Beginners sailing to Catalina Island

[bbehler]

Hello

My wife and I own a Catalina 320 which we sail on beautiful Coeur d' Alene Lake in North Idaho. Two years ago we obtained our ASA bareboat charter license while sailing in Puget Sound with a skipper. We are thinking about a Catalina Island trip as our first adventure on our own in big water. Does anyone have any suggestions, advise on the trip such as timing, charter company, etc. We will likely plan a midweek trip.

Thanks

Brian

 

[Rick D]

Couple of Suggestions

When I was in Marina del Rey near LAX, I was most impressed with Seamist Skippers, now Blue Pacific. http://www.bluepacificboating.com
I suggest September is a great time. Even early October. Less crowding and great weather. You will want to start in Two Harbors and tour the coves including Emerald, Cat, White's and Avalon. That's just a few, but there are lots more. Go to the Catalina website and explore your options. Have a great time!

 

[Rick]

Couple more suggestions

In addition to what the very knowledgable Rick D said ( he actually owns a mooring in two harbors ), thought I would throw n my two cents from a sailing perspective. Check the weather window. Its 26 miles of open water to Avalon or Two Harbors. Fog is real anytime of the year. A "Sana Anna" can ruin your day real fast. There are no slips. You have to anchor in deep water, a hundred feet not unusual, or you have to grab the dreaded double ended can (mooring ball). The Catalina website discusses this in detail or if you want, someone here can explain it to you. Its an art! And what fun to sit and watch other boats come in to show off their skills!
The kelp and the shoals are real too so check your charts on your approach into anything west of Long Point. The harbor masters boats can give you lots and lots of help getting on a can. You will need a dingy, or a thumb!, or you can take the water taxi to shore.
It is sooooo beautiful there, you will love it. As Rick D said, it is a zoo in July, August, and early September but if during the week.... maybe. I personally wouldnt want my first trip to be just an excercise of not getting on a can and having to find anchorage or alternate coves in the top of season.
As a matter of fact, we are shoving off next wednesday for a week up there.
Rick D ya gonna be around?

Cheers

 

[Rick D]

Re: Couple more suggestions

Just returned, Rick. Then off on an Alaskan (cruise ship) tour. BTW, our weather window was great for Memorial weekend. We were waived off Avalon where we had planned to spend a few hours because of some very localized conditions; namely a swell and 25 knots in the harbor and lots of problems.

 

[Joe]

I have the dvd of this video download.... it is a godsend for first timers to the island.

http://www.thesailingchannel.tv/cast_off/

You can purchase the complete download, order the dvd, or just enjoy the free abridged version on the site. The free video gives you quite a bit of info... mooring instructions, msd, check in and highlights of popular anchorages. The charter company should provide you with a lot of info also...

You'll love Catalina....Have fun...

 

[bbehler]

Thanks Rick, Rick & Joe. We have ordered the DVD and looking forward to viewing that. My wife is in education so September is out of the question. If we make it a mid week trip in August are we likely to, as Rick said "have an excercise of not getting on a can and having to find anchorage or alternate coves"? Thanks for you feedback.

Brian

 

[Rick D]

You will most likely be OK mid-week. There are almost always moorings available and if not at Isthmus cove, then certainly at nearby ones. Avalon may be more problematic. However, White's and other adjacent coves are not far. There is an anchorage area at Descanso, but it's rolly. The trick to getting in to Avalon is to be there about 1000 when boats are leaving. I would go elsewhere on the island first and make Avalon a stop from there.