VOLUME 409 July 2011 WE GO WHERE THE WIND BLOWS
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Latitude 38
VOLUME 409 July 2011 W E G O W H E R E T H E W I N D B LOWS
JULY 2011
VOLUME 409
AMERICA'S CUP 34 SAN FRANCISCO BAY • AMERICA'S CUP 34 SAN FRANCISCO BAY • AMERICA'S CUP 34 SAN FRANCISCO BAY • AMERICA'S CUP 34 SAN FRANCISCO BAY •
AMERICA'S CUP 34
O racle Racing and ACRM knocked it
out of the park last month with their visit
AC45s and a typical June day on the Bay — Blam!
Ed Lee on what was probably their first
The Challengers
On June 15 ACEA announced the
to the Bay. Perhaps sensing the need to sailing experience, with the AC 45s buzz- team slate for the 34th America's Cup,
keep local interest in AC 34 stoked, they ing by at 20-plus knots. and anyone hoping
brought a pair of AC 45s in early June, Of course the pitchpole didn't happen for a surprise was
and left having given the event's profile a until after the media hit the dock that day, probably disap-
serious boost. but many saw it as they left the Golden pointed. Only one
Of course Russell Coutts' "pitchpole Gate YC parking lot, and the result was of the "undisclosed"
teams — Spain's
GILLES MARTIN-RAGET
heard 'round the world" (see this month's that it garnered a bunch of attention that
Sightings on p. 72), which even drew cover- the day might not otherwise have. Green Comm
age from the gamut of mainstream media, The rest of the week was devoted to me- Challenge, not an-
was obviously the crossover highlight of dia trips aboard the AC 45s for a few lucky nounced until June
the trip. But it was hardly representative journalists, as well as a VIP day rumored 23 — was able to
of what the team and ACRM accomplished to bring out people like Governor Jerry cross the thresh-
here. Brown, Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom, and old into becoming
Starting with a design briefing on June confirmed to have drawn Grateful Dead an America's Cup
13 attended by just about every media drummer Mickey Hart. Media weren't challenger, so the Mickey Hart
outlet but Univision and Telemundo — exactly invited to those — unfortunately lineup is pretty much unchanged from
who knows, they might have been there — but it was another fruitful step in the what's already been announced.
too, but it was so packed it was impossible "blocking and tackling" of the PR cam- Challenger of Record Artemis Racing
to tell — the event rolled right into a day paign that ACRM, the ACEA and Oracle was joined on the Ferry Building's mez-
trip on the Bay aboard the replica America,
America are waging. But those weren't the only zanine by China Team, Aleph Equipe de
for everyone from the journalists to mayor battles on that front during the week France, Emirates Team New Zealand, Vene-
AMERICA'S CUP 34 SAN FRANCISCO BAY • AMERICA'S CUP 34 SAN FRANCISCO BAY • AMERICA'S CUP 34 SAN FRANCISCO BAY • AMERICA'S CUP 34 SAN FRANCISCO BAY •
• AMERICA'S CUP 34 SAN FRANCISCO BAY • AMERICA'S CUP 34 SAN FRANCISCO BAY • AMERICA'S CUP 34 SAN FRANCISCO BAY • AMERICA'S CUP 34 SAN FRANCISCO BAY
— SAN
SA FRANCISCO BAY
zia Challenge, En- we'd been having
ergy Team and left us wondering
Team Korea — whether there'd be
a total of eight any breeze, by the
teams (including time we were drove
Green Comm). over the Golden Gate
Although Bridge on the way to
ACRM was un- the team's base at
doubtedly looking Pier 80, the Slot was
for more challeng- already starting to
The new America's Cup and Louis Vuitton Cup lo-
ers, the provincialists out there who've gos are decidedly less exciting than the AC 45s.
breathe.
been hoping that the 34th Cup would fall We got to the base in time to see Oracle
flat must be disappointed. The participa- 6-14 and Plymouth, England, September 4 and Oracle 5 wheeled out of the shed,
tion of both China and Korea should prove 10-18. have their wings raised and the whole
to be a huge boost to the Cup's commer- package launched, ready to go, in what
SPREAD LATITUDE/ROB
cial viability. Our Ride on an AC 45 couldn't have been more than 20 minutes
There were some other key announce- After a week of non-stop media and per boat. Rows of shipping containers,
ments at the press conference, notably VIP outreach, Oracle Racing turned its Jet Skis and chase boats lined the dark,
that the 136 containers required to trans- attention to race practice for the first AC massive shed that houses the team's lo-
port the America's Cup World Series road World Series in August. Latitude 38 Asso- cal operations, not to mention the wing
show around the globe will make their ciate Publisher John Arndt and this editor from USA 17. If working for a Cup team
way to San Diego November 12-20 after were invited to experience the AC45s on is all glitz and glamour, you wouldn't
stopping in Cascais, Portugal, August June 21, and although the mini heatwave know it by seeing this temporary base.
• AMERICA'S CUP 34 SAN FRANCISCO BAY • AMERICA'S CUP 34 SAN FRANCISCO BAY • AMERICA'S CUP 34 SAN FRANCISCO BAY • AMERICA'S CUP 34 SAN FRANCISCO BAY
AMERICA'S CUP 34 SAN FRANCISCO BAY • AMERICA'S CUP 34 SAN FRANCISCO BAY • AMERICA'S CUP 34 SAN FRANCISCO BAY • AMERICA'S CUP 34 SAN FRANCISCO BAY •
AMERICA'S CUP 34
The team's clothing
and equipment con- crew on Oracle 5, along
tainer served as our with Volvo Ocean Race
changing room, and and AC veterans Matt
we managed to get Mason and Simeon
out of there having Tienpont.
resisted the tempta- Leaving the dock in the
GILLES MARTIN-RAGET
tion to nick an Oracle small turning basin
Racing belt or switch next to the shed, the
out all the gear in the boat instantly leapt
box marked "L. Elli- forward, attaining a low
son" for extra-smalls hum as Bundock bore
of everything. away down the channel
Because the team toward the Bay. After
was on a tight sched- having to take a tow
ule to get their practice going, we knew Representatives from the challengers joined San up to Pier 17 where we finally found the
Francisco Mayor Ed Lee on stage on June 15 for
from the outset that our time on board breeze, the crew got to work, settling in for
the announcement of the challenger slate.
