I'm thinking about chartering from either Long Beach or San Diego during early summer, and would like to do a reasonable first time off shore excursion. Any thoughts about sailing to Catalina Island for a several day visit. I own a Catalina 27 which I easily solo in 15 - 20 knot winds. May or may not have crew for the Pacific sail. Any ideas for a inland Texas sailor. Les
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Pacific Sail
Les, A little more information might be helpful. What size boat are you planning on chartering? When you say no crew, do you mean solo, or with non-sailing friends? I would think that some charter companies may not provide you a boat solo or without some crew. That would be the case in northern California. In fact, you would need coastal cruising certificates up here, but I understand that is not necessarily so in southern California. I'm a northern California sailor with some offshore experience, including a sail from San Francisco to Ensenada. I can tell you that the sail from San Francisco to Point conception was more challenging than anything south of there. In fact, we sailed little after reaching southern California waters, as seas were mild and the wind was light. I suspect that isn't always the case. San Diego to Catalina is a long sail that probably either starts or ends at night unless you stop along the way. Catalina is pretty easy, but I suspect you would want to arrive during the day. There are lots of southern California sailors here so you should get some good advice. Good luck. Dan Jonas (S.V. Feije II)
Les, A little more information might be helpful. What size boat are you planning on chartering? When you say no crew, do you mean solo, or with non-sailing friends? I would think that some charter companies may not provide you a boat solo or without some crew. That would be the case in northern California. In fact, you would need coastal cruising certificates up here, but I understand that is not necessarily so in southern California. I'm a northern California sailor with some offshore experience, including a sail from San Francisco to Ensenada. I can tell you that the sail from San Francisco to Point conception was more challenging than anything south of there. In fact, we sailed little after reaching southern California waters, as seas were mild and the wind was light. I suspect that isn't always the case. San Diego to Catalina is a long sail that probably either starts or ends at night unless you stop along the way. Catalina is pretty easy, but I suspect you would want to arrive during the day. There are lots of southern California sailors here so you should get some good advice. Good luck. Dan Jonas (S.V. Feije II)
Do Catalina
...and Two harbors... Both are well worth seeing, and plan to spend a few days. The crossing from Long Beach is an easy (depending on weather) day trip, and Catalina in early summer is very nice. Check it on the web for information on mooring balls, and expect crowds (arrive early and avoid weekends). The trip from San Diego is typically an overnight, but can be broken up with stops in between. You'll like it. Check the link for more on Catalina, and west coast stuff. Sanders
...and Two harbors... Both are well worth seeing, and plan to spend a few days. The crossing from Long Beach is an easy (depending on weather) day trip, and Catalina in early summer is very nice. Check it on the web for information on mooring balls, and expect crowds (arrive early and avoid weekends). The trip from San Diego is typically an overnight, but can be broken up with stops in between. You'll like it. Check the link for more on Catalina, and west coast stuff. Sanders
From SD most people stop overnite at
Oceanside, Dana Point or Newport when going to Catalina. Further upcoast you start the easier because from Dana Pt. it's about 240 degrees M, which is about same as prevailing winds. It's about 34 NM from Dana and 27 from San Pedro-Long Beach to Avalon. At that time of year winds are generally light < 10 Knts and > 15 Kts. would be unusual. In mild conditions there is gentle offshore in AM till about 1000 then onshore westerlies begin which will be strongest from 1330 to 1530 and then diminish till sunset. When clear the south coast is much like a huge bay with Palos Verdes (hill above San Pedro) on north and Point Loma (San Diego) on the south and Catalina offshore. Santa Anas are the only trick winds and are not common that time of year. In the fall I can catch a mild Santa Ana and sail straight to Catalina close hauled on a starboard tack in about 8 hrs. from Dana. Moorings are vacated and assigned at 0900 in Avalon so especially on weekends many motor over at night when wind and chop are light to arrive early and secure a mooring. A helpful book for planning your trip may be "The Cruising Guide to Central and Southern California: Golden Gate to Ensenada, Mexico, Including the Offshore Islands" by Brian M. Fagan 99.9% of the time it's a piece of cake and a beautiful piece of ocean. Also good source is the link attached for The Log, it's a boating and fishing paper for CA, in menu at lower left under "special publications" are links to info on various prts.
