Episode #161: 30th Annual Baja Ha-Ha and Melges 24 World Championship (Latitude 38 Verbatim)

In this episode of Good Jibes, listen in as we bring you three great stories from the October issue of Latitude 38. Max Branstetter, who is also our audio wizard, shares “Baja Ha-Ha XXX — Who’s Going? pt. II,” by Richard Spindler aka the Grand Poobah; “Melges 24 World Championship — Brisk Battle,” by John Arndt; and “First Extended Family Adventure,” by Dave Lane.

Here’s a small sample of what you will hear in this episode:

• The 30th Annual Baja Ha-Ha
• The incredible margins of the Melges 24 World Championship
• Why it’s worth coming to the US west coast to contest the championship
• Lesson learned when sailing outside of your comfort zone
• Ways to support the local communities you sail through 
• Favorite family quotes for sailing

Follow along and read the articles at https://www.latitude38.com/issues/october-2024/#58, https://www.latitude38.com/issues/october-2024/#62, and https://www.latitude38.com/issues/october-2024/#85

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and your other favorite podcast spots – follow and leave a 5-star review if you’re feeling the Good Jibes!

Check out the episode and show notes below for much more detail.

Show Notes

• 30th Annual Baja Ha-Ha and Melges 24 World Championship
  • [0:21] Welcome to Good Jibes with Latitude 38
  • [0:25] Who’s this strange voice? Connect with Max at MaxPodcasting.com
  • “Baja Ha-Ha 30 – Who’s Going? Pt. II” by Richard Spindler aka the Grand Poobah – https://www.latitude38.com/issues/october-2024/#58
  • [2:16] The 30th annual Baja Ha-Ha is taking place kicking off November 4th, 2024!
  • [2:44] 120 boats migrate south with the humpback whales
  • [3:42] Folie à deux
  • [4:26] Fred’s claim to fame
  • [4:50] Kit Crew
  • [5:16] Plans after the Baja Ha-Ha
  • [6:02] Patriot Crew
  • [6:47] Sapphire Seas
  • [7:34] Lagoon has built 5,800 catamarans
  • [7:59] Satori
  • [8:34] Skye 
  • [9:57] A unique COVID-19 experience
  • [11:18] Stargazer
  • [12:48] Family’s favorite quote from Captain Ron
  • [13:10] Swift
  • [14:16] Sailing from Alameda to Oxnard with a throw-up bag in my hands
  • [15:20] Wippy
  • [17:35] If you’d like to be a sponsor of future podcasts, you can email [email protected] to learn more
  • “Melges 24 World Championship – Brisk Battle” by John Arndt – https://www.latitude38.com/issues/october-2024/#62
  • [18:35] Melges 24 World Championship held at the San Francisco Yacht Club (SFYC)
  • [19:01] Don Wilson and Convexity team won the title
  • [19:19] Second place was 2009 US Sailing Rolex Yachtsman of the Year Bora Gulari
  • [20:32] The stakes were high in the final race
  • [21:25] The narrowest margins in history of the Championship
  • [23:48] Organizers focused on the fleet top to bottom
  • [24:43] The Bay and San Francisco Yacht Club showed once again why it’s worth it for classes to travel to the US West Coast to contest the world championship
  • [25:13] Join the Latitude 38 Crew list at Latitude38.com
  • “First Extended Family Adventure” by Dave Lane – https://www.latitude38.com/issues/october-2024/#85
  • [26:25] The first time the family did extended cruising
  • [27:20] Just one of many family adventures that pushed beyond my comfort zone
  • [27:48] The plan 
  • [28:18] The grim conclusion
  • [29:17] The first night
  • [30:18] Giving back to the communities we visited
  • [32:11] The Tachometer read 0
  • [34:35] The wind picked up on the 3rd night
  • [35:31] Requesting another course change
  • [36:01] Another lesson learned, another disaster averted
  • [37:20] Subscribe to Latitude 38 at Latitude38.com
  • [37:26] Make sure to follow Good Jibes with Latitude 38 on your favorite podcast spot and leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts
  • [37:40] Connect with Max Branstetter and follow @MaxBranstetter 
  • Theme Song: “Pineapple Dream” by SOLXIS