just wondering how likely is it to get a mooring spot in Avalon if I go on this thur, maybe stay for 3 nights. or is it better to go on a Sun? sailboat is 22 ft. thanks.
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getting a mooring in Avalon
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if we get the descanso spot, what is the best way to shuttle 2 adults and 2 kids into town (green pier area). we only have a rowing dinghy, is it a long hard row from descanso to the casino dinghy dock?
The dinghy dock near the casino is on the complete opposite side of the harbor from the dock at the green pier. The dock closest to the casino would be the one closest to you if you are in Descanso, and it would be a row of nearly half a mile--depending upon where in Descanso you are placed. The row to the green pier is going to be half a mile or a little bit more. The difficulty of the row will depend on the kind of dinghy you have, how many people (plus gear) you have loaded into it, and whether the wind (if any) is assisting or impeding you. It may prove to be quite a slog.
The easiest way is going to be radioing the shoreboat on Channel 9 for a pickup. But you will probably pay something like $5/person each way. (I'm not 100% sure on that but that's probably pretty close.)
If you want to get a sense of how crowded the harbor is before you leave you might want to take a look at the Avalon web cam here: http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/avalon/webcam3.php I just checked it and the main harbor looks pretty full, with a number of boats out in Descanso.
By the way: The conditions in Descanso are often less than desirable. It is prone to a nasty swell and surge running through there. Inside the harbor is much more protected, which is why almost everyone accepts a Descanso mooring only as a last resort. But in the busier weeks of summer sometimes you are lucky to get even a spot in Descanso, particularly on weekends.
Lausd is back in school so summer is officially over. You shouldn't have a problem getting in the harbor. Last time I was there I saw people landing their dinks a Descanso without any hassles, especially without a motor. If you are moored at Discanso and spending time on the beach there you can always swim out to the boat. I did that several times, much easier than walking all the way back t the dinghy dock. The shuttle is about $5 per person one way. So if you have 4 it's going to be $40 round trip. If you have passengers with limited mobility the shuttle may be the way to go. It is easier setting into and out of the boat when using the shuttle.
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