January 18, 2002

Photo of the Day

January 18 –
Mystery Location

Today’s Photo of the Day is a mystery photo – as in we’re not
sure who sent it and what it is of. If we had to guess, we’d
say it was three boats rafted somewhere in the Sea of Cortez
and that some of the crew were having a swim competition. Can
anybody help us out?

Fossett Wins Again

January 18 – Portsmouth, RI

American multihull sailor and adventure sportsman Steve Fossett
today was named 2001 Rolex Yachtsman of the Year. The world record-setting
skipper of the 125-ft maxi-catamaran PlayStation was cited
by a distinguished panel of sailing journalists for his five
new world records set during the past calendar year – Miami to
New York, New York to the UK (Transatlantic), The 24 Hour Record,
Round the Isle of Wight and Cowes-St Malo (across the English
Channel).

“I’m a happy, happy guy,” said
Fossett. “It is very gratifying to be recognized by my peers
in the sport, especially for the kind of sailing I do.”

The highlight of Steve’s year was a new
west to east Transatlantic record, which Steve and his nine-man
crew shattered in October – breaking the 11-year old mark by
almost two days with a new mark of 4 days, 17 hours, 28 minutes,
6 seconds. It was the 24th attempt on Jet Services 5’s
1990 record – and, indeed the fourth by Steve and PlayStation
since 1999. During this same passage they also broke the 24 Hour
Record, raising that standard to 687.17 nautical miles (28.63
kts average speed).

Is That You Dale?

January 18 – St. Barts

One of the best things about being a yachting journalist is that
no matter what port you’re in, you’re apt to bump into an old
friend. For example, while in St. Barts over the holidays, we
were standing in front of Cheeseburgers in Paradise, when a guy
walked by who looked a lot like Dale Goff. In the ’80s, Dale
was a young guy spending all his money restoring and maintaining
the schooner Landfall in San Francisco Bay. As we remember,
Dale’s dad thought it was something of a waste of time.

It had been years since we’d seen Dale,
so we weren’t sure if the guy walking by Cheeseburgers was really
him. It was. And it turns out, he’s recently become skipper of
a boat in the Caribbean – a near new 95-footer named Valkyrie.
So Dale’s not only doing something he loves, but he’s obviously
very successful at it. He says “hello” to all his friends
back in Sausalito.

Dale in Paradise

A day or two later while walking around
Gustavia, we bumped in Edda Rottscheidt, who had done the 1999
Ha-Ha aboard the Lagoon 37 Adia. Edda has been cruising
the Caribbean aboard a Tayana 52 for the last few months with
a guy she met through a crew list. Alas, she’s about to return
to San Francisco to resume her career.

Ha-Ha and Caribbean vet Edda
Photos Latitude/Richard

Who Wants to Be a Sailor in the Movies?

January 18 – Rosarito, Baja California

Director Peter Weir (Truman Show, Green Card, Dead Poet’s
Society, Witness) is looking for tall-ship sailors to work
as actors (speaking parts) and extras for a major motion picture
based on Patrick O’Brian’s sea-going adventure novel, The
Far Side of the World. Those selected will work aboard the
HMS Rose (currently en route from New England to Baja,
Mexico). A full-rigged replica of an 18th century British frigate,
the Rose will portray the Surprise – the movie’s
hero ship. Men and boys – ages 10 to 40, all colors, shapes and
sizes – are needed in order to realistically capture the look
of British, Irish, Scottish, Swedish, African and French sailors
of 1806. All positions are paid and a living allowance will be
provided. Filming is scheduled to run from June to mid-October
of this year. Those who will be needed for the entire time can
expect to be on scene for approximately 20 weeks. The production
will stage out of Rosarito, Baja, Mexico, which is very close
to San Diego.

