Hi everyone, we have chartered a boat out of Newport Beach California, and are very much looking forward to it. I am wondering if anyone has any tips for a confident Great Lake sailor's first time on the ocean?.. Thanks!
First ocean sail
- Thread starter luv2sail67
- Start date
LUV2,
Coming out of Newport, 98% of the days are probably what you're used to at home. Watch the tide, read the chart, keep an eye out for tankers/freighters and Catalina Is ferries.
Have fun!
Coming out of Newport, 98% of the days are probably what you're used to at home. Watch the tide, read the chart, keep an eye out for tankers/freighters and Catalina Is ferries.
Have fun!
You did not mention for how long you have the charter, your crew size, or the boat size. The quickest trip would be down the coast 10 n.mi. SE to Dana Point; anchor (free) in the west anchorage for 72 hr w/o being harassed. Very pretty there. Easy to get ashore; much to see and do; can easily spend a couple of days there just chilling out. For adventure, cross the San Pedro Channel to Avalon at Santa Catalina Island about 26 n. mi.; or go further along the northwest tending coast of the island until reaching Two Harbors. Usually, people pick up mooring balls for the nights, but there is some anchoring around, even if a bit deep. If you want to sail into the "big city" go to Long Beach Shoreline Marina for downtown action, and get an overnight (or two nights) slip. That's about 23 or so n. mi. from Newport. If you have a lot of time and like to be on the move; go south to San Diego Bay, which is about 65 - 70 n. mi. from Newport. Get slips or anchor (weekends) at La Playa (need advance permit; call ahead SD Harbormaster).
Afternoon winds (when there are any off Newport) are typically SW at 10 to 15 kt. Usually quite lumpy in the area just outside the harbor channel, and for a ways in either direction along the coast. Lots of traffic in and out on sunny days if warmish; etc.
Afternoon winds (when there are any off Newport) are typically SW at 10 to 15 kt. Usually quite lumpy in the area just outside the harbor channel, and for a ways in either direction along the coast. Lots of traffic in and out on sunny days if warmish; etc.
Luv2sail,
Without getting into specifics.....my advice is:
1. Always make good decisions when your out in the water. When in doubt, ask the admiral. Admirals tend to be more conservative than captains, which will keep you out of trouble.
2. Keep the boat on her feet (reef often). Even if the wind conditions may not call for a reef, the enjoyment of crew and reduced strain on the boat is more important than an extra knot or two.
3. Keep your sailing time reasonable (no Magellan imitations) so the admiral and crew can get off the boat and go exploring and not feel confined to a boat the whole day.
4. Get to your anchoring spot or dockage early with good sunlight overhead so you can see.
5. Marinas (shore showers) are a good thing for admirals. They enjoy it.
6. One actual sailing bit: don't look in the black mirror (chartplotter) too much. Review your paper chart the night before, plot a course the old fashioned way with dividers and parallel ruler so you know where you are going. Then, use the OEM eyeball......enjoy the water.
That's my 2 (actually 6) cents. Our home port is Chesapeake bay, and we charter in the BVI/Caribbean every year. These are things I have learned through the years with a wonderful and loving admiral, as well as with three crew members (kids), and a ship's dog (yellow lab).
Fair winds!
Ben
Without getting into specifics.....my advice is:
1. Always make good decisions when your out in the water. When in doubt, ask the admiral. Admirals tend to be more conservative than captains, which will keep you out of trouble.
2. Keep the boat on her feet (reef often). Even if the wind conditions may not call for a reef, the enjoyment of crew and reduced strain on the boat is more important than an extra knot or two.
3. Keep your sailing time reasonable (no Magellan imitations) so the admiral and crew can get off the boat and go exploring and not feel confined to a boat the whole day.
4. Get to your anchoring spot or dockage early with good sunlight overhead so you can see.
5. Marinas (shore showers) are a good thing for admirals. They enjoy it.
6. One actual sailing bit: don't look in the black mirror (chartplotter) too much. Review your paper chart the night before, plot a course the old fashioned way with dividers and parallel ruler so you know where you are going. Then, use the OEM eyeball......enjoy the water.
That's my 2 (actually 6) cents. Our home port is Chesapeake bay, and we charter in the BVI/Caribbean every year. These are things I have learned through the years with a wonderful and loving admiral, as well as with three crew members (kids), and a ship's dog (yellow lab).
Fair winds!
Ben
Just a note. When I brought Windmistress down from Marina del Rey and stopped downtown Long Beach, I was told there are neither temp slips nor a fuel dock as there are down the way at Los Alamitos. Seems counterintuitive for such a large marina, but . . . . I ended up spending the night at the restaurant dock and was not bothered, but that clearly violated the posted sign.
