Americas Cup Starts One Month from Today

Racing begins May 26th in Bermuda!  This year's boats are much smaller in an effort to bring the cost down.  In 2013, the boats were 72'.  This year they will be 48' and capable of speeds of 50 knots.  Because the winds are more variable than SF, the races will be more tactical. 

AC 35 has attracted five challengers: Land Rover BAR (GBR) with Sir Ben Ainslie on the helm, Artemis Racing (SWE) with skipper Nathan Outteridge, Groupama Team France with Franck Cammas, Softbank Team Japan with Dean Barker and Emirates Team New Zealand with Glenn Ashby. Jimmy Spithill, 2013's winning helmsman, will again skipper Team Oracle USA.

Bonehead Moves on the Water... Kitesurf Edition

These are some extreme examples of the dangers of kitesurfing.  Do you feel it is a dangerous sport?  Please comment.

Pics of the Week

XXL Biggest Wave of the Year Nominees

The winners will be announced this weekend in LA.  Hope to have a recap soon.

Departing for Charter in the Caribbean

We are departing this week for the Leeward Islands of the West Indies.  St. Martin, St. Barths, Saba and Anguilla.  Our 60' cat, Exodus, is awaiting our arrival.  My wife hates sailing, however, when you throw in a modern day cat, a captain and gourmet chef, she will follow me to the end of our watery planet.  Include our best friends and she will happily jump on board!  We have wifi on board our lovely yacht and I hope to be putting out some dispatches from the field.  Tales of large rum drinks invading the fly bridge and maybe a tale of a friendly pirate or two.  It's going be a blast and I cannot wait to jump aboard.  Join us for a trip of a lifetime to some of the most tranquil islands in the world.  Check out Exodus here.

We might not have this much fun but we are going to try!

Pics of the Week

Paddle Only

Growing up in Delaware, our waves were not very big.  Once in a while a storm would come thru and we would get a little action.  I would surf all day in those days and got pretty good.  We took a trip to Hawaii when I was 17.  We were on Ohau and headed to the North Shore for the day.  We arrived at Sunset Beach and could see the waves way out there.  Looked like a good day.  We waxed up and headed out.  The waves were at least a half mile away.  After paddling for a long time we arrived at the break.  Oh my!  These waves were monsters and I was way out of my league.  I watched a couple go by and the locals surfing them skillfully.  I decided they were way too big for me and paddle back in with my tail between my legs.  We ended up at Haleiwa and had a much better situation to surf my first of many Hawaiian waves.

H2uh0 Celebrates 12 Years this Month!

On April 2, 2005, two sailboat accidents on the bay prompted me to start this humble blog.  The first of the two, happened at the Golden Gate, when a Santana 22 got too close to the south tower and a wave picked them up and took them into the surf zone.  Boat sank and they were rescued by the surfers.  The other accident happen during a race to and from the Farallons (a small uninhabited island 28 miles off the coast of SF).   A racer had popped the chute for the run home when he got overpowered and the kite put the boat on its side and he lost control of the boat.  The spinnaker pulled him onto the beach and the boat was lost.

My motivation in starting this blog was to alert sailors of accidents and hopefully we can learn from them.  The blog has become much more than that and it has become a joy to share my experiences on our Newport 30 as we explore the bay and beyond.

The next phase of this blog is to chronicle my journey into buying a new to me boat in the fall and our adventure to Australia in September 2018.  I having been dreaming about this trip since the early 80's when I first started sailing on rent a boats with a friend on the bay.  It has been an amazing process and one that I am very proud of.  Some of the highlights include: owning our boat for almost 17 years, six Baja Haha's, chartering boats in the BVI, Belize, Mexico and the Grenadines, 5-7 day trips on the bay and Delta, sharing the wonders of sailing with 100's of friends and family on our bay and having the America's Cup sailed in my own backyard with the flying 72's going 40 knots plus across the bay.

I hope you will join us we sail down the west coast to Ecuador and beyond into the South Pacific.  We depart in 16 months, and 22 days, 3 hours, 25 minutes and 23 seconds!!!!!

Pale Blue Dot

Happy Easter!  Going out on the bay on Saturday to enjoy some old and new friends.  Also heading to see Toots and the Maytals on Friday.  I love this song.  An oldie from John Denver.

If I Won the Lottery

When I drive home from the boat, there is a big lottery sign that shows the current amount you could win.  Usually it's about $150m or so.  I like to think abut what I would do If I won the jackpot (we all do, right?).  Well, if I won, I would buy one of these boats and sail away.  What is your lottery wish?

"Best Regatta in the World"

Les Voiles de St. Barth

Big week in St Barts with the race of the year taking place.  1000 sailors will compete at one of the most beautiful islands in the West Indies.  We will miss the race by two weeks as we depart for our charter adventure on the 29th.  Can't wait to see this beautiful place.


Les Voiles de St Barth 2016 by drone from St Barth Fly Cam on Vimeo.

Pics of the Week

Winds are picking up on the SF Bay!  This week we were out for some 30-35 knot winds and flying.   A storm hit Thursday with winds up to 64.  We did not sail in that.  Some of the boats at the boat show got heavily damaged due to temporary docks not being able to stand that much pressure.

Wipe Out of the Year Nominees

Off to the boat show today.  I have been many times to kick tires and jump aboard some beautiful yachts.  Today is a little different as I am on a mission.  I am on the cusp of buying the boat that will take us to Australia.  I will be looking for brokers and getting their info as my quest for the perfect boat begins in September.  Wish me luck.

Good Advice!

Dear Abby:

I have always wanted to have my family history traced, but I can’t afford to spend a lot of money to do it. Any suggestions?

Sam in Cali

Dear Sam: Yes. Run for public office.

 Dear Abby,

I am very worried about my husband of 3 years.  We will call him Max.  The last three times I have entered the bathroom, I have caught Max masturbating.  The first time was one thing, but three times in the last 2 weeks?  I am very concerned about his actions and need your advice right away.

Perplexed in Pennsylvania

Dear Perplexed,  I have one word of advice: KNOCK

 

40th Anniversary Issue

Our friends at Latitude 38 began writing way back in 1977.  Richard Spindler had a dream and started his publication on a boat in Sausalito.  The mag has been a wild success.  He now has three boats (Europe canal boat, a 64' cat that is the mother ship for the Baja Haha, and a 42' cat in St. Barts).  He and his writing crew have done well.  He recently sold the rag to an associate, but still writes his columns.  Download this month's issue here.

Download the PDF version for easy reading.