Those interested in appearing in the film
should send a current photo (color print or Polaroid) – a portrait
that features the face. In addition, include information about
height, weight, hair color, experience, sailing and acting skills,
etc., as well as telephone numbers and email address. Photographs
and information should be sent immediately to: Judith Bouley,
Casting, Commander Productions, 6341 Arizona Circle, Los Angeles,
CA 90045.

Maybe We Were Wrong to Believe Madonna

January 18 – Antarctica

For the last several years Madonna and
a bunch of Hollywood types have been ranting and raving that
we’re all going to die because of global warming. Any scientist
who said that such a conclusion might be a rush to judgment was
labeled an idiot or a flunky of industry.

Based on recent reports, maybe we should
enjoy Madonna for her music and antics, and leave the science
to others. According to the recent issue of Science, the
ice in West Antarctica is actually thickening, meaning it’s less
likely that the ice caps will melt and sink half the islands
of the world. And just last week, Nature reported that
Antarctica’s desert valleys – a bellwether for climate change
– have grown noticeably cooler over the past 15 years. This is
a reverse of the trend in the last 100 years where the valley
temperatures were getting warmer.

The bottom line is that we don’t know if
we’re in the midst of global warming, and we don’t think anybody
else knows for sure either. After all, we’re just getting snapshots
of very long-term trends.

Tropical Cyclones Is the Answer

January 18 – Tonga

The question is why do most cruisers leave
the South Pacific in November for New Zealand or Australia. On
New Year’s Day, tropical cyclone Waka smashed into Neiafu,
Tonga, where only six weeks before many cruisers had been enjoying
the tropical life. For the complete story, check out the February
Latitude 38.

Corbin Still Crazy

January 18 – Hawaii

Many readers know by now that Ron Corbin,
who did the Singlehanded TransPac and Ha-Ha with his much traveled
Olson 30 Still Crazy, lost the boat earlier this month
when she ran onto some rocks just north of Banderas Bay as he
was sleeping. Not only was the Olson lost, but so was Betty,
the inflatable doll that has made many ocean crossings with him.

Still Crazy in Mexico
Photo Latitude/Richard

During a phone conversation the other day,
the beat up Corbin was, as always, upbeat. He told us that after
the end of the last Singlehanded TransPac, he’d met “some
chick at Princeville” who had turned him on to Gene Wells,
who had a 40-ft cold molded pilothouse sloop he wanted to sell.
Although Corbin admired the boat, his heart belonged to Still
Crazy. But with Still Crazy now gone, Ron, still crazy,
flew to Hawaii hoping to purchase Wells’ boat.

The San Francisco Sports & Boat Show

January 18 – San Francisco

The San Francisco Sports & Boat Show
runs through this Sunday the 20th at the Cow Palace. While not
Pacific Sail Expo it does have some sailboats on display, some
marine electronics and some great boat show deals. Of course,
in true Cow Palace fashion you can also see a motorized hot dog
and a stretch limo Hummer.

The sailboats on display include the boats
from Sydney, Caliber, Dufour, Hunter, Jeanneau, MacGregor and
Windrider trimarans all with great boat show deals including
some 0% financing. Other items available for sailors include
inflatables, sailing schools and cold beer on tap.

For the really big display of everything
a sailor might want you’ll have to wait until Pacific Sail Expo
at Jack London Square in Oakland coming April 17-21. However,
the days are already getting longer and the summer sailing months
aren’t that far away so a quick trip to Cow Palace might just
help you get the season started a little sooner.

YOTREPS

January 18 – 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/

Weather Updates

January 18 – Pacific Ocean

San Francisco Bay Weather

To see what the winds are like on the Bay
and just outside the Gate right now, check out http://sfports.wr.usgs.gov/wind/.
The National Weather Service site for San Francisco Bay is www.nws.mbay.net/home.html.

California Coast Weather

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.

Pacific Sea State

Check out the Pacific Ocean sea states
at: http://www.mpc.ncep.noaa.gov/RSSA/PacRegSSA.html.

For another view, see http://www.oceanweather.com/data/global.html.