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Sailing in the Times of Pandemic

While the current health drama unfolds we’ll do our best to keep this page up to date with news that we feel impacts our readers. Disclaimer: There is no way for it to be comprehensive or completely up to date but we’ll do our best to keep it helpful and as current as possible. If you have news you think we should post email it to [email protected]. We’ll do our best to include given time and resource constraints.


Please heed official guidance and we also feel the advice of the president of French Polynesia is good for all of us: “I invite you all to the utmost rigor in your behavior. Avoid contact, limit travel to what is strictly necessary. Be responsible citizens to prevent the virus from spreading.” Edouard FRITCH, President of French Polynesia.

Latest News and Information

News of the YRA Encinal Regatta, PICYA Lipton Cup and More

By Christine Weaver | July 15, 2020 |
Bob and Lori on Hang 20

“With the spiraling caseloads in most Bay Area counties, we feel the responsible and safe course of action is to postpone the Encinal Regatta.”

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Sailing to Angel Island on Two Weekends in July

By Christine Weaver | July 15, 2020 |
Boats moored in Ayala Cove

Nancy and I spent Fourth of July weekend at Angel Island. We pulled into Ayala Cove around 11 a.m. on Friday, and there were already a handful of boats on the moorings.

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Checking in from the Philippines, and Checking in on ‘Vega’

By Monica Grant | July 13, 2020 |
Vega lies on her starboard side

Santa Cruz sailor, Tom Van Dyke, is sheltering-in-place in the Philippines and decided to check-in with an update of his current whereabouts and sailing life. Tom left Santa Cruz in 2012, aboard his Jim Brown Searunner 31, En Point.

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You Can’t Mask the Pleasure of Sailing

By Monica Grant | July 10, 2020 |
Smith family aboard Modern Sailing's Catalina 320

Sailing is one of life’s greatest pleasures — don’t let something as simple as a mask stop you from doing what you love.

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Stanford Sailing To Lose Varsity Status

By Tom Burden | July 10, 2020 |
Two J105 sailboats with spinnakers showing Stanford and Cal logos

Stanford University has announced that its intercollegiate sailing program will become a “club sport,” losing its varsity status after next year’s season.

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You Think This is Bad? — Remembering Harry

By John Riise | July 8, 2020 |
Harry Friz

The ups and downs of COVID-19 drive us as crazy as everyone else. With all due respect for the real financial and psychological impact the pandemic is having on society, if you think this is bad, let us relive a story for you that we did way back in 1996 about Captain Ottmar “Harry” Friz, one of the most amazing seafarers and gentlemen we’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting.

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Is It Island Time Yet?

By John Arndt | July 8, 2020 |
British Virgin Island Anchorage

Almost all the cruising stories we’ve been reporting lately have involved the shutdown of various islands and cruising grounds. Recently the closing-trends have slowly started to reverse, as islands get a handle on the caseloads and how to manage life during the pandemic.

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Checking in from Puerto Vallarta

By John Arndt | July 6, 2020 |
Wharram Tiki 30 Oleaje

While this is the quiet season in Puerto Vallarta, it doesn’t mean Paul Martson of J/World hasn’t been busy. He and his wife, Jennifer took on a pandemic project for their 2014 Wharram Tiki 30, Oleaje.

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Fireworks New Boating Safety Concern

By Christine Weaver | July 1, 2020 |
Fireworks over water

The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water has a few boating safety reminders just in time for the holiday.

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July Racing Preview

By Christine Weaver | June 29, 2020 |
2 boats sail past Angel Island

During the month of June, a lot of good news crossed the Latitude 38 Racing Desk. Now to figure out whose races are on, and which organizers are still holding off.

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Announcements

3/23/20 Denison Yachts will be holding a live, virtual boat show on Friday, March 27th. Learn more here.

3/20/20 Call of the Sea announces suspension of school programs and upcoming charter programs. More here.

3/20/20 West Marine will remain open on a limited schedule. Read details here.

3/19/20 Treasure Island Sailing Center is closed until April 7th. Full details here.

3/19/20 Pacific Sail & Power Boat Show is canceled. Sail America developing some supplemental, virtual alternatives. More to follow.

3/18/20 KKMI reports they are operating under restricted conditions. To learn more read here: https://www.kkmi.com/safety/

3/18/20 OCSC Sailing and Modern Sailing are closed until April 7th.