would be limited. ACRM would be out a long beat. The guest spot on an AC45
there testing all the regatta systems, and wouldn't be joining the boat until later. is behind the aft crossbeam where there
you just can't keep helicopters waiting in- So Aussie Darren Bundock — a double are a couple "oh shit" handles between the
definitely. So, instead of jumping on from a Olympic silver medallist in the Tornado running backstay blocks. We nervously
chase boat, we were able to leave the dock and three time F-18 world champion — inquired about the loads on the runners
on board — Arndt with the 'Facebookers' took over as helmsman. A couple former ,as this editor is generally averse to put-
aboard James Spithill's Oracle 4, and this Alinghi/Team New Zealand sailors — and ting his head, or any part of his body, near
editor aboard Russell Coutts' Oracle 5 with four-time Cup winners — Murray Jones a highly loaded running backstay block.
the 'Flintstoners'. As we were preparing and Simon Daubney, rounded out the Jones told us that there's a load pin on one
to shove off, word came down that Rus- end of the cable that runs from the prod
sell was stuck in a conference call and to the dolphin striker and underneath the
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Page 90 • Latitude 38 • July, 2011
• AMERICA'S CUP 34 SAN FRANCISCO BAY • AMERICA'S CUP 34 SAN FRANCISCO BAY • AMERICA'S CUP 34 SAN FRANCISCO BAY • AMERICA'S CUP 34 SAN FRANCISCO BAY
— SAN FRANCISCO BAY
tramp back to the aft crossbeam. They're sion is that the
winding 11.5 tons on that cable via the America's Cup
runner, although the loads on the runner 34 is going to be
are much lighter. one gnarly ride.
As we matched up side-by-side, we
could almost hear Bundock thinking, Parting Shot
"Why did I get the 105-kilo guy and Spithill If there was
get the 75-kilo guy?" as this editor's contri- anything about
GILLES MARTIN-RAGET
bution to (at that point, undesirable) tran- the AC 45s' visit
som immersion allowed Oracle 4 to shear that really reso-
off us as we trucked upwind in the low nated with us
to mid-teens in 10 to 15 knots of breeze. — apart from the
The boats are extremely weight-sensitive. sheer awesome-
After about four or five tacks, both boats ness of watching
popped out the Gate, and our short ride them pulverize
was over as the chase boat picked us up the Bay, it was
before the 45s bore away. the realization that all the whinging and The schooner 'America' provided a stable viewing
When you get aboard an Oracle Racing moaning about how the move to multihulls platform for the legion of journalists who went out
chase boat, you're likely to see a few faces gives Oracle Racing an unfair advantage for a day on the Bay and a look at the AC 45s.
you might recognize. In this case it was is bull. After seeing this all go down, we will be so close to the edge that this Cup
design team member, coach and multiple wondered, "What are the AC 72s going to will probably come down to who can keep
Cup winner Mike Drummond who was look like?" With a wing nearly twice as tall, their boat upright the longest. The only
taking video of the maneuvers while Volvo and speeds probably some 15 knots faster advantage Oracle has dealt themselves
Ocean Race navigator Ian Moore worked — the 45s were doing high-20s — the 72s is making the other teams survive a Bay
away on a laptop. After a quick blast into summer before the September '13 match
the Golden Gate YC, our short day on the date.
water was over, but our lasting impres- — latitude/rg
July, 2011 • Latitude 38 • Page 91
MASTER MARINERS
DAVE KEANE
I f you've never seen the spectacle that is the Master Mariners
Benevolent Association's Annual Regatta, you're missing out. Al-
though this year's event on May 28 didn't get the perfectly glorious
conditions of last year's, the sun held the occasional moisture-
laden cloud at bay until after the racing was over. And let's face
it, no weather cåould diminish the stunning sight of 66 classic
(and almost exclusively) wooden boats plying the Bay at various
angles, rails down, with bones in their teeth.
With over 65 classic boats in 12 divisions canvassing the water
on different courses in the 20-knot westerly, the Central Bay looked
like it had been put through a time machine.
The Sausalito YC ran the race as is customary, and the
MMBA's lick-your-finger-and-raise-it-in-the-air rating system
was there for some semblance of equality. But let's face it, no
one is doing inclination tests.
This editor was lucky enough to join the crew of Dan Spra-
dling's 1950 S&S 52 Bounty for the race. In his pre-race briefing,
Spradling advised his crew that for many of the skippers, this
would be the only day all year they would spend racing — the
other 364 are spent varnishing — and to not expect other boats
to really know the rules. While the racing rules are necessary to a
certain degree, the only important rule is that if you're a steward
to one of these anachronisms, that it's be your passion.
In its modern era, which began in 1965, the event has drawn
some of the West Coast's most gorgeous wooden boats, but per-
haps most importantly the boats you see here aren't museum
pieces, they're actively sailed boats. Some are liveaboards, some
are daysailed. Some introduce hundreds of kids to the joys of
sailing every year. They're all living, breathing legends, many of
whom call the Bay home, and we're better off for their presence
and for the community of sailors who preserve and sail them
— latitude/rg
Spread — 'Dauntless' rolls over 'Nautigal'; insets, from left — 'Corsair' flying
everything she has; rolling aboard 'Bounty', a little color in the fisherman.
ALL PHOTOS LATITUDE/ANDY EXCEPT WHERE NOTED
— CLASSIC
MASTER MARINERS
Clockwise from top-left — 'Goldilocks' gets
trapped under 'Papoose'; 'Nautigal' with a
spinnaker up; 'Polaris'; this is about as small
as they come; 'Bounty' rolls across the slot;
the crew of 'Dauntless' crosses the finish line;
'Pursuit' was the biggest belle at the ball; 'Alma'
trucking along; 'Bolero' reaching across the slot;
'Taihoa' took Gaff 2 this year, swapping places
with 'Sequestor'; 'Tiger' and 'Eventide' had a
horrendous collision before the start; 'Yankee'
tries to roll over the top of Chorus'.
