Eight Bells: Doug Baker

Southern California yachtsman Doug Baker, a successful competitive sailor who regularly participated in the iconic Transpac race, has died. He was 85. Baker, who had cancer, died November 22 in his Naples home, surrounded by his family.

Baker — who owned Banker Tanks Rentals, a family business started by his father — was most well-known for his sailing career.

He owned multiple boats during his life — beginning with a Hobie 15, which was followed by multiple others, including, most recently, the 2005-built Kernan 68, dubbed Peligroso — and was a regular participant on the Transpacific Yacht Race. Baker, in fact, competed in 21 Transpac races as a skipper and twice as a crew member. – Full report