October 2009 eBook all pages (free PDF, 36.6 - Latitude 38

BAJA HA-HA PROFILES, PT II
Companera — Farr 44
Paul Eichen & Susan Flieder
Sausalito
Noteworthy: Paul and Susan convinced
their Aussie friends, Annie and
Bob, into join them on this cruise to the
Cape.
Distant Drum — Beneteau 51
Harry Hazzard, San Diego
Noteworthy: This boat has done three
previous Ha-Has. Not long after the '07
event, she survived a direct hit by lightning
in San Blas.
Crescendo — Challenger 50 ketch
Bob & Alice Phillips, Olympia, WA
Noteworthy: Having cruised to Alaska
and back three times, Bob and Alice are
ready for a change of climate.
Puma — 52-ft power cat
Del Urban, Homer, AK
Noteworthy: Like most Alaskans,
Del is obviously a do-it-yourselfer. He
designed and built this power cat using
composite (wood/epoxy) construction.
Page 120 • Latitude 38 • October, 2009
Willful Simplicity — Catalina 27
Steve & Charlotte Baker, Sausalito
"When we decided that there were more
reasons why we must do the Ha-Ha than
reasons why we couldn't, we were finally
moved into action," explains Steve.
"Lookout Mexico, here we come."
That's impressive since Charlotte began
sailing just a year ago. Steve, however, has
been pulling strings and grinding winches
for nearly two decades, so he undoubtedly
set her on the 'fast track' to cruising.
Their 27-footer seems aptly named: "The
most interesting thing about this boat is it's
simplicity," says Steve. "It has taught us to
live simply and love it."
Ludwig — Catalina 42
David Lott, Long Beach
Noteworthy: Dave says that doing
the Ha-Ha has been on his 'bucket list'.
But the most interesting thing about his
entry is that, to join him on this cruise,
he recruited a friend whom he's known
since he was seven years old.
Symphony — Hans Christian 38T
Thomas Spencer & Magi Sarvimaki
Channel Islands
Noteworthy: Doing the Ha-Ha is actually
Plan B for Thomas and Magi, as
they'd originally intended to sail straight
to Hawaii, but after making a boatload
of new sailing friends, we'll bet they'll be
glad that serendipity intervened.
We'll take a breather here, before
our fingers fall off from too much pecking
on the keyboard. But, believe it or not,
you still haven't been introduced to the
entire Ha-Ha XVI fleet. Look for a final
installment in the November issue, then
a complete recap report in December.
— latitude/andy