September 18, 2000

September 18 – Richmond

Last Friday evening, Keefe Kaplan Maritime, Inc. (KKMI) of
Richmond threw their annual industry-only party. It gets better
every year, and hundreds attended this year’s wild west round-up.
During the party, the spotlight literally shone on ‘Abracadabra’,
one of the two America’s Cup boats Larry Ellison bought from
the Hawaiian syndicate to be trial horses for the campaign he’s
mounting under the St. Francis YC burgee. The buzz was that the
second boat was going to arrive soon. Could this mean that we’re
finally going to be seeing some America’s Cup style match racing
on San Francisco Bay?

Two of the people we saw at the party were Bill and Melinda Erkelens.
Back in ’94, we’d seen them at the end of the West Marine Pacific
Cup. They’d taken first to finish honors in that event, covering
more than 2,000 miles in just 11 days with the 26-ft Dogpatch
‘Moonshine’. “Our best day was 240 miles, but we had several
others in excess of 200,” Billy remembered with a smile.

Since Billy has been the skipper of Larry Ellison’s Farr-designed
82-foot ‘Sayonara’ for several years, we figured he’d have some
answers for us on what the two ‘Abracadabras’ were doing in San
Francisco.

Latitude: With the ‘Abracadabras’ having been bought by Ellison
either here or rumored to be on their way, is it possible that
we might see what many Northern California sailors have longed
for, some America’s Cup style racing on San Francisco Bay?

Erkelens: I’m sorry, but I can’t comment, as Larry has imposed
a total news blackout for now.

Latitude: Sources in New Zealand tell us that the former gray-with-green-shards
AmericaOne boats – that Ellison has also purchased – have been
painted white. Is that true?

Erkelens: I can’t comment on anything right now.

Latitude: “A few weeks ago, we visited the Ellison Racing
Web site, and to tell you the truth, it had that ‘under construction’
look. And now we can’t find it. Has it moved?

Erkelens: “Uh, the news blackout, you know.”

Right to Left: Paul Kaplan, wife Chris Kaplan,
and Paul’s “best friend”.
Ken Keefe wasn’t in western costume, so he didn’t make the photo.

Abracadabra
Photos Latitude

It wasn’t the most revealing interview, but judging from the
buzz around KKMI, we get the idea that Ellison – never one to
think small – has big plans. And if some of those plans included
America’s Cup-style action on San Francisco Bay – where Ellison’s
business is based and where he keeps one of his large motoryachts
– it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise in the world. Stay tuned
to ‘Lectronic Latitude for further news.

Weather Updates

September 18 –
Pacific and Atlantic Oceans

Tropical Weather

Tropical storms that threatened to wreak havoc on western
Florida and Baja California have either petered out or not developed.
Gordon, which started down in the Yucatan and reached minimum
hurricane force, faded just before reaching Florida. Damage was
limited.

Tropical Storm Miriam, which threatened Baja with up to 40-knot
winds, petered out to 30 knots or less as it worked its way up
the east cape into the Sea of Cortez. No damage is expected.

Unisys Weather Graphics

Cruising

The Colors of Mexico

September 18 –
Puerto Vallarta

Robert Sutherland of Mill Valley participated in last year’s
Ha-Ha with his Wylie 34 ‘Echo’, then continued on to Puerto Vallarta.
The two photos at right give a good view of his colorful life
this summer. The sunset is as seen from the cockpit of his boat
in her berth at Marina Iguana. The other view is of the colorful
Marina Iguana condos and community pool. The pool is a good thing,
because the daytime temps are normally in the ’90s. Sutherland
pays $270 U.S. a month for the 40 foot slip.

Photos Courtesy ‘Echo’