Spinnaker Shop

LOOSE LIPS

a division of

Precision Technical Sewing, Inc. Making fabric work on land and sea since 1979

Don't wait until Spring to discover the damage to the sails that you stuffed in the forepeak after the last race of the season. Bring them to us for check-up and repair estimates. Matt lets you know the viability of fixing or re-cutting. Susan, Sylvia and Sally advise details, based on a zillion (combined) years of off-shore sailing, sailmaking and canvas solutions.

And don't forget your boat Winterproof with custom canvas covers for sails, deck hardware, cockpit and the entire boat. Protect from rain, wind, and sooty city fallout. Come SPRING, you'll be several steps ahead.

GRAPHICS, TOO! Capture a favorite image on your own Victory flag to make your sailing more fun!

921 E CHARLESTON RD, PALO ALTO, CA 94303

650-858-1544 or 888-411-4787 For specific sewn solutions for YOUR sailing, please see our website at

www.spinnakershop.com Page 98 •

Latitude 38

• February, 2006

(FOSC). That is one big mouthful of responsibility. Of course, Sectors will be further supported by vertical alignment of Headquarters, Areas and Districts. There are a total of 35 Sectors encompassing the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Guam. Sector San Francisco — which oversees all of Northern California as well as Nevada and Utah — is one of three Sectors in District 11. The other two are Sectors Long Beach and San Diego. BJ on the go. "I need the support of Latitude 38 readers to make it to the Mini Transat, 2007," writes Brian 'BJ' Caldwell, the Hawaiibased sailor who readers may recall became the youngest solo circumnavigator in 1996 (and who wrote regular Sightings updates during the voyage). "I have the fastest boat now, the 2005 Transat winning E.Leclerc, as well as a sponsor for the boat and several technology product sponsors. But I need to find the budget for racing this year in the qualifying Select 650 and Mini Fastnet Races. "For the first time I'm offering my book Clockwork, which documents my 1996 'youngest around the world' on Mai Miti Vavau, in online text for $10 to finance next year's mini campaign. If only 1,000 Latitude readers purchase it, I will be able to do the season." FYI, BJ, who is now 29, has been involved in Minis for several years now and took fifth in the 2005 Mini Transat — the highest finish of any American. To purchase the online book, or for more on BJ's mini project, log onto www.liquidflight.net. We'll be running more about BJ and his Mini campaign in a future issue. Great cause, great idea. One of the sadder statistics out there is that drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional death in children in the U.S. In one of the most ambitious responses to that problem we've ever heard of, 5,000 lifejackets will be given away to kids 12 and under who attend the Evergreen Sportsmen's show in Monroe, Washington, next month. And these aren't those cheapo orange things. These are quality lifejackets ($50 retail value) made by Mustang Survival, one of the leading manufacturers of quality survival gear. And if they run out of the proper sizes, families will get 'rain checks' for new jackets to be sent later. Several agencies and organizations helped orchestrate the giveaway, including the local Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center, and the Washington State Parks Department. But the big nod goes to the show's producer, O'Loughlin Trade, which actually bought the jackets from Mustang. They've even arranged to have popular Survivor: Pearl Islands star Rupert Boneham on hand to greet showgoers at the show's "Lifejackets for Kids Education Center" on opening day (February 22). "You can't put a dollar figure on a child's life, and we believe this offers a great combination of safety and value for the entire family," said show manager Bill O'Loughlin. "Boating and fishing are two of our region's most popular family pastimes, and enjoying them safely is our paramount goal." While the kids get fitted for jackets, parents will be encouraged to participate in a brief boating safety presentation conducted by representatives from Children's Hospital and State Parks. Reps from Mustang Survival will also be on hand to answer questions and offer adult-size products for sale. The show takes place at the Monroe County Fairgrounds, February 22-26. Note that this is not a sailboat show. But it sure would be great if sailboat shows closer to home followed the precedent. Hint, hint.