – except to
perhaps help the intoxicated mariners leaving Sam’s Anchor Cafe
find their way home.
Photo Latitude/Richard
Banned to King Harbor
August 8 – Southern California
A couple of TransPacs ago, long time racing helmsman Bob Boyes
of Ventura was sailing on a big sled when she was horizoned in
a very short time by Bruno Peyron and the 86-ft cat Explorer.
His reaction as a speed freak was simple: “I better look
into these multihulls.” So he bought a Rolland 36, which
is an ’80s era racing cat. He’s not been allowed to participate
in the King Harbor to Santa Barbara Race, so he’s sailed the
course the last two years as a renegade. Here’s his report.
“Even though we were not an official
entry in the race, we were first to finish – about 20 minuites
ahead of the 52-ft cat Afterburner, and about 45 minutes
ahead of the Andrews 70 Magnatude. This race and this
boat have become quite a story. The last two years the sponsoring
yacht clubs have not given us an oppertunity to race – even though
we have finished first in both races and last year set an unofficial
course record. They claim liability is the reason, but I feel
this is a cop-out for many reasons. 2 of 10 {the name
of his boat} and multihulls like her will not go away, as they
are scattered all over California and the world. These are boats
that are not only growing in recocnition and popularity worldwide,
but, if sailed and prepared properly, can be as safe as any other
racing multihull or monohulled vessel on the open ocean. I have
been sailing the fastest monohulls in the world over the last
25 years, have crossed many oceans in the world’s biggest races,
and see absolutely no reason to not include this type of boat
in our yacht racing community. My ideals not only differ with
a few of the yacht club people, but my frustration also extends
to ORCA. This Southern California multihull organization has
for many years put the clamps on many forward thinking multihull
designers and builders, preventing west coast sailors from greater
exposure to multihulls that are not only accepted in the other
more advanced yachting communities, but are racing at the highest
levels. If there are limitations to what is possible, then this
will continue to be a slow growth sport in which many of the
talented will become frustrated and bored. All some of us are
looking for is to have a little excitement along with a good
time – while feeling we are contributing to make our sport more
interesting.”
The thing that scares yacht clubs away
from more extreme cats such as 2 of 10, is incidents such
as occurred last year, when another Rolland 36 sailing alongside
the King Harbor fleet flipped forward and sank, nearly killing
the crew. Bob told us how that never should have happened – can
you write it up so we can share it with others?
Bob Boyes and 2 of 10
Photos Latitude/Richard
The Cup Overfloweth
August 8 – NZ to UK
The America’s Cup, the oldest sporting trophy in the world, is
getting bigger. When the Kiwis went to have their name engraved
on the trophy for winning the last Cup, they discovered – what’s
this?! – there wasn’t any room for their name. So the Cup goes
back to Asprey and Garrand Jewellers in London, who made the Cup
back in 1848.
Cat Fun
August 8 – San Francisco Bay
As mentioned in the August
7 ‘Lectronic,Profligate will be going sailing on Saturday
with a group of folks interested in big cats – and in supporting Profligate’s ‘sister city’ in Mexico. About 10 people expect
to participate. This is last call if you’re also interested. Email Richard.
Fossett Over Fiji, Playstation on
East Coast
August 8 – The World at Large
Adventurer Steve Fossett is in his ballon over Fiji, trying to
be the first to singlehand a balloon around the world. Playstation
sits on the East Coast, a victim – like Team Adventure
– of winds that have not yet lined up for a run at the TransAtlantic
Record.
YOTREPS
August 8 – The Pacific Ocean and Cyberspace
Who is out making passages in the Pacific
and what kind of weather are they having? Check out YOTREPS –
‘yacht reports’ – at http://www.bitwrangler.com/yotreps/
Looking for current as well as recent wind
and sea readings from 17 buoys and stations between Pt. Arena
and the Mexican border? Here’s the place – which has further
links to weather buoys and stations all over the U.S.: www.ndbc.noaa.gov/stuff/southwest/swstmap.shtml.
Pacific Winds and Pressure
The University of Hawaii Dept. of Meteorology
page posts a daily
map of the NE Pacific Ocean barometric pressure and winds.
