SIGHTINGS a look at the old before a rush of new In early May, foiling cats will make a triumphant return to San Francisco Bay, as regatta number 2 of the SailGP circuit makes its first US stop. As we write, the boats have already hit the water in preparation for the May 4-5 event. In 2013, we saw the birth of a foiling revolution that continues to ripple through the sailing world. We also saw one of the greatest America's Cups of all time. Also mixing it up on the Bay, this time on May 25, will be the Master Mariners Regatta, which is almost as old — and packed with as much history — as the America's Cup. The fleet represents some of the Bay Area's most classic, meticulously tended to, and, by anyone's measure, beautiful boats. For all the changes happening to the sport and lifestyle of sailing, some of them a little daunting, we're happy with this current snapshot. We take satisfaction in the . . . we guess we'll call it symbiosis taking place on the water. Sailors of all stripes are doing their thing. But in this issue, we take a look at the old — not as if the old is sitting "under glass to be admired like an antique." Wooden boats
JOHN "WOODY" SKORIAK
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Latitude 38
• May, 2019
may 8 sign-up alert If you'll be cruising south this fall, and intend to do the Baja Ha-Ha, the Grand Poobah highly recommends that you mark noon on May 8 on your calendar. For that's the moment entries will first be accepted for the event, and berth space in Cabo San Lucas is based on how early a boat signs up. How important is it? Last year nearly 64 boats signed up in the first 24 hours. The Baja Ha-Ha is, of course, the annual 750-mile cruisers' rally from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas with R&R stops at Turtle Bay and Bahia Santa Maria. The event is open to boats 27 feet or longer that were designed, built, and maintained for open ocean sailing, and will be crewed by more than one person, at least
