I just moved to Santa Barbara and will have my boat here shortly. It seems that Catalina Island may be a fantastic cruising opportunity. The boat will be in Ventura, which is even closer. Does anyone know anything about how long it takes to get there form my part of the world, or suggestions on what to do (and not do) once I get there?????? Thanks!!! -Ryan
Catalina Island cruising?
- Thread starter Ryan Tuohy
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Ryan, I'm on the other side as it were
way down south but from SB you probably are talking 2, 3 days to Catalina. Common practice is stopovers at Channel Island (Oxnard/ Ventura), Marina Del Ray, King Harbor or San Pedro, from the last 3 you are within 30 NM and a day's sail. Other alt. is outside achoring at Channel Islands as needed. Brian Fagan's book "Cruising Guide to Southern Calif." is very helpful. Also check the guides from The Log newspaper, I've added link here.
way down south but from SB you probably are talking 2, 3 days to Catalina. Common practice is stopovers at Channel Island (Oxnard/ Ventura), Marina Del Ray, King Harbor or San Pedro, from the last 3 you are within 30 NM and a day's sail. Other alt. is outside achoring at Channel Islands as needed. Brian Fagan's book "Cruising Guide to Southern Calif." is very helpful. Also check the guides from The Log newspaper, I've added link here.
J
Jim
Sailing to catalina
Well, it depends on how big a boat you have. I sail from Marina Del Rey to the Isthmus (Two Harbors) in 5hrs 50 min in my Cal 20 aprox 33 miles. 4hrs in my Cal 34. When you sail there (check your charts) if you steer towards the narrowest part of the island, that's the Isthmus. They have moorings there for rent. There's a restaurant, bar, pool tables and music Friday and Saturday night. As well as public restrooms and showers. Daytime activities such as Scuba diving, kayaking etc. You can hike around the island or take a ten minute walk from there to the otherside of the Island to a very pretty cove called Catalina Harbor which is the reason for the name Two Harbors. Or you can sail around to the other side which is the leeward side of the island and anchor at Catalina Harbor often referred to as Cat Harbor. Quiet, but no amenities. If you sail past the Isthmus farther to the south end, which is another ten miles approx. you will see Avalon. Avalon is a small city with hotels many restaurants and daytime activities. You can bicycle, hike or ride golf carts around the island. Keep in mind Catalina is 22 miles long. It has buffalo and wild bore, among other wildlife. Keep in mind it is very crowded on weekends and u might not be able to get a slip in Avalon, or the Isthmus without a reservation but there are a number of small coves to anchor in if you have a dinghy. Avalon and Isthmus have water taxis $3 each way.
Well, it depends on how big a boat you have. I sail from Marina Del Rey to the Isthmus (Two Harbors) in 5hrs 50 min in my Cal 20 aprox 33 miles. 4hrs in my Cal 34. When you sail there (check your charts) if you steer towards the narrowest part of the island, that's the Isthmus. They have moorings there for rent. There's a restaurant, bar, pool tables and music Friday and Saturday night. As well as public restrooms and showers. Daytime activities such as Scuba diving, kayaking etc. You can hike around the island or take a ten minute walk from there to the otherside of the Island to a very pretty cove called Catalina Harbor which is the reason for the name Two Harbors. Or you can sail around to the other side which is the leeward side of the island and anchor at Catalina Harbor often referred to as Cat Harbor. Quiet, but no amenities. If you sail past the Isthmus farther to the south end, which is another ten miles approx. you will see Avalon. Avalon is a small city with hotels many restaurants and daytime activities. You can bicycle, hike or ride golf carts around the island. Keep in mind Catalina is 22 miles long. It has buffalo and wild bore, among other wildlife. Keep in mind it is very crowded on weekends and u might not be able to get a slip in Avalon, or the Isthmus without a reservation but there are a number of small coves to anchor in if you have a dinghy. Avalon and Isthmus have water taxis $3 each way.
Thank you...
