Sailing San Diego Bay this week

[CaptDon01]

Sailing out of Mission Bay Tuesday morning and sailing around Pt Loma into San Diego Bay until 7-6-15. Depending on the conditions, might have to extend the trip around the Los Coronado's Island in Mexico, then back up into San Diego Bay.

Don

 

[Brian D]

Stay way outside the markers to avoid the kelp. If you see kelp, it is too late. But you already knew that. LOL

 

[CaptDon01]

Stay way outside the markers to avoid the kelp. If you see kelp, it is too late. But you already knew that. LOL

Yeah, I always stay way out, and never come into the San Diego Bay channel inside of buoy #5

Don

 

[Barnacle_Bob]

Hi Don. Would love to join you, but cannot. I towed my boat there last weekend, planning to get it set up, then bring my family out for sailing the bay over the July-4th weekend. Spent Saturday night sleeping aboard in a guest slip at Pier 32. I know you have often remarked that San Diego Bay is not very "buggy", but I had a terrible, sleepless, night that night due to the mosquitoes.

Sunday morning, I retrieved the boat at the ramp at Pepper Park, and was driving it across the lot to Pier 32 where I had arranged for mast-up storage. There were low hanging electrical wires - temporarily set up for construction in the park, and poorly marked. I didn't see them, and they caught my mast. The mast and the live wires came crashing down. So, now my boat is out of commission pending repairs - mast base is damaged, tabernacle is badly bent, all standing rigging is destroyed, except the back stay. Halyards were tied off, and there are stress cracks (not too bad) along the base of the starboard halyard cleat on the cabin top. Really ruined my weekend, and this coming weekend too.

I had been looking forward to San Diego Bay sailing for years - such a nice break from our heat in Arizona. I worked months to get our new boat road-ready for the trip, and seaworthy. So, quite disappointed just now. I'm still planning my next steps regarding repairs - I left the boat at Pier 32 rather than tow it back on Sunday.

I read on Google last night that the electrical code specifies that live wires at a coastal marina must be 45-feet above the ground - these clearly were not. I'm glad that no one was hurt, and there was no fire. I'm not too happy with San Diego County for having low hanging, poorly marked, live electrical wires at the Pepper Park launch ramp. And, I'm not too keen on Pier 32s mast-up storage arrangement - usually it's probably just fine, and the folks there were super nice and accommodating, but the construction has created a hazard for there mast-up storage customers. I accept my responsibility for failing to see the wires and recognize the risk. Now, to get my poor boat fixed and back on the water.

- Bob

 

[Picflight]

Sorry to hear that Bob, glad no one was hurt.

There are brighter days ahead and this mishap isn't too bad and you know that. March on mate!

 

[piedpiperIII]

Sorry to hear that Bob, so my driving home with bad wheel bearings and wobbly wheels were nothing compared.

 

[CaptDon01]

Glad no one was hurt Bob. That's too bad. I wonder if those "temporary" lines are the same lines that were there a couple years ago. I had won a free month slip rental from there and they we're up back then, guess progress is slow to come by. For San Diego Bay I always HIGHLY recommend Chula Vista Marina. Guaranteed no bugs. Pier-32 has saltwater swamps around it, that's why I never go there anymore.

I did make the trip around Pt Loma and into San Diego Bay. Got a few neat photos to post later. Covered 28 miles from Mariners Cove in Mission Bay to my slip at the Chula Vista Marina in south San Diego Bay. To my surprise, soon after I got the boat tied up a brief thunderstorm hit. The weather guessers completely missed calling that one,(but I'm not complaining, any rain we get is more than welcome!).

Don

 

[Barnacle_Bob]

Hi Don: glad you had a nice trip down from Mission Bay. Truly wish I could be sailing the bay this summer, but the accident with the overhead wire is going to keep me off the water at least for awhile. I'm not usually this way; but, live electric wires at a boat ramp, poor signage, and - at least according to some web research - the wires did not meet code for the proper height above ground - I am going to ask San Diego to pay for damages. I am really, really, bummed about my boat; but, someone could have been hurt or killed. It is negligent to have live wires at such a low height at a boat ramp.

