TODAY'S COLUMNS Under Way - Heads Up on Hurricane Season in Both Oceans Thursday, July 26, 2007 By Capt. Patricia Miller Rains It's heads-up time. The first of August begins the peak of hurricane season along the Pacific coast of Mexico. The standard end of hurricane season is Oct. 31, but prudent mariners know that it's not over until it's over. This year, NOAA forecasts a higher-than-average hurricane season on the Atlantic, but a lower-than-average Eastern Pacific hurricane season. This is great news for West Coast boaters in Mexican waters. However, hurricane season in the Eastern Pacific is related to hurricane season in the Atlantic in at least two ways - so, the savvy skipper will pay close attention to what's going on in both oceans. When I'm under way in the tropics in summer, I keep track of anything that moves. FULL STORY... Capt. Pat Rains photo Shelter from the Storm - Marina Vallarta in Puerto Vallarta's municipal harbor basin is a popular summer hurricane hole. The jungle-clad mountains help shield Banderas Bay from mainland hurricanes.

BETSY CROWFOOT

Maritime Museums 'Get Real' To Keep Public's Attention 8/22/2002 My arms ache, and the puddle of perspiration that has been collecting on my brow begins to snake down my nose. It tickles - but I don't dare let go of... FULL STORY... OTHER HEADLINES Point To Point Point to PoinT Steering Snags Yank M-PROJECT From Pac Cup California Kids To Represent U.S. in Youth Worlds Olson 30 Nationals Are Dominated by Local Talent MORE HEADLINES

Two-Man Cruise Stops Often along Baja's Pacific Coast 5/26/2005 By Capt. John E. Rains With sea trials completed in Southern California, it's time to head south and up into the Sea of Cortez on a 42-foot Grand Banks trawler. After a last-minute change of plans, there are just two of us on board. FULL STORY... OTHER HEADLINES This Time, a ‘Ma and Pa’ Cruise to Santa Catalina Island Coronado Islands Make a Weekend Mini Cruise for San Diego Boaters Hidden Port Yacht Club Wins Low Fees for Loreto Fest 2005 Hidden Port Yacht Club Wins Low Fees for Loreto Fest 2005 Three Sheltered Harbors Found on the Lost Coast of the Maya MORE HEADLINES

Mushroom Legend Lives on in America's Cup Hall of Fame 9/15/2005 By Rich Roberts The last time I sailed on a 12-meter was a boat calledStars & Stripes during the 1986-87 America's Cup at Fremantle, Western Australia. But the skipper was Jack Sutphen, not Dennis Conner. FULL STORY... OTHER HEADLINES Two Shoot for Stars American Sailors Need Not Apply Climbing Everest All the Way to Hawaii A Sailor’s Sailor: Big Mike Isler Enters a New AC World without DC MORE HEADLINES

STEVE STEVENS

Beer Can Series: A Great Way To Get Back To The Bay 4/21/2004 SAUSALITO AND TIBURON - "Knock, knock," went the sharp, deep tone on the hull of the nice little yacht I was knuckling on the hull to get the captain's or the owner's attention. "Ahoy," I said. "Anyone on board?" A head popped up from the companionway - FULL STORY... OTHER HEADLINES Back To The Bay — Back To The Best Safety Out On The Water — Heaving To Safety On San Francisco Bay — Heaving To Safety On The Bay: Reef It Early, Reef It Deep MORE HEADLINES