I've bought a Hunter 31 and will be sailing it from Marina Del REy to San Diego next week. Can anyone give advice or cautions on shoals, hazards, weather, etc.? I would appreciate any feedback.
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Gary C
Santa Annas
The thing I'd be most concerned about, would be the Santa Annas. The Santa Anna winds can get very strong (up to 60 knots, I've heard) and seem to occur from now til the end of the year. Keep an eye on the weather channel...they usually can tell a day or two ahead of time. Gary
The thing I'd be most concerned about, would be the Santa Annas. The Santa Anna winds can get very strong (up to 60 knots, I've heard) and seem to occur from now til the end of the year. Keep an eye on the weather channel...they usually can tell a day or two ahead of time. Gary
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John Richard
You should have a good sail
As mentioned, absent the "Santa Ana" winds that come out of the east to southeast, the prevailing westerly wind direction will give you a comfortable reach down south. Be mindful of the shipping lanes. We were out a couple of weeks ago and saw a few Humpback whales. So keep an eye out. They're fun to see. You should also have plenty of porpoise to keep you company. Watch out for kelp beds off La Jolla. Try to stay in water deeper than 120 feet. Check your charts carefully. Give plenty of room rounding Point Loma. Try to come in off the 5 to 6 bouys. The Santa Ana winds will come during very clear and dry weather. The rule of thumb is, if you can clearly see Catalina Island from the mainland, then be careful. Have a great sail. John Richard s/v Jack's Place
As mentioned, absent the "Santa Ana" winds that come out of the east to southeast, the prevailing westerly wind direction will give you a comfortable reach down south. Be mindful of the shipping lanes. We were out a couple of weeks ago and saw a few Humpback whales. So keep an eye out. They're fun to see. You should also have plenty of porpoise to keep you company. Watch out for kelp beds off La Jolla. Try to stay in water deeper than 120 feet. Check your charts carefully. Give plenty of room rounding Point Loma. Try to come in off the 5 to 6 bouys. The Santa Ana winds will come during very clear and dry weather. The rule of thumb is, if you can clearly see Catalina Island from the mainland, then be careful. Have a great sail. John Richard s/v Jack's Place
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Miles
Nice trip...
That should be a nice trip, and at least you're going the right direction. Might actually be able to do some sailing instead of motoring! There do seem to be a lot of whales and dolphins out especially north of Pt. La Jolla so keep your eyes out, they are really neat. I agree with the advice on entering San Diego bay, DON'T try to cut in too soon, the kelp is really dense. If you're not going to go straight through I'd recommend either Dana Point or Oceanside as nice stopovers. The USCG is doing random check on small boats entering the bay now so you might be boarded for a quick check. Also be sure to give the Navy ships a 100 yard security zone and just stay outside the marked channel if a big ship is coming through, there's plenty of depth most places. Have a fun trip!
That should be a nice trip, and at least you're going the right direction. Might actually be able to do some sailing instead of motoring! There do seem to be a lot of whales and dolphins out especially north of Pt. La Jolla so keep your eyes out, they are really neat. I agree with the advice on entering San Diego bay, DON'T try to cut in too soon, the kelp is really dense. If you're not going to go straight through I'd recommend either Dana Point or Oceanside as nice stopovers. The USCG is doing random check on small boats entering the bay now so you might be boarded for a quick check. Also be sure to give the Navy ships a 100 yard security zone and just stay outside the marked channel if a big ship is coming through, there's plenty of depth most places. Have a fun trip!
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Dick McKee
That is a great trip..
We leave Sunday to go the other way up to the Channel Islands for 2 weeks. The only additional word of caution I would add is to keep a eye out for the NOAA bouy of La Jolla. It can sneak up on you very quickly if you not paying attention.. Dick McKee S/V Constellation
We leave Sunday to go the other way up to the Channel Islands for 2 weeks. The only additional word of caution I would add is to keep a eye out for the NOAA bouy of La Jolla. It can sneak up on you very quickly if you not paying attention.. Dick McKee S/V Constellation
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Terry Goodin
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Roy Mosteller
San Diego
No one has mentioned the shoals in SD Harbor. If you are entering the Shelter Island area make sure you stay between the entrance marker and the piers. If you take the marker to port you will probably go aground. I also suggest staying a little way off North Island in the channel as there are a couple of shoals near shore but if you look for the shoal markers you should see them. Lastly, watch out for the underwater rock breakwater at Zuniga Point which marks the east side of the SD Harbor entrance. NEVER try to cut across this area until you clear the seaward end of the breakwater. As long as you are in the entrance channel you will have no problems and in the harbor you can even come very close to Ballast Point with 30 feet of water. Hope you enjoy San Diego as it is a great place to be boating.
No one has mentioned the shoals in SD Harbor. If you are entering the Shelter Island area make sure you stay between the entrance marker and the piers. If you take the marker to port you will probably go aground. I also suggest staying a little way off North Island in the channel as there are a couple of shoals near shore but if you look for the shoal markers you should see them. Lastly, watch out for the underwater rock breakwater at Zuniga Point which marks the east side of the SD Harbor entrance. NEVER try to cut across this area until you clear the seaward end of the breakwater. As long as you are in the entrance channel you will have no problems and in the harbor you can even come very close to Ballast Point with 30 feet of water. Hope you enjoy San Diego as it is a great place to be boating.
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