DAVE KEANE
Page 94 • Latitude 38 • July, 2011
— CLASSIC July, 2011 • Latitude 38 • Page 95
MASTER MARINERS
MASTER MARINERS (5/27)
BIRD — 1) Robin, Patrick & Cissy Kirrane; 2) Polly, Bill Stucky;
3) Widegon, David Cobb. (4 boats)
BIG SCHOONERS — 1) Gaslight, Billy Martinelli; 2) Alma,
National Park Service; 3) Freda B, Marina O'Neill and Paul Dines.
(4 boats)
GAFF 1 — 1) Brigadoon, Terry and Patti Klaus; 2) Bluenose,
Dennis Peitso; 3) Yankee, Yankee LLC. (3 boats)
GAFF 2 — 1) Taihoa, Jody Boyle; 2) Sequestor, Hans List; 3)
Briar Rose, John T. Ough. (7 boats)
GAFF 3 — 1) Andrew Mulligan, Stephen Canright; 2) Star-
dust, Mary Moseley; 3) Mercy, Shawn Jonutz. (3 boats)
MARCONI 1 — 1) Bright Star, Ted & Laddie Hall; 2) Pegasus,
Peter Hayes; 3) Bolero, Tim Murison. (10 boats)
MaARCONI 2 — 1) Unda, Dean Gurke and Dee Dee Lozier;
2) Ingwe, Jay Gardner; 3) Nautigal, Jeff and Karen Stokes. (8
boats)
LAPWORTH 36 — 1) Papoose, Allen Edwards; 2) Leda II,
David James. (2 boats)
MARCONI 3 — 1) Corsair, SF Whaleboat Association; 2) Vi-
king-Red, SF Whaleboat Association; 3) Adagio, David Howell.
DAN BAKER
(10 boats)
MARCONI 4 — 1) EOS, K. Dunlop/ S. Mavromihalis; 2) Flirt,
Peter Strietman; 3) Morning Star, Barbara Ohler. (5 boats)
BEARS — 1) Chance, Anselm Wettersen; 2) Kodiak, Peter
Miller; 3) Goldilocks, Mathieu Kepler. (9 boats)
OCEAN — 1) Chorus, Brad Asztalos; 2) VIP, Don Taylor; 3)
Echo, Jack Coulter. (4 boats)
Complete results at: www.mastermariners.org The raft-up at Encinal YC was really well attended, but the rain came uninvited.
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O nce upon a time there was a
young man who dreamed of sailing the
seven seas to a world of adventure, but night sleeping,' and off we'd go." gree in geology and environmental stud-
on the eve of his departure he met a Once the boat was settled, the paren- ies from Whitman College in Walla Walla,
fair maiden who stole his heart away. tal units flew back home while the boys WA, Brian was at a crossroads. He knew
Forced apart by fate — and an excellent stuck around. "I only stayed a week or sailing was in his future but he wasn't
weather window so," says Brian, "but my brother, Chris, quite sure where it fit. Then he caught
— the sailor feared stayed until his tourist visa expired — six wind of a unique academic opportunity
he might never see months. Our parents were commuter called the Watson Fellowship. The way
his lady love again, cruising at that point." Brian tells it, this particular fellowship
but they were soon Auspice spent two seasons in Mexico, gives new grads $20,000 to pretty much
reunited and lived with Jim and Kim popping down for a do whatever they want as long as they
happily ever after. few weeks at a time when they could, stay out of the U.S. for an entire year.
Or at least for the before taking off for good in May '09. "Some people learn salsa dancing and
next six months, "Within one month, my dad sold his some go river rafting, though there's an
anyway. dental practice, we cleaned and rented academic element as well," he notes.
T h e s t o r y o f the house he's owned since the '70s, and Inspired by a friend's experience with
Brian Coggan, 26, I drove him down to San Carlos in the the fellowship, Brian applied, outlining
Brian and Alana had a fairy and Alana Car - family's '82 Volvo," recalls Brian. Kim a year's worth of foreign cruising — oh
tale start to their relationship. rara, 24, begins met Jim in Loreto, and then the freshly yeah, and learning about the local geol-
much like your everyday fairy tale — love retired couple made tracks for Cabo, fol- ogy, blah, blah, blah. He was turned
discovered, love lost, love renewed — but, lowed by the Marquesas. (Check out this down but the application committee left
really, it's the details that make a story month's Changes for an update from the him with some encouraging words. "They
interesting. Coggans, currently in Fiji.) console you for not getting it by saying,
'We hope you know these are achievable
B rian grew up sailing on San Fran-
cisco Bay with his parents and older
H aving graduated in '07 with a de-
dreams,'" he says. Though he was disap-
pointed, the seed was planted.
brother. "They put me in San Francisco
YC's junior program when I was seven,"
he recalls. "I was out there getting scared
in El Toros." But as soon as he hit his
teens, Brian lost interest in sailing —
until his folks bought a Schumacher 40
named Auspice, that is.
Auspice was built on the East Coast,
then moved to Wisconsin to sail the
Great Lakes. Brian's parents — Jim and
Kim Coggan — bought the boat when
Brian was in high school, and took the
boys with them for some Great Lake
cruising before trucking Auspice back
to the Bay.
Though the boat was meant to eventu-
ally become the family cruising platform, Isla Santa Catalina was home to giant cacti,
as well as less photogenic residents.
Jim raced her heavily over the next five
years or so. "My dad's an avid racer," says
Brian, "and I think the ocean racing pro-
gram he had going sort of distracted him
from their cruising plans." Brian raced
with his dad aboard Auspice through his
later high school years and all through
college, primarily on offshore races, in-
cluding a Pacific Cup.