Jim, Thanks for the input (Thanks to Ted as well). I've got a Beneteau First 405. I'm getting a better idea of the island, but am still pretty unclear on sailing time from Ventura to the isthmus. Also, how much time would it take me to get form the isthmus (which i think I will get to first) to Avalon. Also, does Avalon take reservations? Thanks, Ryan
Jim, Thanks for the input (Thanks to Ted as well). I've got a Beneteau First 405. I'm getting a better idea of the island, but am still pretty unclear on sailing time from Ventura to the isthmus. Also, how much time would it take me to get form the isthmus (which i think I will get to first) to Avalon. Also, does Avalon take reservations? Thanks, Ryan
J
jim
Ventura to Catalina
Ryan, I dont know how fast your boat is, check the charts for the miles from Ventura to Marina Del Rey. Assuming you can average about 6 knts which should be about right with your boat, you can approximate the time it will take you to MDR. There are guest docks (.50) per foot per night at MDR. (just past the sheriff's station at the park) If you leave here around 9am you'll be at or close to the Isthmus around 1pm.(aprox. 4-5 hrs) Their phone # is 310/510-2683 If u go there or Avalon in the middle of the week u probably won't have trouble getting a mooring. Since u can reserve at the Isthmus, they do get full as summer approaches. Add another hour and a half for the extra ten miles to Avalon. I haven't sailed to Avalon in years, I don't know if they take reservations. email me: fastlaneltd@hotmail.com, maybe I'll follow you over.
Ryan, I dont know how fast your boat is, check the charts for the miles from Ventura to Marina Del Rey. Assuming you can average about 6 knts which should be about right with your boat, you can approximate the time it will take you to MDR. There are guest docks (.50) per foot per night at MDR. (just past the sheriff's station at the park) If you leave here around 9am you'll be at or close to the Isthmus around 1pm.(aprox. 4-5 hrs) Their phone # is 310/510-2683 If u go there or Avalon in the middle of the week u probably won't have trouble getting a mooring. Since u can reserve at the Isthmus, they do get full as summer approaches. Add another hour and a half for the extra ten miles to Avalon. I haven't sailed to Avalon in years, I don't know if they take reservations. email me: fastlaneltd@hotmail.com, maybe I'll follow you over.
No reservations at Avalon except for OWNERS
of moorings, about $50,000 I think and it seems that just gives them the right to reserve their own mooring 24 hrs. ahead. Otherwise moorings are $20 till 9 AM at which time you may have to move (if owner is coming). There are something over 300 moorings in Avalon and adjacent coves so other than Sat. AM in Summer usually something available.
of moorings, about $50,000 I think and it seems that just gives them the right to reserve their own mooring 24 hrs. ahead. Otherwise moorings are $20 till 9 AM at which time you may have to move (if owner is coming). There are something over 300 moorings in Avalon and adjacent coves so other than Sat. AM in Summer usually something available.
Go early in the morning 7am from Ventura..
directly to Catalina, Isthmus 9hrs +/-, Avalon add another 1.5 hrs. If you get there on a Thursday early afternoon you should not have any problems getting a mooring... first come basis. You can set a course directly to either location from Ventura, but try to pass the shipping lanes closer to a 90 angle if there is alot of traffic. Become familiar on how to moor in Catalina. Keep receipts of mooring payments... there has been some fraud cases and they may send you a bill at home if you have no proof of payment. Do not try to get away without paying if you stay xtra days. Observe generator hours. Have a nice trip. abe
directly to Catalina, Isthmus 9hrs +/-, Avalon add another 1.5 hrs. If you get there on a Thursday early afternoon you should not have any problems getting a mooring... first come basis. You can set a course directly to either location from Ventura, but try to pass the shipping lanes closer to a 90 angle if there is alot of traffic. Become familiar on how to moor in Catalina. Keep receipts of mooring payments... there has been some fraud cases and they may send you a bill at home if you have no proof of payment. Do not try to get away without paying if you stay xtra days. Observe generator hours. Have a nice trip. abe
K
Karl
Don't Forget Santa Cruz Island
Hey Ryan, Don't forget the rest of the Channel Islands as well, especially Santa Cruz Island. It is just a few hours away from Ventura, and most of the time you will have the location to yourself. Only drawback is that there are no facilities and you have to anchor. Calif. Ted is right; Brian Fagan's book "Cruising Guide to Southern California" does a great job going over all the local islands, including Catalina. It is easy to find as West Marine usually has it in stock all the time. A second option you might want to consider is stopping at Santa Barbara Island. Just a small rock off the beaten path, it is a great stopover for a night or two, and is only about 20 nm from Catalina.
