SIGHTINGS west harbor is
the (good) fortune 400 If you look on the spine of this issue, you’ll see that it’s the 400th issue of Latitude 38. When I took the Crazy Horse Canyon Road turnoff on Highway 101 on my way back from the printer in Santa Barbara in March of ‘77 to drop off the first copies of the first issue in Santa Cruz — something I vividly remember — I never dreamed that the 40-page issue created with $2,000 savings would become what it has in the ensuing 33+ years. And that it would lead to things like the Baja Ha-Ha and a host of other sailing events in Mexico, as well as ‘Lectronic Latitude. Even more shocking is that I, who had been an ultra casual, semi-irresponsible semi-hippie, would abruptly be transformed into the workaholic that I remain, unfortunately, to this day. (I know my life sounds as if it’s one of endless leisure and sailing pleasure, but the reality is actually just a tad different.) On the occasion of this milestone, I’d like to again sincerely thank the three groups who have made it all possible. First, you the readers, without whom the magazine would have no reason to exist. Second, all of the great advertisers — and please take a bow, Richard Spindler, aboard his Kame and Sally of Pineapple Sails for having Bounty II ‘Flying Scud’ at anchor supported us with a full-page in the same spot at Paradise Park, Tiburon, 1976, for all 400 issues. And certainly not the least, thinking to himself, “I think I’ll the group of incredibly hard-working people start a sailing magazine.” who have labored at Latitude over the years, employees who have always gone the extra mile to produce the best possible issues they could. Thank you, thank you, and thank you. But on this particular milestone, I’d especially like to thank a subgroup — those of you who have taken the time to send letters to the editor. These letters have inspired me to think, laugh, scream, and produce just about every other reaction known to man, though usually not all from just one letter. The letters have provided me with a unique place and opportunity to dispense factual information that I’ve gathered over the decades, as well as opinions, musings — and even the occasional uncontrolled, written-in-the-middle-of-the-night rant. What fun! Having written and/or edited, taken photos for, and laid out something in the realm of 14,000 editorial pages over the years, I’m happy to say I still get a kick out of it. Once again a sincere and heartfelt thanks to every one of you who has been a part of Latitude 38. — richard spindler, publisher
Just in time for the Rolex Big Boat Series last month, the City finished the dredging of San Francisco’s West Harbor, home to San Francisco Marina, Golden Gate YC, and St. Francis YC. It took about two months, but the dredging not only deepened the channel from 12 to 18 feet, but also widened it. Bright Winn, port captain at GGYC, also reports that a 100-ft temporary dock will soon be installed on the south face
Screamin’ schooners — spread, ‘Regulus’ made a splash in the third annual Great San Francisco Schooner Race; inset right, ‘Californian’ skipper George Sutherland has his hands full as the guest helmsman abaord ‘Eros’; inset below, Billy Martinelli’s ‘Gas Light’ and Jeff Hawkins’ race-winning ‘Jakatan’ grind through a breeze-on Saturday on the Cityfront.
When “nothing breaks and nobody gets hurt” during a race on the Bay, most local sailors figure they’ve had a pretty successful day of competition. But the third annual Great San Francisco Schooner Race, August 28, had to be measured by a completely different yardstick. With sustained winds in the low-to-mid 30s, gusting to 40, there were plenty of torn sails, all sorts of vintage gear failures, and probably more bruises than anyone could count. But as one excited finisher put it, “Hey, at least no one had to be hospitalized.” By all accounts, it was one heck of a wild ride that won’t soon be forgotten — and more fun than a dozen light-air daysails put together. During the post-race party at the San Francisco YC, the adrenaline was still pumping within many crew members as they swapped tales about near broaches, mid-race heroics, and sheets of white water that washed down the leeward gunwales, soaking jib trimmers to the skin. Great stuff! continued on outside column of next sightings page
Page 80 •
Latitude 38
• October, 2010
JOHN SKORIAK
a rompin’, stompin’ schooner race