But the cruising plans finally won out
and, in the fall of '07, the family of four
sped down the coast and up to Loreto
in the unfathomable timeframe of just
two weeks. "After leaving the Bay, our
first stop was Isla Guadalupe five days
later," says Brian. "We hardly ever spent
the night anywhere after that — we'd an-
chor somewhere, clean up, go for a walk
ashore, and then just around sunset,
Dad would say 'No sense wasting the
Page 98 • Latitude 38 • July, 2011THE LOST BOY
ALL PHOTOS COURTESY LOST BOY going to buy the Newport, which would
tie her down with slip fees.
For the next year, he worked — every- in Connecticut, graduated from Cal last " T h a n k
thing from guiding kayak trips to substi- year as a member of the school's sail- goodness the
tute teaching — and saved to buy a boat. ing team. "I'd sailed with friends on the guy sold the
He looked at many, considered a handful, Bay before, but it wasn't until my senior boat out from
but finally bought a Wylie 28 in January year that I joined the team — it was like under me that
'08. "It was pretty much exactly what I throwing the baby in the water and hop- day," recalls
wanted and already had a lot of the stuff ing she'd swim," she laughed. But Alana's Alana. Shortly
I'd want to go cruising," Brian says. skills improved and she spent her second afterward, she
But that didn't mean the boat was semester on the women's varsity team. discovered she
cruise-ready; plenty of work and up- After graduating with a degree in lin- could postpone
grades were needed. It was another year guistics, Alana decided that she wanted taking one of
and a half — last fall — before the newly to go to med school for pediatric immu- her required
christened Lost Boy was ready to sail nology — "I want to work with AIDS kids classes and an
under the Gate. in Africa" — but she needed to take a idea developed.
But by then, Brian was having second number of science courses at the College "She was very
thoughts . . . . of Marin so she could take her MCATs. strategic about
She figured living on a boat would telling me,"
A lana, who grew up on powerboats
reduce her expenses, so her Cal sailing
coach, Paul Heineken, who just hap-
pened to be an old
notes Brian as
Alana chimes
in, "I didn't
friend of the Cog- want to scare
gan family, con- him of f!" But
nected her with the two young
Brian. "He was so lovers were anx-
sly about it," she ious to see each
says, "but he was other again,
setting us up — and plans were There were many light-air days
and it worked!" made for Alana on the Sea of Cortez.
After their ini- to meet Brian in Loreto in January.
tial email contact,
which both con-
firm was purely
platonic, it was
T he next sixth months were a
whirlwind of adventure, exploring and
another several sailing . . . lots and lots of sailing. "We
months before sailed almost all the time in the Sea,"
the pair finally says Brian. "I think we used a total of
met — the day about 20 gallons of fuel the entire trip,
before Brian's including the Bash home."
initial departure Though much of their time in the Sea
date. "That was was admittedly spent "drifting around,"
In addition to exploring aboard 'Lost Boy', my goal, but it'd already been pushed Lost Boy did get at least one spanking
Brian and Alana swam with baby sea lions, waaaay back," he insists. when a northerly storm blew through
were overtaken by a 1,000-strong pod of dol- Alana had asked Brian to look at a Puerto Escondido. "We'd just gotten back
phin, and led kayaking trips to earn money.
Newport 30 she was thinking of buying, from a week and a half in the islands and
then the duo went out for a sail on Lost we thought we'd go camping ashore for
Boy. Light winds, porpoises splashing, a awhile, just to get off the boat," Alana
gorgeous sunset and a random fireworks reports. "We bought some food and were
show off Tiburon made for a decidedly ro- going to set off the next day, but that
mantic evening, one that neither wanted night it started blowing 50 knots and we
to end. Over the course of the next few were stuck for three days." Even on the
weeks, Brian played the 'weather card' Bash home, the couple say they never
on his southbound crewmember, delay- saw over 30 knots.
ing their cast-off date again and again. At the beginning of their trip, the en-
"He told me he wasn't sure he wanted ergetic duo had an ambitious itinerary:
to go now," says Alana, "but he'd planned "We were going to go to the northernmost
to do this trip for two years, and I didn't point of the Sea, then to Mazatlan, then
want him to give up his dream for me. It'd go back to Baja," says Brian. "We made
be easier for me to join him." But Alana it to about 30 miles north of Loreto when
had to take a class and was buying a boat I asked, 'What do you think of turning
— the chances of her joining him on the around?'"
trip were nil. With a heavy heart, Brian Scrapping their original plans for a
and his crew Jenny sailed under the Gate more mañana-esque approach to their
on November 23, the same day Alana was cruise, Brian and Alana spent time ex-
July, 2011 • Latitude 38 • Page 99&
THE MAIDEN &THE LOST BOY
ploring spots off the beaten Mexico.
track, such as Isla Santa Around midnight on
Catalina, just off Agua June 4, Lost Boy sailed
Verde, known for its giant under the Golden Gate
cacti. The pair were eager and took a slip at San
to explore, but reports Francisco YC for a few
of rattleless rattlesnakes nights before her weary
made Brian nervous. They crew made their way to
met some folks who were their new home at Rich-
camping on sharp rocks ardson Bay Marina in
instead of at a more com- Sausalito — just a couple
fortable area nearby, be- weeks before Alana's sum-
cause they'd encountered mer classes were sched-
some aggressive snakes uled to start.
there. Wisdom finally won
out and the pair cut their
hike short.