I made a few calls around the Bay today inquiring about repairs. I need all new standing rigging - I was quoted costs for the rigging that are 2X what Catalina Direct sells it for. The same place - which was recommended to me - wants $1500 to $2000 for a new mast. CD has one for $600. I'm not sure I need a new mast - the other school of thought is to cut a few inches off the base to eliminate the damaged area, then re-drill a hole for the mast bolt and cut a chamfer into the mast to provide a surface for pivoting when stepping and unstepping. Frankly, I'm not keen on either option, and I'm starting to be concerned that these repairs will be a major project and a major expense. I like sailing, not working on my boat all the time. I'm becoming frustrated.

So, I need to figure out what to do. I will also check around for any used masts for a new design boat (1986 to 1995), although that is probably a long putt. I don't mean to sound grouchy; but, I am just really bummed. I bought the boat back in February, and with my job I get very little time to work on it. I finally had it ready for the road-trip (wheel bearings, new brake lines, brake work, new tires, new wheel and a tire for spares, new trailer lights), made the 7-hour trip without a hitch, am getting ready to drop off the boat at Pier 32 for their mast-up storage (with a power line between there and the ramp, mind you!), and - bam! - this stupid accident. I'll get over it ...

Last point, I considered both Chula Vista (J Street) Marina, based on your recommendation, and Pier 32 based on recommendations from a fellow Arizona sailor. I saw some negative online reviews for J Street, and opted for Pier 32. I have several reasons to doubt my choice at the moment (mosquitoes, bad info from staff concerning any hazards between their storage and the ramp, lack of knowledge about ramp conditions next door). But, that's where the boat is for now ... I'll get a plan together in the next few days.

If you know of anyone in the SD Bay area that is really good with our C-22s, please pass along that contact. The rigging shops that I've been talking to seem to be used to working on 40-footers, and want to charge accordingly. None of the folks that I spoke with today seemed to have a real sense for how best to repair the damaged mast, mast step, and standing rigging.

Thanks for the info.

- Bob

 

[Leeward Rail]

Bob,

Extremely sorry to hear about the mishap.
It's a serious bummer with all the prep work you put in.

Considering the circumstances as you've explained it, I'd definitely try to get them to pay for repairs.

Good Luck.

 

[CaptDon01]

Bob,

I've had real good luck with West Marine rigging shop in San Diego, VERY competitive, and they only use 316 1/8" SS wire. You don't want to shorten the mast, you'll just open up a whole new can of worms. I believe the new design had the shortest masts because of the redesigned cabin top. I would have to check out the resources on the National C-22 site. So you could use a new oval mast from a first generation boat possibly. There was a guy giving one away last weekend on Craigslist. There is also a guy from Colorado that listed a New Design C-22 in San Diego on Craigslist, practically giving it away, he asked me about buying it, but I already have one. The problem was it came from the Navy marina, it was a rental boat there, was a wing keel model I guess,(all he knew was that it's a fixed keel), no trailer, no interior cushions, but all the rigging was there, and sails not bad. He had a guy sail it for him to Mission Bay. I didn't see it on Craigslist, I might still have his contact information. But keep checking Craigslist. Could be all that you need, and more! I'll keep checking and see if I can find his number. What about your boat insurance? And, check with your agent, many home owners policies also cover boats up to a certain size and HP.

There are 2 or 3 marina's in Chula Vista Harbor, the only one I ever deal with is Chula Vista Marina. Their office is on the north portion of the harbor, just north of the Galley restaurant. GREAT folks, and top notch facilities. Mike Sullivan is the Harbor Master there.

Good luck, and again, at least no body got hurt!

Don

 

[Brian D]

Bob, the Port of San Diego may have you deal directly with the construction company, and then the construction company will say to deal with the Port of San Diego. Be prepared to be tossed around like a ping-pong ball between the construction company and the Port of San Diego.

Your best course of action might be to deal with your insurance company and let them arbitrate for you. This will be big guys pitted against big guys, not you against big guys. However, if you decide to do it on your own, you might need to get small claims court involved.

