Tacoma, oh Tacoma, a city of joy, Where happiness reigns, and sorrows deploy. A place where the people are filled with glee, And the beauty of life is easy to see. Lydia K. Valentine, the poet laureate, Says Tacoma is her town, and it’s great. The readers of the Tribune agree, Tacoma is the happiest city, you see.
Alcatraz, a place of history and lore, A place where the past lives forevermore, A fortress by the sea, a prison for the worst, A place where the weak perish and the strong thirst. Alcatraz, a place of history and lore, A place where the past lives forevermore. Pelicans soaring high, a symbol of hope, A place where the future and the past elope.
In the heart of Belltown, where the city meets the sea, Groupe Beneteau’s vessels, as majestic as can be. On the water they glide, with grace and with pride, A sight to behold, on the incoming tide.
Peeing The absence of water discharge or “peeing” from your Nissan 50 four-stroke outboard is a warning sign that requires immediate attention. This tell-tale water stream serves as a visual indicator that your engine’s cooling system is functioning properly. When this stream is weak or absent, it signals potential cooling problems that could lead to…
This photo essay discusses Anthem, a 70-foot ketch built in 1998 by Roger MacGregor. Anthem combines luxury and performance with hand-laid fiberglass construction, a 70-foot mainmast, and speeds of up to 25 knots. It was named one of the seven most beautiful boats ever built alongside vessels like J-Class yachts. A sister ship to Anthem was built in the last decade, continuing its legacy as a masterpiece of yacht design. Photos of the sister ship are provided.
Als explored is the development of Ultra Light Displacement Boats (ULDBs) and their competition with MacGregor Yachts, highlighting key differences in design, construction, and performance. ULDBs, pioneered by designers like Bill Lee, George Olson, and Ron Moore in Santa Cruz, focused on lightweight construction (vacuum-bagged fiberglass with balsa cores) and exceptional downwind speed. Iconic ULDBs like Merlin and the Olson 30 dominated offshore racing with innovative designs.
Performance Handicap Racing Fleet (PHRF) race courses have transitioned from traditional Olympic triangular patterns to windward-leeward designs, emphasizing tactical skills, boat speed, and positioning. Random Leg courses, which offer varied angles and conditions, provide more balanced competition for different boat types.
Naval architecture has evolved to optimize boats for specific conditions, creating designs specialized for particular race formats, often favoring performance over versatility. Cruiser-racers and traditional cruising designs may struggle to compete on modern windward-leeward courses, prompting new classifications.
The year 1973 marked the zenith of Southern California’s boat building industry, with Costa Mesa standing as the unquestioned epicenter of fiberglass sailboat production. This maritime manufacturing powerhouse, with its tight concentration of innovative companies, specialized workforce, and entrepreneurial spirit, mirrored what would later become the defining characteristics of Silicon Valley’s technology ecosystem. Both represented…
The nature of the Murrelet centerboard is not well understood. MacGregor Yachts states in the cruiser’s brochure that A long, thin airfoil is far more efficient than a short, wide one. This is why racing sailboat keels are deep, and why sailplane wings are long and thin. The relationship between the fore and aft width of the board…
Costa Mesa’s boat building heritage continues to hold cultural significance even as the manufacturing base has largely disappeared. The description of Costa Mesa as remaining “a Mecca for boat owners” despite having lost most of its boat builders suggests that the industry created a lasting cultural impact beyond its economic presence.
This legacy lives on through the sailors who still enjoy vessels produced during that era, the yacht clubs that continue to promote sailing traditions, and the community’s recognition of Costa Mesa’s historical importance to recreational boating in Southern California.
Tour of the Salish Sea in May of 2023. This page outlines key boating destinations and yacht club facilities across the Salish Sea, emphasizing recreational opportunities and amenities for visitors. Here’s a structured summary:
San Juan Islands (Washington)
• Roche Harbor: A picturesque destination on San Juan Island with a Seattle Yacht Club outstation (Henry Island), offering moorage, waterfront restaurants, a fuel dock, and a 19-acre sculpture park. Hosted the 2023 Grand Banks rendezvous.
• Friday Harbor: A hub in the archipelago with hiking, kayaking, and whale watching.
British Columbia Destinations
• Ganges (Salt Spring Island): A top boating destination with marinas, the Salt Spring Island Saturday Market, and proximity to artisanal shops. The Seattle Yacht Club’s Ganges outstation provides moorage.
• Desolation Sound: Features Cortes Bay, home to both Royal Vancouver and Seattle Yacht Club outstations, public moorage, and access to wilderness trails. Nearby Refuge Cove offers provisioning.
• Ladysmith (Vancouver Island): Known for its 5-mile harbor, Ladysmith Yacht Club, and annual events like the Heritage Boat Festival. Ovens Island (owned by the Seattle Yacht Club) allows seasonal public dock use.
• Garden Bay (Pender Harbour): Hosts outstations from both the Royal Vancouver and Seattle Yacht Clubs. The historic Garden Bay Bar and Restaurant, destroyed by a 2020 fire, remains a point of local contention due to redevelopment plans.
• Sydney (Saanich Peninsula): Home to the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea aquarium and a full-service marina near attractions like the BC Aviation Museum.