I think this is excellent advice for all cruisers! Technically I'd be classified as the admiral, but your advice is sound for any cruising couple. There is always one who is more hard core than the other, and being sensitive to this will ensure that you get buy in to go again in the future!
Luv2sail,
The only other thing I might suggest with a crew of 2 is to "clip in" to the binnacle or backstay if the swell builds. A POB (person overboard) with a small crew is tough. Even when I sail with my family on board, I clip in. They would find it difficult to get me back on board should I fall overboard if was injured and couldn't participate in the process. Most of those inflatable PFD's have D rings for clipping in. Of course we never plan on falling off the boat, but stuff happens.
Ben
The only other thing I might suggest with a crew of 2 is to "clip in" to the binnacle or backstay if the swell builds. A POB (person overboard) with a small crew is tough. Even when I sail with my family on board, I clip in. They would find it difficult to get me back on board should I fall overboard if was injured and couldn't participate in the process. Most of those inflatable PFD's have D rings for clipping in. Of course we never plan on falling off the boat, but stuff happens.
Ben
Dana Point, CA
OK. I assume your "day of charter" is an over-nighter. If so, a cruise down to Dana Point in a Catalina 36 should be a perfect first-time ocean sail out of Newport Harbor. Whenever I charter in a new sailing venue, I like to read historical accounts of the area. The best one for you would be Two Years before the Mast by Richard Henry Dana.
Dana Point was obviously named for him. It's about his adventure as a deck hand on a brig in the 1830's which sailed from Boston to the California coast to purchase cow hides from local Mexican ranchers. The Pilgrim sailed a couple of round trips between San Diego and Monterey/San Francisco trading for hides. According to Dana, the area now called Dana Point was the "only romantic" spot on the west coast. A full-size replica of the Pilgrim is there, along with a visitor center, less than 200 feet from where you'll be anchored in the west basin/anchorage. It's a short row to a landing platform where you can tie up the dink and go ashore. So, be sure to bring one with you. I wouldn't tow it, however; although lots of folks do. An Achilles 8'6'' inflatable with an inflatable floor is good enough if the charter company has one available. You don't need an outboard in there at DP so don't waste money on one. You want to keep things light so you can haul aboard and secure.
There's also a bronze statue with dedication on the mole of Richard Dana looking to sea. It's worth having a look at for a few minutes at least. I think the folks who live there are proud of the heritage.
OK. I assume your "day of charter" is an over-nighter. If so, a cruise down to Dana Point in a Catalina 36 should be a perfect first-time ocean sail out of Newport Harbor. Whenever I charter in a new sailing venue, I like to read historical accounts of the area. The best one for you would be Two Years before the Mast by Richard Henry Dana.
Dana Point was obviously named for him. It's about his adventure as a deck hand on a brig in the 1830's which sailed from Boston to the California coast to purchase cow hides from local Mexican ranchers. The Pilgrim sailed a couple of round trips between San Diego and Monterey/San Francisco trading for hides. According to Dana, the area now called Dana Point was the "only romantic" spot on the west coast. A full-size replica of the Pilgrim is there, along with a visitor center, less than 200 feet from where you'll be anchored in the west basin/anchorage. It's a short row to a landing platform where you can tie up the dink and go ashore. So, be sure to bring one with you. I wouldn't tow it, however; although lots of folks do. An Achilles 8'6'' inflatable with an inflatable floor is good enough if the charter company has one available. You don't need an outboard in there at DP so don't waste money on one. You want to keep things light so you can haul aboard and secure.
There's also a bronze statue with dedication on the mole of Richard Dana looking to sea. It's worth having a look at for a few minutes at least. I think the folks who live there are proud of the heritage.
We are here in Dana Point and sail out of Newport for many of our races here. I would be really happy to give you some good info that would be easier by email or private message than here. Send me a PM. If you're interested...you'll enjoy the area If there's wind... When are you coming and for how long?
Great wind picking up this morning!!! Hope it hold for our Ensenada Tune Up tomorrow from Newport to DP!
Great wind picking up this morning!!! Hope it hold for our Ensenada Tune Up tomorrow from Newport to DP!
Sounds like a lot of fun. Some good recommendations have already been made. In addition, I recommend you have a solid plan for where you're heading (don't worry, the plan will be discarded very soon on the water, but it makes you study the charts and learn the area), bring clothing for the worst possible conditions, have a well equipped first aid kit, over-provision the boat, and every hour keep a log of your position and barometric pressure.