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 2006 Already Running Downwind Well, 2006 is sure off to an exciting start. At first we didn't know when the Seattle Boat Show was going to start, now we don't know when it will end. Because of those high-flying Seahawks, the dates have been moved up to January 6-14. However, depending on the NFL, the Seahawks could be playing a game either the 14th or 15th. We'll know for sure January 8th, two days after the show has opened. Either way, there's plenty of time to see your favorite stuff. See the Lowtides section for special speakers and seminar times. However, even though the Seahawks may be walking on water, they don't affect the Lake Union Boats Afloat Show which will still go through to the 15th. Looks like this is one time we can have our cake and eat it too. Speaking of boat shows, we'll be up at the Vancouver Boat Show running the Harken grinder, so come by and take a crack at it. It's both easier and harder than it looks. Either way it's fun. In this issue we continue our 18th consecutive year of announcing the TOP 25 Sailboats of the previous year (2005 in case you've forgotten what that party was for). We are very pleased this year as HARKEN has provided very nice trophies for those making our Top 25 list. Now there's a little hardware to go with that pat on the back from the magazine. As the racers have now flipped to page 46 for the Top 25 to see how they did, let's talk about something very special for the cruisers. We know that everytime you drop the anchor there's the potential for a memorable story - it should just come as a warning label on the anchor. What we want you to do is share those Best (Worst?) Anchoring Stories with us, so we're having a contest. Nobody's perfect but we want to hear how far from perfect people actually get when they go to the bow of the boat, or maybe the imperfection lies more in the direction of the cockpit. Usually it's a combination of both. Plus, there's always the tides, where the draft of the boat exceeds the depth of the water, and those mysterious and wonderous discoveries you make when you pull up the anchor - "What's that thing?" usually make for a pretty good story. Now for the good part. LEWMAR is providing a spectacular prize for our winner: a LEWMAR Pro Series 1000 Windlass, rode and chain, and a Delta 22 pound anchor. And, because after reading the stories we want the windlass to be installed right, the prize also includes a basic installation of the windlass on the winner's boat by YACHT MASTERS at their facility! And there's more. Go to page 31 for the details. This will be a lot of fun - and carthartic. Another thing coming up for 2006 are our Nautical Nights at Abraxus. A great guy named Tony has a used bookstore below us, Abraxus Books. He loves sailing, sailing books, and sailing authors. Since we get so many book releases from publishers and authors, we're going to have an evening once or twice a month where people can get together with authors of nautical books. This isn't a book signing, it's more of an informal get together where you can meet the authors. Think of it as sitting at anchor and visiting with friend in their really big cabin. We'll announce a schedule next month. So, there's lots going on for 48° North readers to get you over the rainy season. The year's off to a great start - looking forward to seeing you at the Seattle Boat show. |
