now my husband Commodore is in his element, running around dealing with the enormity of it all." We're a little amused that our friend Commodore is going to do a long ocean delivery aboard a catamaran. After all, he once did a Baja Bash with Profligate for us, after which he wrote a singlespaced, multi-page letter explaining why we needed to sell our beloved cat, a boat we have no intention of ever parting with. Indeed, Commodore is playing with fire doing such a delivery, as once women experience cruising on a cat, they rarely want to go back to what they'd been used to. As usual, José Miguel Díaz Escrich, our buddy and Commodore of the Hemingway International YC in Cuba, sent pleasant Fourth of July wishes to members of the American Boating Community: "On behalf of the Hemingway International YC of Cuba and myself, I would like to send the most sincere congratulations to all the members of the American boating community on this Independence Day. This is a great opportunity to wish everlasting peace, love, prosperity and well-being to all the

NANCY TOMPKINS

CHANGES

Having sailed across the Atlantic six times before he was six years old, Commodore's blue eyes have pretty much seen it all.

people of the United States, and express our joy and pride in the friendly and collaborative relations with the American boating community." Thank you, Jose. We have nothing but

good wishes for you and all the wonderful people of Cuba. "Having left San Francisco in April, we're now in French Polynesia bound for New Zealand with this year's group of Puddle Jumpers," report Steve and Valerie Saul of the San Francisco-based Waterline 45 Kaien. "We'd like to pass along good reports on two businesses here. The first is Dominique Goche's Raiatea Carenage, a Latitude advertiser. Our windlass went on strike off nearby Huahine, and after winching 160 feet of 3/8" chain and a 66-lb CQR in by hand, we thought it would be best if we got it repaired. And since we needed some other work done, we hauled at Raiatea Carenage. After testing the windlass several times, it was determined that the 15-year old motor was shot. Nonetheless, Dominique took time from his hectic schedule to personally disassemble and re-insulate the motor, which has been running fine ever since. While doing the work in his shop, he managed to take calls on his cell phone so he could still run the boatyard while rebuilding our motor! It would have been easier for him if he'd

Official Sponsor

2006 BAJA BA JA HA-HA La Paz means ‘peace’, and the sentiment seems to float on the ocean breezes of this authentic and charming Mexican village. Located at the Gateway to the Sea of Cortez, and what Jacques Cousteau called the ‘Aquarium of the Pacific’, you can explore the wonders of the World Heritage Site of Sierra de San Francisco, and the island of Islas Espíritu Santos. At CostaBaja Resort & Marina, you can take pleasure in all that La Paz has to offer from the safety of our state-of-the-art-marina. The surrounding resort marina community features the Fiesta Inn Hotel, boutique shops, galleries and fine gourmet restaurants. Escape the hustle and bustle of busy resort towns and discover the beauty and serenity that is La Paz. Page 202 •

Latitude 38

• August, 2006

FOR RESERVATIONS CALL FROM THE U.S. CALL: 011.52.612.121.6225 FROM THE U.S. FAX: 011.52.612.121.5764 EMAIL: CostaBajainfo@BellPortGroup.com www.BellPortGroup.com