How crazy of an idea is it to think about sailing my 23.5 to Catalina? Even more crazy...anyone wanna join in?
Crazy thought...
- Thread starter Orbweaver
- Start date
Well, if you are launching in Montana then that's crazy. If from anywhere in the Los Angeles / Long Beach area it is very sane. Smaller boats do it all the time. Watch the weather and go.
Yea...from FH Lake it's going to be a LOT of hydroelectric dams, and then down the coast. I was more thinking about using the trailer to get most of the way, then launch from LA area. I've got an old USAF buddy who works for LAPD, thinking about making a trip and catching a few lakes along the way, then out to Catalina for a few days.
We sometimes see standup paddleboarders crossing the 18 NM to the Gulf Islands in the summer with an escort boat. Been across there at times when you could hardly stand up in our boat. In the summer, it can often be so calm you can lean over the side of your boat and comb hairs #2 and #3 in the reflection of the water.
Indeed. When I was in high school we used to sail over there all the time in a Cal 20. Our gourmet fare consisted of pork and beans cooked over a Sterno stove, and Twinkies for dessert. (Note: Close quarters on a Cal 20 with a crew of pork and bean eating high schoolers is only for...high schoolers!)
Radio, check. I'm doing some research, I'm sure I'll find more safety gear that will need to be added to the kit.
when i first started sailing out of lido sail club in newport beach before gps, we went there doing dead reckoning.
everyone said if you dont see land when you think you were half way turn around. the story goes one group had to be rescued from mexico waters.
so go for it, but bring chartplotter and leave the beans at home.
mike
everyone said if you dont see land when you think you were half way turn around. the story goes one group had to be rescued from mexico waters.
so go for it, but bring chartplotter and leave the beans at home.
mike
I actually have a chart plotter to install already, and I plan to network that with my VHF/AIS. Not really a huge need on Flathead, but I'm OK with spending the money on safety upgrades. Handheld radio is also GPS.
AIS could be helpful on this trip, as the San Pedro channel has very busy shipping lanes. Even with AIS you should avoid doing the trip in poor visibility.
Neither of these is necessary for a trip to Catalina.
A properly working VHF is a must and a cell phone is also a good idea, granting that you are within cellphone range for most of the crossing. I'd also say a GPS is important as well. While it's pretty hard to miss the Island even if just navigating with a compass, if you did run into an issue requiring assistance, being able to pass your coordinates would be important.
The main coves offer shore boat service. The primary reason to have a dinghy is to save money, as repeated trips on the shore boat add up.