July eBook pages 1-91 (16.1 MB) - Latitude 38

510.864.7208
In the Alameda Marina | svendsens.com
Page 68 • Latitude 38 • July, 2010
DARIN BAUER
LETTERS
eye to minor infractions.
If you're going to want or need to do more extensive work
on your boat, we suggest that you truck her to San Diego, then
sail her to Mexico and take up residence in one of the secondtier
marinas that allow owners to live and do work on their
boats.
⇑⇓WISHING I WAS THERE
From the shores of Central America to the walls of New
Folsom Prison, where I am now, I've always looked forward
to reading what is going on in the sailing community — and
Latitude never lets me
down. I do want to
make an observation
about the term "cruisers'
remorse," though.
In light of the pisspoor
decision that got
me here, I'd have to
say that I suffer more
from the affl iction of
"returner's remorse."
No doubt I deserve
my punishment, and
Darin's halfway to being free as the wind. less doubtedly I look
forward to open waters once and forever more. Seven years
down and six to go — I'll be seeing you in Pura Vida!
Darin Bauer
Stupid Gringo
New Folsom Prison
Darin — You're more than halfway there and seem to have
the right attitude. We wish you the best of luck.
⇑⇓THINKING RATIONALLY WHILE PANICKING
My condolences to the family and friends of Dave Gish,
who drowned in Ventura West Marina. My husband and I
kept our sailboat at Ventura West Marina for over 20 years,
so I speak from direct knowledge. All anyone who goes into
the water in a small harbor like Ventura needs to do is swim/
paddle to the shore and climb out on the rocks. No ladders
are necessary, just common sense.
Linda Dacon
Bettina, 41-ft Laurent Giles sloop
Pt. Townsend, Washington
Linda — That's a good point, and certainly something for
everyone who keeps a boat in a marina with a gradually sloped
embankment to keep in mind. On the other hand, we used to
keep our Freya 39 at Ventura West, and if a fully clothed person
fell in into the chilly waters near the end of the dock, it could
be a pretty diffi cult swim to the embankment. At a time like
that, common sense is often replaced with panic. We think the
important thing is that everybody have a get-out-of-the-water
plan in advance.
In a typical month, we receive a tremendous volume of
letters. So if yours hasn't appeared, don't give up hope.
We welcome all letters that are of interest to sailors. Please
include your name, your boat's name, hailing port, and, if
possible, a way to contact you for clarifi cations.
By far the best way to send letters is to email them to
richard@latitude38.com. You can also mail them to 15 Locust,
Mill Valley, CA, 94941, or fax them to (415) 383-5816.