In fact, hiking was a major part of Brian and Alana will live aboard while she goes
N o matter how ro-
mantic the beginning of a liaison can be,
their routine, but as Brian points out, to school and he figures out what he wants to we all know life isn't a fairy tale. Cruising
"when you're moving from anchorage to do when he grows up. Regardless, local cruis- in tight quarters can test even the most
ing in the Delta is high on their priority list.
anchorage, your routine gets all messed stalwart of couples, and the perils to a
up." Alana confirms they're both in the well, a bash, and that they did everything new relationship can be even greater.
worst shape of their young lives because wrong — rounding capes during the day, But as the saying goes, what doesn't kill
of the sedentary nature of cruising. sailing most of the way instead of motor- you only makes you stronger, and it's
Then, almost as soon as it had begun, sailing, and so on. But they were able clear this young couple's relationship
their cruise was coming to a close. On to visit friends all along the California has muscle thanks to the storms they
April 14, Lost Boy left Cabo bound for coast and do the surfing they'd wanted weathered together.
the Bay. The couple says the Bash was, to do — but hadn't had the time for — in — latitude/ladonna
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July, 2011 • Latitude 38 • Page 101THE ZEN SAILING
ALL PHOTOS LATITUDE / RICHARD
I t hasn't exactly been an 'out of the
mud grows the lotus' experience, but it's 38 minutes and the next day scored a PB
been within spitting distance. of 37 minutes. If we weren't Zen Sailing,
As you'll recall, our first sail with the we'd shoot for covering the entire course
La Gamelle syndicate's Olson 30 was to in 80 minutes.
the yard in Alameda, Since speed isn't our goal, we fly
during which time just the main and #4 even when sailing
we nearly killed our- downwind, and we don't even bother to
selves in a nautical wing the jib out on a pole. Besides, when
box canyon. And our you're sailing an Olson downwind at only
first official sail, after about four knots, the water coming off
the haulout, was in a the transom makes the sweetest whis-
Memorial Day Week- per. To us, it's the nautical equivalent
end rainstorm. For of a Buddhist chime, gong, or tingsha,
some reason our foul celebrating the genius of George Olson.
weather jacket wasn't
waterproof anymore,
and we were wearing
sponge-like Levi's. We
H aving only sailed in the Estu-
ary sporadically in the last bunch of
nearly died of hypo- years, we'd forgotten how pleasant the
The Oakland Estu- thermia on our way conditions are. Most of our La Gamelle
ary's Zen Sailing to La Gamelle's end- sailing has been in five to 15 knots of
Zone. tie at Marina Village. wind, wind that's a lot warmer than
But none of this mattered, for we kept what blows through the Gate or down
remembering that 'the master takes ac- off the fog-covered hills of Sausalito. And
tion by letting things take their course'. except for the wakes of passing power-
The nice thing about adventures boats and ferries, it's flatwater sailing
starting poorly is that it's almost impos- that is so conducive to mediatting on
sible for things not to get better. And the streaming of the jib telltales. At least
that's exactly what's been happening. In until Jonathan Livingstone sails by on
the 20 days after La Gamelle's launch, his Wylie 38 Punk Dolphin and shatters
we did seven Zen Estuary meditations our reverie by holling, "You need more
— meaning sails from off the Encinal YC outhaul!"
to the mouth of the Estuary and back — There is considerable traffic on the
and three shorter sails. Not only have Estuary on weekends. But with an ultra
the last several been trouble-free, but nimble and responsive little boat such as
the downwind legs have been in warm an Olson 30, avoiding contact with other electrical tape to keep the bottom half
sunshine — something that's not always sailboats, tugs, barges, container ships, of the bolt in place, keeping the rudder
easy to find around the Bay. rundown wharves and restaurants be- in the boat, allowing us to resume our
We've yet to catch a good ebb, so it's comes a meditation within a meditation. meditation.
usually taken us about 25 tacks — we "Be the boat," Zen Master Chevy Chase We've enjoyed La Gamelle so much
keep a record of all our tracks on our once said, and we've come to understand that sometimes we've even braved the
iPhone using the Navionics app — and what he meant.
one hour to sail the four miles to the Naturally, we've had
mouth of the Estuary. That's using a our share of minor mis-
full main and a #4. One time we tried a haps, too. One after -
#3 with a full main, but with just two of noon, there was a loud
us aboard, the 3,600-pound boat was psssssst sound, and
De Mallorca suddenly overpowered in as for about 15 seconds
felt bloated, but not little as 13 knots we couldn't figure out
from anything she ate. of wind. Buddha where it was coming
would be content from. But then it looked
to sail with a #4, as though Dona de Mal-
so we are, too, lorca was bloating into
Depending on Danny de Vito's daugh-
the strength and ter right before our eyes!
consistency of the It was actually her automatic life vest traffic from from Marin to Alameda just
wind, it's usually accidentally going off under her jacket, to fool around on her. Our favorite pas-
taken us about almost strangling her. time has been simplifying her. Having
an hour to make A few moments later, we heard the gotten rid of the masthead light and wind
it back down the always-anxiety-inducing sound of a sensors, the depthsounder and knotme-
Estuary to the stainless fitting bouncing off a fiberglass ter, the GPS and the VHF, the spare lines
Encinal YC finish deck. It turned out to be only the top and spare fenders, the cupholders and
line — although of the bolt that keeps the rudder from
once we did it in falling out of the boat. We used a bit ofCHRONICLES
returned. "You have an honorary mem-
bership, so you only have to pay for food
and drinks."
"You mean to tell
us," we replied in a
combination of shock
and skepticism, "that
we can meditate on
our boat up and down
the Estuary, tie her up
at our Marina Village
end-tie, walk over here
to the club, charge a
drink at the beautifully
redesigned and rebuilt
bar, then go jump in the
Jessie, giving us
beautiful new pool?" the good news.
"That's right," she
said with a big smile.
"Cool!"
See what we mean about going from
the mud to the lotus?
A s we sipped our cocktail, we
watched the Oakland YC Wednesday
beer can fleet sail by. It was still plenty
light out — and so was the wind — so
we saw many boats and people we recog-
nized. Kame Richards of Pineapple Sails
had so many people aboard his Express
37 Golden Moon that it reminded us of
the mobs Bill Lee used to host on Merlin
for Wet Wednesdays in Santa Cruz.
