To Ta-Ta or Not to Ta-Ta?

That is the question.

For five of the last six years, Richard Spindler, founder of Latitude 38 and the Baja Ha-Ha, has hosted the SoCal Ta-Ta, ‘Reggae ‘Pon Da Ocean’, a Southern California mini version of the Ha-Ha. Doña de Mallorca has been the head of security, and the 63-ft catamaran Profligate has been the mothership.

While there have been slight variations, the Ta-Ta — usually the second week in September — has generally gone as follows:

Sunday: Dinner on the sand at the Santa Barbara YC beneath the Bob Marley banners and frequently to the reggae versions of Pink Floyd’s music. Through the Ta-Ta, all participants who want it are able to get reserved (but not free) berthing in the Santa Barbara Yacht Harbor.

Monday: Sail approximately 25 miles to somewhere on Santa Cruz Island and spend the night. Sundowner party on Profligate for half the skippers and first mates.

Tuesday: Explore Santa Cruz Island, socialize, or just chill out. Second sundowner party on Profligate for the other skippers and first mates.

Wednesday: Sail the 20 or so miles from Santa Cruz Island to Vintage Marina Partners’ docks at Channel Islands Harbor, where gracious hosts Dan and Michelle have always managed to give all but two or three boats FREE! berthing for the night. There is a free BBQ on the docks that night, too.

Thursday: Sail 22 or so miles to Paradise Cove, just around the corner from Pt. Dume. Most of the time you’re less than a mile from the Pacific Coast Highway. It’s beautiful.

Friday: Sail 33 miles from Paradise Cove to Two Harbors, Catalina. Some of the greatest pleasure sailing I’ve enjoyed has been close reaching on this course at 10 to 13 knots. Until you’ve done it in prime conditions, you have no idea how great Southern California sailing can be.

Saturday Night: ‘Awards’ ceremony, conga line, slide show of event, and potluck at Buffalo Park, Two Harbors.

Doña and I will no doubt be doing this same route again this year because it’s the best sailing at the best time of year in Southern California. The question is if there is enough interest among sailors to do another official SoCal Ta-Ta.

To the host’s thinking, 25 boats are minimum for critical mass. So he’s putting out a request to see how many folks are not just interested, but very, very, very interested in doing such an event. The dates would be September 9 to 15. The cost would be $275, which includes swag such as hats and t-shirts, two free meals, and maybe — no promises — another free night of berthing at Channel Islands.

If you’re serious, please indicate your interest by sending an email to [email protected]. We’ll make a final decision on whether it’s a go or no-go by May 1.

Also, registration is now open for the Delta Doo Dah X. We’ll have a full story on the Doo Dah in Monday’s ‘Lectronic, but, in the meantime, you can find more information here.