New Sailor in San Diego

LuzSD · Aug 17, 2010

welcome to SD! You will find that as you are in a marina for a while, you become close to those with similar boats and interests. Then trips get planned and things just evolve. Give it the time it will take to learn, meet, and observe. It will be a very fun time. Be careful of the entrance into that bay, I hear it is a bit tricky. We are out of SD bay with a boat there and Dana Point. A really nice weekend trip would be to both of those places, and Oceanside too. have fun!

Joe · Aug 17, 2010

I'm in Marina Village, Mission Bay.. you can contact me through the forum... just click on my name. I will tell you that there is very little sailing for a boat your size INSIDE the bay... but... the ocean is only a mile out the channel and it is way more interesting to sail there.

As far as Catalina goes, you have a whole year to decide about that... but a good overnight trip is down around Pt Loma, up into SD Bay, past Downtown and under the big bridge to Glorietta Bay (Coronado) where there is a free, 72 hour anchorage near the Yacht Club marina.. Very nice.. you can dinghy in and walk to the funky, hip village or join the tourists at the Hotel Del. Trip is about 20 miles... another 5 miles down to Chula Vista.

koolfrog · Aug 17, 2010

I am slipped in Mission Bay as well....If you ever need someone to go out with you to show you " the ropes " or just for comfort , send me an email...
koolfrog@rocketmail.com

Jeanfrancois

wufibugs · Aug 17, 2010

Sailing is a mystery. Easy as long as everything goes well. After a couple of lessons, and lots of delays in Marina del Rey, I just decided to go for it and single hand the boat down from there to San Diego in May. Lots of overcast between LA and Long Beach. Some large swells, between LA and Dana Point. And arriving near dark at the entrance to Point Loma. Enough light to make out the kelp beds, and a long haul into Chula Vista. The lesson: Choose your weather carefully, but don't be afraid to get out there.

dscribner · Aug 17, 2010

Chewy,

Don't be a scruffy nurf-herder! Get out there! We bought out Lancer 25 and hit the Atlantic, never having hoisted a sail . . .ever! Check out the Lancer link in my post "What am I doing wrong?"

wonkodsane · Aug 17, 2010

Chewy,

Take someone with some experience under their belt with you. It can turn a harrowing experience into an enjoyable one. Also, take a class, it is worth it to meet other sailors and learn the terminology if nothing else. (Lower insurance rates don't hurt.)

Joe · Aug 18, 2010

chewy352 said:
Thanks for the reply’s everyone. My thinking was that the ocean would be too rough during the winter for a new sailor. Is it not down here? Depending on how well my trip from Ventura goes I may or may not seek out someone to sail with either on their boat or mine a couple of times. As far as our trip to Catalina having a friendly boat nearby would be a huge comfort. We are seriously considering the Sea World marina so there are not a ton of other boats nearby especially sailboats.

I highly recommend you don't berth at seaworld... it's way too noisy!!! and you have that much farther to get out to the ocean.. which is where you will be sailing very quickly. You can see the fireworks from everywhere... otherwise you have to listen to the sounds of he whale, waterski, dolphin shows all day long... forget it. move over to Marina Village.. there are plenty of 25 foot slips... I counted 10 vacant on my dock alone yesterday(it's the economy)..The parking is very convenient and you're on the quieter side of the basin. There area a couple of deli's where you can get food and beverages... Rates are competitive with anywhere in so cal. Plus.. the people are nice... lots of sailboats...

I'm available to give you a hand as will be most of your neighbors... but if you're at sea world... well that's more of a power boat marina and you know how those guys are... way too busy talking about fishing and spending big bucks.

By the way...... winter is the best time in San Diego.. honestly.. the only problem with winter is the shorter days! As far as rough water, well that is limited to a few times a year and it isn't really season related. Just ask Sumner....

dscribner · Aug 18, 2010

Chewy,

Yes, listen to Wonko'.

Our first experience was on the Atlantic on a pretty stiff day and I had not yet sailed so I was shy of physical experience. But, my son and I had taken a USCG certification course and had been studying every sail book and magazine that we could find. A smart move to go out on the bay first thing . . . not so much. But with all the prepwork and class work, I think it was more gutsy than stupid.

First of all, take a class on seamanship if you haven't had one. That will teach you the laws, procedures and courtesies of the water. Take a sailing class if you have any money left. They're about $500 back east and take about 5 weeks for ASA certification. And get a sign that says "WILL SAIL FOR BEER" and sit on the dock. You'll sail, learn a lot and meet some great people. Oh, and in case anybody took offense, drinking and boating is the same as drinking and driving in Maine, and probably all states, and bears the same penalties. A car accident might cause 50K in damages. A boating accident could easily be 500k in environmental alone . . .

Brian D · Aug 18, 2010

San Diego is a great place to sail. You are right around the corner to the Bay. You should do excursions to and from the bay as much as you can. Just avoid the kelp beds.

I and my Lancer 27 are in Oceanside. However, I berthed in Chula Vista for awhile then the Naval Submarine Base. That was between 2005 and 2008. I love the bay, but I also love being close to either Dana Point to the north or Mission Bay to the south.

Enjoy. You will find other L25 owners there so no need to worry.