And then, were our eyes deceiving us,
or was that bearded fellow at the helm
Spread: An Islander 36 leads the afternoon wing-on-wing parade down the Estuary. Insets upper of the Cal 29 about to round the mark
left: 'La Gamelle's broken rudder post bolt; Sailing in the shadow of imports from China; A Corsair really Jim Jessie? We know it was exactly
tri heads to weather. Inset lower left; The K-38 'Chorus' heads home after the Master Mariners. 30 years ago that Jim and and his wife
the cushions, we were running short on the docks, we've bumped into countless Diana hooked up, because we — includ-
things to remove. Then we spotted the old friends and made scores of new ones. ing our then six-month-old daughter —
cabin and 'nav station' lights. "Less is And imagine the coincidence of the boat all went sailing off to Honolulu aboard
more," says Buddhist Governor Jerry berthed in front of La Gamelle being a big the great Farr 52 Zamazaan. Jim and
Brown, so we got rid of them, too. catamaran — the new Prout 50 owned Diana hadn't even started to go around
We didn't sense much spiritual en- by David and Elena Esser. Having known the world on their Lapworth 48 Nalu IV
ergy coming from the Honda 5 hp on them for all of three days, we got the yet. So many great sailors, so many great
the transom either, so we took it back to invite to their wedding reception aboard sails, so many great sailing memories —
the office. When we need a break from Tigress, so of course we attended. all coming to life again.
banging on the computer but don't have There was an even bigger coincidence It's a cluster up at the leeward mark of the
enough time to go to the boat, we mount when we took an Aussie friend, who had Oakland YC's Wednesday night race. Zephyrs
the engine in a plastic dumpster full of come all the way to Alameda from Queen- and a flood complicate the rounding.
water. We then start her up, put her in sland to buy a cruising boat,
gear, and watch the water swirl around. to the Encincal YC to have a
Yep, it's a whole different kind of medi- drink. When we walked into
tation — although the smoke and noise the club, we were surprised
are distractions. to be informed that we were
not only members, but had
I t's harder to meditate when there
are a lot of people around, but it's been
been for eight years! Unable
to recall ever signing any
checks for monthly dues,
difficult for us to avoid people in the we asked Jessie, the lovely
Estuary. Between the passing boats, woman who runs the office,
chandlerlies, marinas, yacht clubs and if she could check to confirm
our status. "I've got good
news," she said when sheTHE ZEN SAILING CHRONICLES
I t's with considerable
sadness that we realize that
it's just as Buddha promised,
change has been good. La
we only have about 10 more Gamelle's exterior and inte-
days on the Estuary Zen rior aren't perfect, but they
Zone sailing circuit before are as spiffed up as some
it's time to move on the Buddhist temples we've seen
Richmond Riviera Zen Zone in Asia. Her bottom is clean.
Circuit. We haven't even left The blue highlight motif on
the Estuary yet, and we're the house and boot stripe
already missing it. But we have been changed to a
think we're going to come sunny yellow, and if we ever
back soon. For the warm run back down Sailing, swimming and sun, the newly spruced find the time, we're going to liven up
the Estuary. For the sailing to Quinn's up Encinal YC has it all. the teak bits with Caribbean baby blue
and other dockside restaurants. And yes, on the inside. And when we climbed paint.
for the pool at the Encinal YC — where, aboard, she seemed — and indeed was As for sailing La Gamelle, we're happy
did you know, we're members! — exceedingly tippy to a person used to to report that we can get underway
Our sadness is tempered with the a 63-ft cat. As for folding the main, we within three minutes of arriving. Step
knowledge that Buddha — or was it couldn't even remember how we used aboard, raise the main, undo the dock-
Confucious? — said that change is as to do it by ourselves without lazy jacks. lines — and we're meditating, baby!
inevitable as the sun rising each day. When we tacked, we had to remember All joking aside, the La Gamelle expe-
And that since we can't fear the rising to duck so we didn't get decapitated by rience has been tremendously rewarding
of the sun, we should embrace change. the boom. And those first big gusts that on many levels, so much so that even
We have embraced change with La knocked us over 20 degrees, well, after Dona de Skeptic has gotten religion
Gamelle, although we were tentative at the stability of a cat, heeling like that about Zen Sailing. It's up to you, of
times, and didn't get much initial support was the definition of change. course, but you might consider convert-
from Dona de Mallorca. We remember the Flash forward just a month or so, and ing, too. Or if you've lapsed, reviving your
first couple of times we saw La Gamelle. devotion to sailing.
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July, 2011 • Latitude 38 • Page 105SHARIN' THE LOVE —
P assion for the sport of sailing
manifests itself in many forms, and each
month we report on a bunch of them: on the lives of West Coast sailors — espe- then teaches them boat handling and
the latest conquests of the West Coast's cially new inductees to our sport — with sailing. I donated my grandfather's El
hottest racers, the far-flung wanderings little or no expectation of acknowledg- Toro to him last year, and he invited
of world cruisers, the exotic getaways of ment. We call this collection of nautical me to an annual event where they put
bareboat charterers, and the childlike notables Latitude 38's Roster of Unsung that year's boat project in the water and
Heroes. sailed it on a local lake with the kids.
The remarkable sailors that you'll "Not only did they rebuild a bristol
meet in these pages were all nominated woodie El Toro, but the normally rough-
for recognition by readers. (And there edged kids were softened by the experi-
were more worthy nominees than we ence. I doubt that they laugh and smile
have room to introduce here, so we'll like that on a regular basis. Not only
publish a second installment in the fu- does Dan restore old neglected boats, he
ture.) restores young neglected kids."
Alice Watts — "My candidate for Paul Mixon — "My unsung sailing
unsung hero status would certainly be hero is former East Bay resident Captain
Alice Watts," says Captain Rick Whit- Paul Mixon," says Joan Jackson. "For the
ing. "She's the ubiquitous first mate of past 14 years, he's organized a flotilla
the 82-ft scow schooner Alma, operated of African American non-sailors in the
by the San Francisco Maritime National British Virgin Islands. For me, and many,
Historic Park at the Hyde St. Pier. many others, sailing in the BVI has been
"Alice has served as mate on Alma a life-enhancing experience.
for more than 15 years. She sails five or "The Black Boaters Summit has
six days a week during the season, and been about teamwork, camaraderie and
DAVID YEARSLEY
runs the deck in a most professional way. trying to bring the love of sailing to a
Her dedication to teaching kids about group not well represented in the sailing
sailing, the history and ecology
of the Bay and the history of
scow schooners is remarkable.