Oceanside, Dana Point or Newport when going to Catalina. Further upcoast you start the easier because from Dana Pt. it's about 240 degrees M, which is about same as prevailing winds. It's about 34 NM from Dana and 27 from San Pedro-Long Beach to Avalon. At that time of year winds are generally light < 10 Knts and > 15 Kts. would be unusual. In mild conditions there is gentle offshore in AM till about 1000 then onshore westerlies begin which will be strongest from 1330 to 1530 and then diminish till sunset. When clear the south coast is much like a huge bay with Palos Verdes (hill above San Pedro) on north and Point Loma (San Diego) on the south and Catalina offshore. Santa Anas are the only trick winds and are not common that time of year. In the fall I can catch a mild Santa Ana and sail straight to Catalina close hauled on a starboard tack in about 8 hrs. from Dana. Moorings are vacated and assigned at 0900 in Avalon so especially on weekends many motor over at night when wind and chop are light to arrive early and secure a mooring. A helpful book for planning your trip may be "The Cruising Guide to Central and Southern California: Golden Gate to Ensenada, Mexico, Including the Offshore Islands" by Brian M. Fagan 99.9% of the time it's a piece of cake and a beautiful piece of ocean. Also good source is the link attached for The Log, it's a boating and fishing paper for CA, in menu at lower left under "special publications" are links to info on various prts.
S. Cal
Is this now a commercial board? Cal Ted is right the ports farther north are the best places for setting off to Catalina. However, there are places and things to do in San Diego itself. A day sail and overnight to Mission Bay, same out to the coronados, and the Bay itself can be a wonderful sail. For Catalina we sail to Oceanside and overnight at the guest docks, then set out early the next am. Makes for a pleasent trip. There are many operators who charter boats in S. Cal. do a web search and check out thier fleets. Harbor Sailboats San Diego Yacht Charters/Set Sail Charters Marina Sailing Seaforth and some others Good luck to you and enjoy your trip. dlentz S/V Dancy h340
Is this now a commercial board? Cal Ted is right the ports farther north are the best places for setting off to Catalina. However, there are places and things to do in San Diego itself. A day sail and overnight to Mission Bay, same out to the coronados, and the Bay itself can be a wonderful sail. For Catalina we sail to Oceanside and overnight at the guest docks, then set out early the next am. Makes for a pleasent trip. There are many operators who charter boats in S. Cal. do a web search and check out thier fleets. Harbor Sailboats San Diego Yacht Charters/Set Sail Charters Marina Sailing Seaforth and some others Good luck to you and enjoy your trip. dlentz S/V Dancy h340
Catalina is only 4 to 5 hours from Long Beach
We sail to Catalina from Long Beach 6 to 7 times per year on a Hunter 40.5. The one rule of thumb is never arrive at Catalina on a weekend in the summer, since the moorings will be full.There is anchoring, but most spots are at least 80 to 100 feet deep. (Cat Harbor would be the exception with lesser anchoring depths). You will have no problem with the sailing conditions. Most of the time the wind is light in the morning with an average of 15 to 20 in the afternoons. Have a good time
We sail to Catalina from Long Beach 6 to 7 times per year on a Hunter 40.5. The one rule of thumb is never arrive at Catalina on a weekend in the summer, since the moorings will be full.There is anchoring, but most spots are at least 80 to 100 feet deep. (Cat Harbor would be the exception with lesser anchoring depths). You will have no problem with the sailing conditions. Most of the time the wind is light in the morning with an average of 15 to 20 in the afternoons. Have a good time
Thanks all
Thanks guys - you californians make a texan feel right at home. I appreciate all the responses and good advice. I will check with charter companies recommended an especially the bit about single handed (solo) sailing. I think a boat around 30' would be most comfortable for me, since I'm used to my Catalina 27. I look forward to my S. California experience. Les H
Thanks guys - you californians make a texan feel right at home. I appreciate all the responses and good advice. I will check with charter companies recommended an especially the bit about single handed (solo) sailing. I think a boat around 30' would be most comfortable for me, since I'm used to my Catalina 27. I look forward to my S. California experience. Les H
Get this video
It's called "Cruising Catalina and San Clemente Islands" sold for $29.95 by Bennett Marine Video. A couple of guys take a Cat30 from Oceanside over to Avalon, Cat Harbor, and San Clemente Island in the springtime. Lots of info on the weather/sea conditions, port/mooring procedures, diving, recommended stuff to bring, facilities ashore, etc. A little dated now (late '80s), but the sea doesn't change that much in 15 years...