Regardless, best of luck and hope you get your boat fixed soon.

 

[Barnacle_Bob]

Hi Don: thanks for the info on the WestMarine rigging shop - good to know. I've been checking eBay and Craigslist (San Diego) for possible used replacement masts / cheap boats with a usable mast (I haven't see the posting you mentioned - used Navy-base new design C22 for sale by someone in Colorado - if you have that contact info, please pass it along. And, I've had a call with Kent at Catalina Direct, and have an email in to Catalina Yachts. My first approach is to try to replace the mast, assuming I can find one fairly soon and at a reasonable price point.

Don, why does shortening the mast cause problems ("... whole new can of worms")? Some have suggested just sawing off the damaged inch or so at the base, and putting a "shim" under the mast step to compensate for the shortened mast - CD even sells a plastic 1" shim for this purpose. What are the downsides of this approach?

 

[Barnacle_Bob]

Hi Brian: totally agree that finger pointing between the contractor and the Port of San Diego is likely; but, at the end of the day, I hold the port accountable for what occurs on their property. They have a daily presence at the boat ramp and construction site, and being in the business of operating ports and boat ramps, they should know what everyone else in the industry knows - low hanging powerlines at a boat ramp used by sailboats can be lethal.

I'm still deciding whether to engage my insurance company or to do it myself ... probably depends on the costs, which depend on whether I can repair (cut off the base of the mast and shim the mast step) or need to replace the mast, and the costs involve.

I'm starting to get over just feeling bad about the whole thing and focused on getting the boat back on the water. The July-4th long weekend is a no-go; but, maybe I can have the boat ready for Labor Day sailing with my family on San Diego Bay.

Thanks for your concern and help!

 

[CaptDon01]

Cutting the mast that little and installing a block under the tabernacle probably won't make any difference. As long as the total height isn't changed so you don't have to replace the stays with a bunch of custom lengths ones.

Don

 

[Barnacle_Bob]

Thanks Don. I'm starting to think that may be an option. I'll contact the WM rigging shop that you mentioned and see if they can do the work, including replacement of the running rigging. And, I'll keep an eye out for any great deals on new or used masts in the meantime. If there is anyone else in the SD area that you recommend for working on C-22s, please pass along that info.

 

[CaptDon01]

What I've done at West Marine is take the old stay in, and tell them to make another just like it, or maybe 1/2" shorter. Are your turnbuckles all good? All the attachment fittings OK?

For running rigging, go to Downwind Marine on Canon St in Pt Loma, it's not far from the big West Marine store, couple lights west on Rosecrans, Canon should be the light past the road to Shelter Island. They're line prices are better than West Marine, they have a rigging shop also, but they used a lower grade of stainless steel cable and I had some surface corrosion pop up on some rigging they did, so West Marine just uses a higher quality cable in my opinion. To avoid the high cost of splicing on my running rigging, I've been whipping the loops in the end for years. Easy, and very strong, and look nice.

There are several plastic shops around, and they sell scrap pieces of material. That would be a good choice to have a block for under the mast. There is a store near me in San Marcos that I've used, just can't think of their name. A plastic or fiberglass block would be maintenance free, and won't rot or compress like a wooden block might do.

Don

 

[CaptDon01]

HUGHES MARINE CONSIGNMENT AND SURPLUS
3602 Kurtzs St. San Diego, CA 92110

Tel: 619-377-6353

Business Hour:
Tuesday - Friday: 10:00am- 5:00pm
Saturday - Sunday: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Closed on Monday

 

[Barnacle_Bob]

Thanks Don!

 

[CaptDon01]

Bob, I found the guys number that has the C-22 New Design here in San Diego. I left a message on his cell phone to let me know if the boat was still available.

Don

 

[Barnacle_Bob]

Bob, I found the guys number that has the C-22 New Design here in San Diego. I left a message on his cell phone to let me know if the boat was still available. Don

Excellent. Thank you very much Don. I've spent some time today on the web looking at options, looking at rigging shops, surfing the Catalina Direct website, etc. A good used mast would be great, and there are other options that I can pursue if that doesn't pan out.

Thanks again for your advice and help!