While rowing 'Alma's skipper Jason Ruker Her ability to train the young
ashore, Alice Watts' infectious smile gives a crew members in running the
hint about her ever-cheerful nature.
vessel and teaching the kids is
euphoria of daysailing on San Francisco astounding and most profes-
Bay with no particular itinerary. sional."
Regardless of how these and other Dave Yearsley seconds the
successful sailors define fun on the wa- motion: "She has engaged thou-
ter, though, we'd bet that most of them sands of children and adults,
got started in a similar way. That is, back including the disabled, cultural
before they knew a keel bolt from a cotter minorities, and at-risk youth in
pin, some patient soul took the time to the arts of sailing and marlin-
introduce them to the joy and exhilara- spike seamanship. Alice contin-
tion of sailing, while mentoring them in ues to delight all who board the
the time-honored skills of seamanship. Alma with her smiling presence
So for a change of pace this month, we're and competence, while ably as-
shining our spotlight on a group of big- sisting Captain Jason Rucker in
hearted sailors who've been quietly and running the scow." (See www.
selflessly making life-changing impacts nps.gov/safr)
Paul Mixon (right) has introduced more African-
Americans to sailing than anyone we know. And Eric Arens — "This one is
solo circumnavigator Bill Pinkney approves! easy," says Jimmie Zinn. "I nominate community. Typically
Richmond Yacht Club’s Eric Arens. This around 95% of the BBS
guy has been organizing and running sailors have never set
major racing events for many years. foot aboard a sailboat
The amount of time and effort he has so before.
generously devoted to high quality racing "During the past 14
on San Francisco Bay may be equaled years, lifelong friend-
BLACK BOATER'S SUMMIT
by some, but nobody has done it better." ships have been formed
(www.richmondyc.org) and many marriages
owe their beginnings to
Dan McGuire — Ted Biggs told us the BBS, including that
about the generous spirit of Watsonville's of the ole captain him-
Dan McGuire. "He restores El Toros with self, who recently mar-
at-risk, low-income youth in Watsonville, ried a lady he met dur-LATITUDE'S UNSUNG HEROES
TED BIGGS
ing BBS 2009!" he's an unsung
Paul's flotillas are so well-liked that hero." (www.pysf.
there's about a 60% repeat rate. Even us)
so, he has introduced roughly 1,000
non-sailors to the sport through these Ariane Paul —
catamaran cruises. Paul is now ready to "Ariane Paul vol-
retire, however. So this August's flotilla unteers countless
may be the last, unless someone comes hours to Master
forward to pick up the torch." (http:// Mariners and to
bbs2011.blogspot.com) Summer Sailstice,"
says Marianne Ar-
mand. "She puts
"It is so amazing to see together the boat
the pure joy on the faces building contest
and organizes the bands — all for the The work Dan McGuire does transforming ne-
of our students when love of the event, and getting people glected El Toros into usable sailing craft can
help transform young lives.
they're sailing." interested in sailing. Not only that but
she works like a dog for Master Mariners. event in our home waters of the Oakland
I think she more than qualifies as an Estuary, and most recently he tied up
unsung hero." with The Treasure Island Sailing Center
Eric Anderson — "Eric Anderson has to train instructors to teach and sail with
led the Peninsula Youth Sailing Founda- Al Spector & Danette Davis — Javier visually impaired sailors.
tion and its programs for many years," Jerez introduced us to the amazing blind "Coupled with his motivation and
explains Dave Olson, "including five or sailing program run by Al Spector and energy is a fun-loving personality that
six years past the time his own son left Danette Davis. "Al put together a blind makes everyone feel welcome and ap-
the program to go to college. His efforts sailing program as an offshoot of his preciated. He is truly an unsung hero,"
have enabled many young folks to grow Marin Sailing School venture, and even- says Javier.
up as sailors. To me and many others tually led a blind crew to participate in We consider Al's partner in the pro-
Left and below: Al Spector (far left) and Danette both national and international regattas gram, Danette Davis of Oakland's Lion's
Davis (far right) share their vision and their representing the U.S. and California. He Center for the Blind, to be an equally re-
passion with blind sailors of all ages. later put on an international blind sailing markable hero. During races she serves
as 'sighted crew', offering info on ship
MARIN SAILING SCHOOL / LION'S CENTER FOR THE BLIND
traffic and the proximity of competitors,
while Al serves as captain and tactician.
"The sailing program has been phenomi-
nal," says Danette, "and it wouldn't have
happened without Al's generosity.
"It is so amazing to see the pure joy
on the faces of our students when they're
sailing. You can see their confidence and
self esteem increase almost immediately.
Sailing is so perfect for the blind and
visually impaired; there's so much infor-
mation that comes to them through their
other senses: They feel the wind on their
faces and feel the boat heeling over, they
hear the sails begin to flap when they
are out of trim, and they feel the hull
accelerate when everything is dialed in
just right."
This program, which is mostly geared
to adults, has so far had participants
from 18 to 84. "And we now have a
94-year-old lady who wants to give sail-
ing a try," says Danette. (www.marinsail-
ingschool.com/blind-sailing.html)
Mike Gross — According to John
Super and others, Mike Gross of the
Monterey Peninsula and Santa Cruz
YCs is an exceptional regional race of-
ficer. He's a U.S. Sailing judge and an
umpire in training. "He will come to your
July, 2011 • Latitude 38 • Page 107SHARIN' THE LOVE —
Richard Gillette — "I'd like to nominate so much!
