Anone have any tips on cruising out to the Catalina islands from Dana Point? I should be heading out there last week of july 2001 and would like to join a flotilla or other persons since this would be me and my wife's first cruise out there...
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Jon...It's a great trip...
We are in Sunroad Marina in San Diego. The trip from Dana Point to Avalon is an easy sail, or motor depending on conditions. We go to Danna Point first, the across. The only thing to look our for in the shipping channel are the tugs towing sand barges. I swear the barge looks like its a mile behind the tug, so don't think you can go between. Avalon is a great stop on you first trip. Lots to do, if you don't have a dink there is a water taxi. You will also need to know how to pick a mooring ball. (its very easy) Instructions are on the Catalina web page. If you would like to get together before you trip contact me at mckee119@hotmail.com. We are on the boat about every other weekend.. Dick McKee S/V Constellation
We are in Sunroad Marina in San Diego. The trip from Dana Point to Avalon is an easy sail, or motor depending on conditions. We go to Danna Point first, the across. The only thing to look our for in the shipping channel are the tugs towing sand barges. I swear the barge looks like its a mile behind the tug, so don't think you can go between. Avalon is a great stop on you first trip. Lots to do, if you don't have a dink there is a water taxi. You will also need to know how to pick a mooring ball. (its very easy) Instructions are on the Catalina web page. If you would like to get together before you trip contact me at mckee119@hotmail.com. We are on the boat about every other weekend.. Dick McKee S/V Constellation
buddy boating
Jon, you might want to let people know what sort of boat you've got; if a 24 footer tries to buddy boat with a 44 footer, both parties will probably find the speed issue frustrating.
Jon, you might want to let people know what sort of boat you've got; if a 24 footer tries to buddy boat with a 44 footer, both parties will probably find the speed issue frustrating.
Island Cruising
Get a copy of Brian Fagan's "Cruising Guide to Southern California's Offshore Islands." It has great info on Santa Barbara, San Nicolas, San Clemente, and Catalina anchorages, approaches, and weather dangers. Most of the book is about the Channel Islands and harbors up and down the coast but the information on the southern islands is worth the cost of the book (wouldn't want to go sailing in the middle of Navy target practice!)
Get a copy of Brian Fagan's "Cruising Guide to Southern California's Offshore Islands." It has great info on Santa Barbara, San Nicolas, San Clemente, and Catalina anchorages, approaches, and weather dangers. Most of the book is about the Channel Islands and harbors up and down the coast but the information on the southern islands is worth the cost of the book (wouldn't want to go sailing in the middle of Navy target practice!)
A little trip to Avalon...
You'll have a great time! Avalon is a wonderful place to visit, with a wealth of things to do. A few tips, if I may... First and foremost, every boat in Southern California will be heading to Avalon this summer (or so it will seem). Try to plan your arrival for sometime between Sunday afternoon and Thursday morning, so you have a better chance of getting a slip inside the harbor. Slips are "first come, first served", call the Harbormaster on your way in for a berthing assignment. I've had quieter nights when berthed on the north side of the harbor near the Casino than south near the harbor entrance. Take your diving gear if you're a diver: there is lots to see underwater as well. If you happen to be a Navy issue sailor, especially a submariner, there is a bar in town, I think it's call the Marlin or the Bluefin, where you will be made especially welcome. Ask the harbormaster. If you really want to know what's going on in town, go to the barber shop. It's a sort of unofficial meeting post for the island's cognoscenti. (The owner's son was once mayor at the ripe old age of 21). Have a great time. Howard
You'll have a great time! Avalon is a wonderful place to visit, with a wealth of things to do. A few tips, if I may... First and foremost, every boat in Southern California will be heading to Avalon this summer (or so it will seem). Try to plan your arrival for sometime between Sunday afternoon and Thursday morning, so you have a better chance of getting a slip inside the harbor. Slips are "first come, first served", call the Harbormaster on your way in for a berthing assignment. I've had quieter nights when berthed on the north side of the harbor near the Casino than south near the harbor entrance. Take your diving gear if you're a diver: there is lots to see underwater as well. If you happen to be a Navy issue sailor, especially a submariner, there is a bar in town, I think it's call the Marlin or the Bluefin, where you will be made especially welcome. Ask the harbormaster. If you really want to know what's going on in town, go to the barber shop. It's a sort of unofficial meeting post for the island's cognoscenti. (The owner's son was once mayor at the ripe old age of 21). Have a great time. Howard
Try Two Harbors
I would suggest you try something other than Avalon in the summer. There are just a lot of people there. YOu might try Two Harbors--plenty of mooring there. Also,Emerld Bay is just beautiful.
I would suggest you try something other than Avalon in the summer. There are just a lot of people there. YOu might try Two Harbors--plenty of mooring there. Also,Emerld Bay is just beautiful.
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