The weekend visit to Santa Barbara Island (SBI) went well. Weather forecast for Thursday (April 16) was a weakening Santa Ana condition of warmish offshore winds through Friday morning, gradually shifting to onshore winds in the range of 10 to 20 kt westerlies in the afternoons and evenings through Saturday night, followed by light and variable winds Sunday night, then 10-15 kt westerly on Monday afternoon (April 20). The 47 n.mi. course to SBI from Ventura Harbor is east of south (ca. 155 deg T) so when the westerlies kicked in Friday afternoon at 15 to 20 kt it was a fine sail into Landing Cove! Anchored in 30 ft with two companion boats arriving from Long Beach. Clear blue skies until Monday morning; then 100% cloudiness Monday morning but clearing in the afternoon. NOAA and Passage weather predicted 5 to 6 days in advance pretty much what we experienced at SBI. Protection was good although "wavelets" bending around the north end produced some rolling in the afternoons. The flopper-stopper out for the weekend helped. A 4-day, 3-night vistit to Santa Barbara Island in April is a bit ballsey
, if I do say so myself!! Windeee and seasonally cool it was; but also very pretty and just a fabulous chance to get close up to the wildness of that remote spot. SBI is a National Park, part of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Try it sometime!!
, if I do say so myself!! Windeee and seasonally cool it was; but also very pretty and just a fabulous chance to get close up to the wildness of that remote spot. SBI is a National Park, part of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Try it sometime!!
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