Captain Richard Gillette," says Erik "They often drive long
Jones. "He skippers the 51-ft Alden ketch distances and take time
Pegasus for the Berkeley-based Pegasus off work so these children
Project, a nonprofit dedicated to educat- can have a life-altering
ing youth and underprivileged members opportunity. The crew
of the Bay Area about our environment, share their love of sailing
the Bay and sailing. He got me excited and the Bay with these
children and ignite a
whole new perspective
"There is something magical for them. They also share
about Richard. He is like an their spirits and hearts
with each child. These
old soul with a connection to volunteers really are the
the sea and the earth." heroes that make the
PEGASUS PROJECT
Pegasus Project (which
has taken more than
about Pegasus and I've since recruited 8,000 children sailing)
others to become volunteer crew. so powerful and able to
"Captain Rich seems to spend every touch so many lives!"
waking hour of every day recruiting
Richard Gillette of 'Pegasus' has been a men- volunteers, keeping the Pegasus run- Nancy Novak — A re-
tor to hundreds of kids, teaching them about ning and finding new ways to reach out lated nomination is that
respect and teamwork as well as sailing.
to children, military veterans including of clinical psychologist
club and sit on a protest hearing about those who are disabled, cancer survivors, Nancy Novak. Cathy Sti-
as quickly as my dog can make a steak and many more. The man is tireless in erhoff explains, "She's
disappear," says John. his passion to help and educate others the creator of Nancy's
"Almost every weekend Mike can be about our sport, and bring them into List, a grassroots organi-
found doing jury or ump duty somewhere an environment that
on the Bay. He also is happy to conduct many would never
a rules seminar or a 'how to do it' session have had a chance to
for race committee people." see, had it not been for
his efforts and those
Blue Water Foundation founder Lee Stimmel of the foundation he
often volunteers for man overboard drills — or helps to run.
"lawyer dunkings," as he calls them. "It is an honor to
sail with him aboard
Pegasus and I can
tell you first hand,
that he has touched
the lives of so many.
They all walk away
at least with smiles,
and some disembark
with a newly kindled
interest in sailing. He
is truly an inspiration
and definitely a local hero." zation committed to improving the lives
Shana Bagley adds, "There is some- of people who are living with cancer and
thing magical about Richard. He is like those who love and care for them. As a
an old soul with a connection to the cancer survivor herself, Nancy knows
sea and the earth. The world is always what it feels like to be isolated, fright-
brighter after spending time with him." ened, and powerless. She transformed
(www.pegasusvoyages.org) her experience and created an organiza-
tion whose mission statement is: 'No one
Pegasus volunteers — In his typical will ever go through cancer alone.'"
BLUE WATER FOUNDATION
selfless manner, Richard Gillette wrote An important component of her work
in to nominate his volunteer crew: "The is Nancy's Club for children and teens
crew are all volunteers who give so whose lives have been touched by cancer,
much of their time, energy, knowledge either through their own diagnosis or
and spirit to make it possible for us to that of someone they love. She regularly
take the disadvantaged youth of the San takes club members on adventurous
Francisco Bay Area out sailing. They give outings, including sailing trips on theLATITUDE'S UNSUNG HEROES
Blue Water Founda-
tion is all about get-
ting kids out on the
water to experience
the fun of sailing
and to expand their
world view. This
nomination comes
ELLEN GALVIN
to us from cruiser
Marc Gounard, who
volunteered to help
out when he learned
that the Blue Wa- 'Uncle Anthony' Sandberg of OCSC has long
ter's goal is to get been a leader in bringing new blood into the
sport of sailing.
every public school
youngster out on don't know anyone else who has spent
the water before a lifetime teaching other people about
they graduate from the joys and camaraderie of sailing. I've
high school. certainly been the beneficiary of his ex-
The brainchild of pertise and his passion for the sport, and
founder Lee Stim- as soon as my three-year-old daughter
mel, Blue Water's is old enough, she's going to spend a
three boats can of- week with 'Uncle Anthony' and his crew
ten be seen out on to learn how to sail. I'm not just talking
the Bay with smil- about the skills to maneuver a boat, but
ing kids learning also how to sail safely and with confi-
the ropes. The Pe- dence, which includes showing respect
terson 46 Alita is for Mother Nature and for the rest of
based in Emeryville; the sailing community. Oh, yeah, and
the Frers 46 Golden Anthony also taught me how to tie those
Bear operates out of pesky knots!"
the S.F. Cityfront,
as does Stimmel's Kit Stycket — "My friend Kit has been
own Hans Christian helping kids learn to sail and grow up
43, which is used on ever since her own teen years," says Pe-
special programs. ter Detwiler. "While she’s probably most
LAURANNE LEE
"Members of the proud of her eight consecutive Sears Cup
San Francisco Po- teams from the Richmond YC ('99-'06),
lice Department I know how much she’s helped scores
often come out on of kids find their way through the Sea
these field trips," Scouts — two totally different methods
Left: Despite her big boat prowess, Kit Stychet explains longtime volunteer Lauranne of putting kids into boats, but she makes
stills likes to goof around in El Toros. Above: Lee. "That allows kids to see officers as both approaches work. That’s why she’s
High schoolers test their new skills off the City- regular people, as their friends. I think my hero.
front with the Blue Water Foundation.
they all get a lot out of it because neither Clinical psychologist Nancy Novak has bright-
Bay, thanks to Diane Andrews of the group is in their element — sailing is a ened the lives of many young cancer victims
Sausalito-based Pearson 26 Release, and great 'leveler' because everyone has to through the joys of sailing.
Richard Gillette of Pegasus. work together.
Cathy writes, "Nancy, Diane and Rich "Getting out on the Bay is
have created an environment for these a real education for some of
kids so that they can forget, for an af- the disadvantaged kids who
ternoon, the trauma that they are living — believe it or not — don't
with; to escape and have fun!" know the difference between
CATHY STIERHOFF / NANCY'S LIST
The kids' comments are the program's the Bay Bridge and the Golden
best testimonials: "When I was sailing Gate. Some say they have
with my mom and my brother, I forgot I never seen either one, even
even had cancer," said Gal, age 9. "This though they live within the
is the happiest day of my life," said city limits!"
three-year-old Harry. Both are leukemia
survivors. (www.nancyslist.org) Anthony Sandberg — Ellen
Galvin wrote in to nominate
Blue Water Foundation — Like the Pe- Anthony Sandberg of Berke-
gasus Project, the San Francisco-based ley's OCSC Sailing School. "IYou can also read
