1st sailing trip to Catalina, some questions

[Skipper]

3 most important mooring pick-up tasks:

1. Do not run over the ball. Stop the boat with the bow at the pin. That means stop.

2. Loop the hawser over your cleat in the bow, but also quickly wrap the pin's smaller line around the opposite cleat. This will prevent the bow line from letting go completely, should the main hawser pop off, which it WILL DO while still not under tension, especially on a small cleat.

3. Be fast but safe walking to the stern. Plant your feet in the cockpit, and use your leverage to correct any drifting by pulling on the line. If the line gets stiff at the stern, it may be too short for your boat. If so, wrap the lead line around the stern cleat instead of the hawser. Get it tied up first, and worry about adjusting later.

 

[caguy]

3 most important mooring pick-up tasks:
2. Loop the hawser over your cleat in the bow, but also quickly wrap the pin's smaller line around the opposite cleat. This will prevent the bow line from letting go completely, should the main hawser pop off, which it WILL DO while still not under tension, especially on a small cleat.

I have thought about looping a short line through the anchor cleat, with a large carbiner on the end , to attach to the hawser. It would be safer and faster than struggling with jamming the fat hawser loop onto the cleat.

I have also considered running a line through a bock from the anchor cleat back to the cockpit. So that you can pull the boat up to the stick at the cock pit rather than the bow. I would then attach another short line with a large carbiner to either the winch or stern cleat and then hook the spreader line. At that point the line running to the block could pull the boat backward while the spreader line slides through the carbiner keeping the boat from drifting too far. Once the hawser is pulled to the anchor cleat the line can be cleated off in the cockpit and the aft hawser attached. The forward hawser could then be dealt with and attached.
It seems that you would be in constant control of the boat without having to run around the boat. Sounds more complicated than I visualize it.
(This is what happens when you solo sail to Catalina with 7 hours of talking to yourself.)

 

[Brian D]

This looks like a good video about mooring in Catalina.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ciYv9HXhGs

 

[newsailor72]

thanks for all the good info.

another question. Does the sea get really rough in midway or near the island. just want to know what to expect.

also, I've two 6 gal tanks, will it be enough for to and back. outboard is 6 hp, 4 stroke.

 

[newsailor72]

what's the CG emergency phone #, in case I can't reach them by vhf.

 

[caguy]

US CG Los Angeles emergency number 800 221-USCG8724.

12 gallons should be enough for round trip especially if you don't go full throttle. If I drop below 3 nmph I turn on the ob to just above idle. You will find that you can add an extra couple of nmph more with the motor barely cracked open.

Before you start back check your fuel and you can refill at the fuel dock if needed. Coming home you will have a swell and wind advantage. (Avalon to Long Beach that is)

Where are you sailing out of?

You should have some pretty good weather this weekend. I have found the wiind to be strongest as you approach the island from about 8 or so miles out until you reach the shadow of the island. If the wind is blowing moderately you will find it windier leaving Angel's gate. That is why they call it Huricane Gulch. This weekend looks to be pretty calm according to NOAA and local news. I think the wind warnings ended tonight at 7pm according to Jackie Johnson, I have trouble paying attention to the numbers when she is the weather girl.

 

[Rick]

New Sailor you are getting some great advice.

Good news is there are always boats to and from so even if you had a problem, you should be able to have someone relay your position should the need arise.

The currents that flow around the front and back of Catalina tend to act like an airfoil on the southeast end so stay hi. Say abeam Hunnington Beach for your course to Avalon. That should give you a nice beam to broad reach for your crossing and keep you above the confluence of current and choppy seas.

Finally, I disagree politely with Skipper. Catalina is not Annapolis. Watching people catch moorings in Avalon and Two Harbors is incredible entertainment! The most common problem is a wave off due to exactly what is explained above. Charging the can. Not playing your stern to weather. And not having your plan in order. A wand on deck that is serving no purpose is a hazard.

Result. A wand on the deck that snags and BREAKS when it gets entangled in your rigging and pulpitif if you wave off. IMHO, once you loop the hawser over the cleat, throw the wand back in the water! That is what you will see the vets do. Also, once you get everything shored up, NOW put the wand up in your pulpit so it is not going pitter patter on your hull all night. Also, you will have to set the tension by adjusting the aft hawser. If you get it too tight the boat will tend to whip back and forth due to swell. You may want to loosen and just tie off the line running to the bottom weight to make for a comfortable evening.

Good sailing. You will love the Island.