It's called "Cruising Catalina and San Clemente Islands" sold for $29.95 by Bennett Marine Video. A couple of guys take a Cat30 from Oceanside over to Avalon, Cat Harbor, and San Clemente Island in the springtime. Lots of info on the weather/sea conditions, port/mooring procedures, diving, recommended stuff to bring, facilities ashore, etc. A little dated now (late '80s), but the sea doesn't change that much in 15 years...
Here's an alternative that offers more...
Les, the other scenarios do sound inviting. But I'd like to offer a somewhat different choice for you to consider. Instead of chartering S of LA and then finding all of your charter is occupied by SoCal marinas and perhaps crowded/surgy Avalon on Catalina, I'd recommend chartering N of LA, perhaps out of Ventura or Oxnard. This would provide you with the following three cruising/sailing segments, each of which is distinct and interesting: 1. Sail over to Santa Barbara Is. and anchor in the cove among the sea lions; dink ashore to visit the ranger station and have a one-day experience that is truly unique and will give you a sense for what the Channel Is. experience can be. 2. Make the short hop to the backside of Catalina and anchor/moor in Cat Harbor. Protected, warm & sunny when early summer brings lots of fog and disappointing temps to the SoCal coast, and you can hike across the island from the dinghy landing in about 10 mins. 3. Sail back by way of one of the SoCal marinas, or perhaps by spending a night behind Pt. Dume before returning to your charter boat's home marina. If Avalon Harbor is a 'must see' for you, just add a day dedicated to sailing around the E corner and down the island to Avalon, before the #3 return leg mentioned above. Isn't it nice to have so many fun choices! Jack
Les, the other scenarios do sound inviting. But I'd like to offer a somewhat different choice for you to consider. Instead of chartering S of LA and then finding all of your charter is occupied by SoCal marinas and perhaps crowded/surgy Avalon on Catalina, I'd recommend chartering N of LA, perhaps out of Ventura or Oxnard. This would provide you with the following three cruising/sailing segments, each of which is distinct and interesting: 1. Sail over to Santa Barbara Is. and anchor in the cove among the sea lions; dink ashore to visit the ranger station and have a one-day experience that is truly unique and will give you a sense for what the Channel Is. experience can be. 2. Make the short hop to the backside of Catalina and anchor/moor in Cat Harbor. Protected, warm & sunny when early summer brings lots of fog and disappointing temps to the SoCal coast, and you can hike across the island from the dinghy landing in about 10 mins. 3. Sail back by way of one of the SoCal marinas, or perhaps by spending a night behind Pt. Dume before returning to your charter boat's home marina. If Avalon Harbor is a 'must see' for you, just add a day dedicated to sailing around the E corner and down the island to Avalon, before the #3 return leg mentioned above. Isn't it nice to have so many fun choices! Jack
Chartering out of Ventura or Oxnard
Les, just wondering if you've done any ocean sailing and anchoring with ocean currents and shifting winds. If you like people Catalina is beautiful, lots to see and do, places to eat and have a cocktail. Most of your time would be spent on moorings except in Cat Harbor. However, if you want quiet anchorages and more sea life, I think Jacks right. Charter out of Ventura or Oxnard. Although I think that a better alternative would be to sail out to Santa Cruz and maybe up to Santa Rosa. The problem with going down to Catalina that time of year (or any time) is that you can get hammered comming back up. Unless you catch a break in the weather your heading into the seas and wind most of the way back. I did three trips to Catalina last year and fought the seas each time. Someone earlier mentioned Brian Fagan's book, a great book as far as I'm concerned. Do a Google search and you'll find thousands of sites related to him. Dave.............
Les, just wondering if you've done any ocean sailing and anchoring with ocean currents and shifting winds. If you like people Catalina is beautiful, lots to see and do, places to eat and have a cocktail. Most of your time would be spent on moorings except in Cat Harbor. However, if you want quiet anchorages and more sea life, I think Jacks right. Charter out of Ventura or Oxnard. Although I think that a better alternative would be to sail out to Santa Cruz and maybe up to Santa Rosa. The problem with going down to Catalina that time of year (or any time) is that you can get hammered comming back up. Unless you catch a break in the weather your heading into the seas and wind most of the way back. I did three trips to Catalina last year and fought the seas each time. Someone earlier mentioned Brian Fagan's book, a great book as far as I'm concerned. Do a Google search and you'll find thousands of sites related to him. Dave.............
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