Cruising the Calif. Coast

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Apr 23, 2005
194
Macgregor 26D Calif. Delta
As a new California owner, I'm curious to know others experience sailing the coastal waters. Does the Mac26 work well for coastal cruising? It'll be a while before I venture out the Golden Gate, but I have visions of sailing south to the Channel Islands someday. Anyone done that (and returned?;) Thanks all!
 
Jun 4, 2004
60
Macgregor 26X 97444, 94561
Please, if you

get any responses, will you let me know. I want to sail my Mac26X down the Calif. coast harbor hopping to Stockton. I've been out in the open ocean here a dozen times to about 10 or 15 miles, and the Mac26X really feels stable in the swell. My email is..mbechelb@carrollsweb.com Thanks
 
Jan 25, 2005
138
Macgregor 21 Marina del Rey, CA
Just know what you're getting yourself into...

Going around Point Conception is rough, even for a 30 footer. I wouldn't recommend traveling great distances except under the very best of conditions. I've heard too many stories of people getting really messed up by the weather off the Central Coast. The swells frequently go above 12 feet and combined seas are rarely below 8 feet. The winds are almost always 15-25 or 20-30 knots. If you don't believe me, check out the link to the current marine weather forecast for this area. People from my sailing club have died from hypothermia after their boat turtled from sudden large waves. There was an article in Sail magazine by some guy who left Morro Bay for Hawaii, and he didn't even make it past the Channel Islands because his boat was damaged by a storm. And he wasn't in a trailerable sailboat. On the other hand, if you're experienced enough, know your boat well enough, keep a good eye on the weather forecasts, play it safe, and are willing to wait for bad weather to pass, you shouldn't have any trouble. Although it's no picnic, going south is MUCH easier than going north. You might want to have someone drive your trailer down and meet you in Santa Barbara...it'd be a lot safer.
 
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