Hey Ryan, Don't forget the rest of the Channel Islands as well, especially Santa Cruz Island. It is just a few hours away from Ventura, and most of the time you will have the location to yourself. Only drawback is that there are no facilities and you have to anchor. Calif. Ted is right; Brian Fagan's book "Cruising Guide to Southern California" does a great job going over all the local islands, including Catalina. It is easy to find as West Marine usually has it in stock all the time. A second option you might want to consider is stopping at Santa Barbara Island. Just a small rock off the beaten path, it is a great stopover for a night or two, and is only about 20 nm from Catalina.
M
Mark
SOP Rode
The first cruise I ever made was to Catalina. Thats what got me hooked on sailing back in 1985. I have rum-induced memory loss as a result BUT I do remember that we needed every bit of line we had to make a rode longer enough for anchoring in Avalon. Markdb PS. You can make a small fortune standing at the dock in the late evening near the water taxi with your hand out. The drunks think you are collecting for the water taxi. I don't recall exactly why I remember this.
The first cruise I ever made was to Catalina. Thats what got me hooked on sailing back in 1985. I have rum-induced memory loss as a result BUT I do remember that we needed every bit of line we had to make a rode longer enough for anchoring in Avalon. Markdb PS. You can make a small fortune standing at the dock in the late evening near the water taxi with your hand out. The drunks think you are collecting for the water taxi. I don't recall exactly why I remember this.
Ventura to Catalina
Ryan, We keep our O'Day 302 in Ventura. Last fall for Buccaneers Day we left the harbor at 03:00 and picked up a mooring at 12:30 in 4th of July Cove. Others have mentioned not to forget the Northern Channel Islands and believe me you shouldn't. While not commercialized at all it's beautiful out at Santa Cruz and the others. Easy sail from Ventura or Santa Barbara, a nice weekend getaway. Fagans book is great, if you want to look through it let me know, I live in Ventura and would be happy to loan you my copy. Where in Ventura are you going to park your boat, VIM or Ventura West ??? dave...
Ryan, We keep our O'Day 302 in Ventura. Last fall for Buccaneers Day we left the harbor at 03:00 and picked up a mooring at 12:30 in 4th of July Cove. Others have mentioned not to forget the Northern Channel Islands and believe me you shouldn't. While not commercialized at all it's beautiful out at Santa Cruz and the others. Easy sail from Ventura or Santa Barbara, a nice weekend getaway. Fagans book is great, if you want to look through it let me know, I live in Ventura and would be happy to loan you my copy. Where in Ventura are you going to park your boat, VIM or Ventura West ??? dave...
R
Ryan
Thank you
Thank you to all of you for your posts. I can't wait to head out to the islands soon. Thanks, Ryan
Thank you to all of you for your posts. I can't wait to head out to the islands soon. Thanks, Ryan
Sounded good enough that I went to Avalon
Wednesday, it's now 21$/night for mooring, there were very few boats there (25 or so transients like me). Very green right now looks tropical and it's been a while but it struck me again very boater has got to spent the night there at least once. It's got to be one of the cutest little harbors in the world and where else do you find a giant lighted monolith like the casino out your portlight. Got down to 52, wished I had a heater, I was in first row next to the beach next to Tuna Club. Try to get further out (at least 3 or 4 rows) I'd forgotten about the backwash off the beach and when it kicked in I had to move out of the aft cabin to sleep.
Wednesday, it's now 21$/night for mooring, there were very few boats there (25 or so transients like me). Very green right now looks tropical and it's been a while but it struck me again very boater has got to spent the night there at least once. It's got to be one of the cutest little harbors in the world and where else do you find a giant lighted monolith like the casino out your portlight. Got down to 52, wished I had a heater, I was in first row next to the beach next to Tuna Club. Try to get further out (at least 3 or 4 rows) I'd forgotten about the backwash off the beach and when it kicked in I had to move out of the aft cabin to sleep.
Made that trip in October...
on a Tartan 37, motoring most of the time. Actually we went Channel Islands to San Diego. But Avalon is within a couple miles of the rhumb line Channel Islands to SD. Left Channel Islands about 2200, went overnite and arrived off Avalon mid-morning next day; about 12 hours. Didn't stop, as we were delivering to SD. Arrived SD about 2200 that evening, 24 hours total CI-SD.
on a Tartan 37, motoring most of the time. Actually we went Channel Islands to San Diego. But Avalon is within a couple miles of the rhumb line Channel Islands to SD. Left Channel Islands about 2200, went overnite and arrived off Avalon mid-morning next day; about 12 hours. Didn't stop, as we were delivering to SD. Arrived SD about 2200 that evening, 24 hours total CI-SD.
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