Thinking abt stopping off at DP on my way back to SD from Avalon. Looks like distance. Anybody?
Thanks. Bob.
Thanks. Bob.
Sailing time for Dana Pt. to San Diego?
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When I brought Windmistress home from Playa del Rey, overnighted in Dana Point. I think it's about 60 nautical miles between there and Point Loma. It was a virtually windless day, so motorsailed at a very leisurely pace. That trip was the first time I ever had a sheet in my hand or raised a mainsail. Did it solo so there was no one around to see how stupidly I tried to trim the sails. Probably took me 13 hours. It's a beautiful sail, though only a sadist would have enjoyed watching both of my tries to enter SD bay in the dark with no GPS and scant ability to read a chart.
Took 6+ hours from Oceanside to Mission Bay on March 17th of this year. Several years ago it too 10+ hours from Oceanside to Chula Vista. So I would imagine even if under power the whole time, it will be a good 10+ hours. Don't forget to stay well clear of the kelp beds.
Check the chart and stay sea side of the buoys. I believe G-3 is the closest you should approach before turning in to the channel. (Double check, I don't have my charts here). Note that when I did this last month, there was still a lot of drifting kelp the last mile or so. Also, note that it will be very tempting to turn in prematurely; you will feel you are going far past the turning point.
If they kick you off the can at 0900 then you will get into DP in the threeish time frame depending on the wind. That will give you the afternoon to fool around. The anchorage is crowded so take note. Your trip downhill from DP to Bouy 4, if you go rhumb and motor, will take you around 7 to 8 to get to Point Loma. Or you could do the 7 hour leg from Avalon to Oceanside, get a quest slip and a key, have a hot shower and after sleeping in, be facing around 6 hours to the middle of San Diego bay!
Either way since you are a local, always better to not take on the San Diego approaches at night unless necessary. Just so much kelp as you know.
Cheers
Either way since you are a local, always better to not take on the San Diego approaches at night unless necessary. Just so much kelp as you know.
Cheers
Approaching San Diego at Night
I usually sail directly back to SD from Catalina. I've done a few nighttime approaches. Yes they are very difficult. The city lights absolutely drown out the buoy lights and other vessel lights. very nerve racking. Thank god for chart plotters/GPS and radar.
My first time coming south from Catalina about 14 years ago,I made the mistake of turning left into SD too soon and hit the kelp bed. It was pitch black, thick marine layer, and all of a sudden my boat just stopped! Kinda freaky when you're out on a very dark ocean. I had to back out with the motor, when I figured out my mistake.
Lesson learned!
I usually sail directly back to SD from Catalina. I've done a few nighttime approaches. Yes they are very difficult. The city lights absolutely drown out the buoy lights and other vessel lights. very nerve racking. Thank god for chart plotters/GPS and radar.
My first time coming south from Catalina about 14 years ago,I made the mistake of turning left into SD too soon and hit the kelp bed. It was pitch black, thick marine layer, and all of a sudden my boat just stopped! Kinda freaky when you're out on a very dark ocean. I had to back out with the motor, when I figured out my mistake.
Lesson learned!
I usually stay well off of Point Loma, about 1~2 miles minimum to avoid the kelp beds. From Oceanside, I head out about 7 miles and then turn to head to San Diego Bay. That puts me well off the kelp beds.
Kelp beds are ID on the charts, but not very well. Do a Google on San Diego Kelp Beds and look for diving and/or fishing sites. They have the beds well defined for diving/fishing purposes.
I second the sail to Oceanside and get a transient slip.
Kelp beds are ID on the charts, but not very well. Do a Google on San Diego Kelp Beds and look for diving and/or fishing sites. They have the beds well defined for diving/fishing purposes.
I second the sail to Oceanside and get a transient slip.
Bryan and Rick have it way over me in experience and accuracy.
I made the night passage only that one time, and gave the beds a monstrously wide berth. To make my approach, I cleverly followed the bright red light that turns out to be on the North Island Naval Air Station. This, will keep you clear of the beds, but also, I learned the hard way, leads you into the shallows west of Coronado. Having decided it would be good to have had my boat longer than a week before running it aground, being floodlit by military helicopters and boarded by harbor patrol, I opted to hang an inelegant U-turn and go all the way out for another approach. As a matter of dumb luck, my second try turned out to be the proper approach, which takes you surprisingly close to Point Loma.
As we all know, because of the large military presence in SD Bay, it is a fascinating trip all the way down to the South Bay. And if offers a great opportunity to be warned off by almost every branch of the armed services.
I made the night passage only that one time, and gave the beds a monstrously wide berth. To make my approach, I cleverly followed the bright red light that turns out to be on the North Island Naval Air Station. This, will keep you clear of the beds, but also, I learned the hard way, leads you into the shallows west of Coronado. Having decided it would be good to have had my boat longer than a week before running it aground, being floodlit by military helicopters and boarded by harbor patrol, I opted to hang an inelegant U-turn and go all the way out for another approach. As a matter of dumb luck, my second try turned out to be the proper approach, which takes you surprisingly close to Point Loma.
