Hello from SoCal

[Nick_Hill]

I just bought my first sailboat (1978 MacGregor 25) and thought id join the forum and say hello.

I started sailing a few months ago on a 14ft Capri, 2 friends, a small motorless lake and a case of beer. Since then I have fallen in love with sailing and had to buy my own sailboat.

Feel free to offer up any tips or suggestions. Id also love to meet up with some of you who are from the SoCal area. My boat is currently in Kings for the next couple of days and then its going to Alamitos.

 

[Brian D]

Alamitos? Isn't that in Northern California? LOL

Welcome aboard, and hope you have a grand time here.

 

[Phoebe 1]

Welcome.

 

[Steve Dion]

Brian:

He is currently in the Redondo Beach area (not far from the LA Airport), he will be moving to Alamitos Bay area which is basically Long Beach.

http://maps.google.com/maps?oe=utf-...local_group&ct=image&resnum=4&ved=0CDUQtgMwAw

 

[Brian D]

Steve, anything north of Camp Pendleton is Northern California for me. LOL

 

[Old Skool Neil]

Nick,
Welcome to the fold. I recently hauled out at King Harbor and the sail around Palos Verdes is great. Keep your eyes open for dolphin, we encountered 4 distinct pods.

Brian,
Have you yet enjoyed the excitement of entering Oceanside Harbor with a wicked swell running?

 

[Nick_Hill]

All set in Alamitos. I think im going to like this area much better than Kings.

The sail/motor around PV was awesome. We saw two schools of dolphin. The first school swam with us for about a minute doing all sorts of crazy maneuvers. It was pretty cool since Ive never seen a dolphin up close.

How common is this encounter with dolphin?

 

[Rick D]

It's pretty common in San Pedro bay to see Dolphin and the occasional whale. Used to see a lot of blue shark around PV, but they've been fished out. For you a sail to Newport Beach is easy and fun. And, the anchorage is free. Same for Dana Point, if you wanted to make a weekend of it. And, don't forget a sail to Cabrillo. BTW, one activity a lot of us enjoy here is to do a day sail and then anchor behind Island White for a while. Guests especially enjoy this. Isthmus Harbor, Catalina, is an easy day sail and with your boat, you can tie to the string line which usually has space available. Finally, check out Little Ships Fleet and Seal Beach Yacht Club too. Enjoy!

 

[CaptDon01]

Nick....Lucky you! Alamitos Bay! I sail with two groups of trailer sailors in SoCal. One is the SoCal Potters,(Goggle their web site). Fun group. I've sailed out of Alamitos Bay several times, twice crossing to Catalina Island with the SoCal Potters. I also sail with the Venture Yacht Club in San Diego. Lot's of Mac owners, along with all kinds of trailer sailboats. Look up their web site also. Also, there is a HUGH trailer sailboat convention at Lake Havasu in February. Google havasumontgomerys for information on that event also.

Don

 

[Freedom77]

I grew up in SoCal and raced and cruised there for years. Now I'm a desert rat living near Las Vegas. My wife, God rest her, and I used to drop anchor in Avalon every year for a week and do nothing but relax. Emerald Bay past the Isthmus is also cool but no services. I took a week and harbor hopped from Santa Barbara to San Diego on Summer. Down wind all the way. SoCal has some great Marinas and terrific sailing. Just get some experience under your belt before you attempt any long distances. Also join a sailing club or cruising club. Greatest people on earth. Fair winds, Old Salt...

 

[Freedom77]

P.S. from Old Salt. Mission Bay and San Diego Harbor are fantastic....