As we all know, because of the large military presence in SD Bay, it is a fascinating trip all the way down to the South Bay. And if offers a great opportunity to be warned off by almost every branch of the armed services.
OBTW
... a local hazard is the submerged breakwater Zuniga on the east side of the channel. All the locals know it, but I know two boats from out of the area that hit it after races. Important to stay away during the day, take special care at night or low visibility.
... a local hazard is the submerged breakwater Zuniga on the east side of the channel. All the locals know it, but I know two boats from out of the area that hit it after races. Important to stay away during the day, take special care at night or low visibility.
Re: OBTW
Yeah our first time (and last if we can help it) was an overheat alarm, a flashlight on the exhaust only to see that we were trailing 14nm's of kelp. Should have did the math when boat speed dropped off! And for the Zuniga jetty, as Rick D mentioned, keep your wits about you on the approach. DO NOT EVER cross the line of that jetty from the light into the bay..... period dot or you will be another statistic.
Good luck Robert and enjoy your time on your fine vessel.
I actually have a waypoint that is called "clear of kelp". Conservative but accurate. Problem is all the OTHER kelp that is dragged around by the stink potters.
Tis what it is.
Yeah our first time (and last if we can help it) was an overheat alarm, a flashlight on the exhaust only to see that we were trailing 14nm's of kelp. Should have did the math when boat speed dropped off! And for the Zuniga jetty, as Rick D mentioned, keep your wits about you on the approach. DO NOT EVER cross the line of that jetty from the light into the bay..... period dot or you will be another statistic.
Good luck Robert and enjoy your time on your fine vessel.
I actually have a waypoint that is called "clear of kelp". Conservative but accurate. Problem is all the OTHER kelp that is dragged around by the stink potters.
Tis what it is.
Kelp Beds.
Brian. That fishing chart of the Pt Loma kelp beds is spot on. I sail often out and around them to go up to Mariners Cove in Mission, or just out for a long ocean day sail. Buoy #3 is always my turning point to miss most of it. Still have to dodge the occasional patty.
Brian. That fishing chart of the Pt Loma kelp beds is spot on. I sail often out and around them to go up to Mariners Cove in Mission, or just out for a long ocean day sail. Buoy #3 is always my turning point to miss most of it. Still have to dodge the occasional patty.
This is the exact question I've been wondering about. We're purchasing a boat in Dana Point, and then need to sail it back to Chula Vista. Since it will be our first trip with the boat, I want to plan conservatively. Maybe stops at Oceanside and Mission Bay?
I don't see much reason to stop in MB unless you have another reason for doing so. I think from Ballast Point to CV marina is 2 hours and the buoys are well lit. The only hassle is that neither marina in CV is well lit at night so if you're not familiar with your slip, finding it could be tricky.
I would skip Oceanside...... make it two day trip. Leave DP early and make the 40 nm run down to Mission Bay, planning to arrive late afternoon .. anchoring in Mariner's cove... easy in and out to the ocean. The leg from MB to Chula Vista is around 24 nm.... depending on where you make your turn into SD harbor..... so give yourself 5 hours or so and enjoy the afternoon sail... once you get past Shelter Island you may be able to practice the spinnaker in the bay's flat water as you run down toward the coronado bridge.
If you do stop in Oceanside try to get there before the harbor patrol office closes at 5, otherwise you got to radio for the officer. Once they arrive you must both go across the street to the dark locked office to check-in.
Usually no big deal but one night I had to wait while they rescued a powerboat from the breakwater. After towing it to the ramp they spent an hour inspecting it and writing citations before getting around to me.
They do take reservations but only by mail or in person because they need a copy of boat papers. If you are a yacht club member the Oceanside Yacht club has always been very helpful to visitors.
Usually no big deal but one night I had to wait while they rescued a powerboat from the breakwater. After towing it to the ramp they spent an hour inspecting it and writing citations before getting around to me.
They do take reservations but only by mail or in person because they need a copy of boat papers. If you are a yacht club member the Oceanside Yacht club has always been very helpful to visitors.
Regardless of what you do, the key is to stay out of the kelp beds. So, I would recommend setting the following waypoints:
This waypoint will keep you well off of La Jolla and away from the kelp beds
32° 53.965' N
117° 31.878' W
And this waypoint is the entrance to San Diego bay.
32° 37.332' N
117° 14.751' W
Stay to seaward of both waypoints and you should miss the kelp beds. Be on the lookout, however, after passing the first point for stray kelp clusters.
This waypoint will keep you well off of La Jolla and away from the kelp beds
32° 53.965' N
117° 31.878' W
And this waypoint is the entrance to San Diego bay.
32° 37.332' N
117° 14.751' W
Stay to seaward of both waypoints and you should miss the kelp beds. Be on the lookout, however, after passing the first point for stray kelp clusters.
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