In early Feb 2004, I plan to pull my Hunter 26 (swing keel, water ballast) to San Diego (the lakes around Arizona are all drying up!!) and spend two or three weeks on the water. I want to sail around Sad Diego Bay and Mission Bay. If the weather looks good, I might set sail for Catalina. Can anyone tell me a good launching site (preferably one that can sling my boat into the water) and a place to leave my van and trailer parked while I'm gone? Also, I'll need charts for the area. Any suggestions on which charts to get and where to get them would be appreciated. My e-mail is: jimschaff@myexcel.com Thanks Jim Schaff s/v Savannah
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Great Location
There is plenty to do for a couple of weeks. Here is an informative website on San Diego sailing, locations, marinas, launch ramps, etc. As for a local chart, just swing by a local chandlery like West Marine. They will have a local chart for you. There are lots of great anchorages, so bring ground tackle and good wine. Have a great time. I imagine the launching facilities have truck/trailer storage, but better to listen to someone who has used them. Rick D.
There is plenty to do for a couple of weeks. Here is an informative website on San Diego sailing, locations, marinas, launch ramps, etc. As for a local chart, just swing by a local chandlery like West Marine. They will have a local chart for you. There are lots of great anchorages, so bring ground tackle and good wine. Have a great time. I imagine the launching facilities have truck/trailer storage, but better to listen to someone who has used them. Rick D.
Shelter Island
Shelter Island has a very good launch ramp right into San Diego Bay, it is near the SDYC and the mouth of the bay is not far away. Dave 'Simply Magic' 1994 H23.5
Shelter Island has a very good launch ramp right into San Diego Bay, it is near the SDYC and the mouth of the bay is not far away. Dave 'Simply Magic' 1994 H23.5
Local Knowledge
Both bays have excellent facilities for launching.....in Mission Bay it's Dana Landing, and in San Diego Bay it's Shelter Island public boat launch. If you are going to Catalina, you can either trailer up to Newport Harbor, or San Pedro and the trip is MUCH easier than slogging directly into the swell and wind from San Diego. From San Diego, you are looking at 60+ miles at 4 knots at best, whereas from Newport it's only about 28 miles. If you want to sail the entire trip, I'd suggest harbor hopping from Mission Bay to Oceanside (6 hrs) then from Oceanside to Newport is another 6 hrs....then make the crossing to Catalina. That will be a much nicer trip. Trust me, slogging 64 miles with the wind on your nose and directly into the NW swell is no picnic.....oh yea, there's another knot or two of current that runs north to south to hold you up even more. Do the coastal cruise...San Diego, Oceanside, Newport, Catalina, then from Catalina you can run directly downwind into Oceanside on the trip back to San Diego. Hope this helps.... Brad
Both bays have excellent facilities for launching.....in Mission Bay it's Dana Landing, and in San Diego Bay it's Shelter Island public boat launch. If you are going to Catalina, you can either trailer up to Newport Harbor, or San Pedro and the trip is MUCH easier than slogging directly into the swell and wind from San Diego. From San Diego, you are looking at 60+ miles at 4 knots at best, whereas from Newport it's only about 28 miles. If you want to sail the entire trip, I'd suggest harbor hopping from Mission Bay to Oceanside (6 hrs) then from Oceanside to Newport is another 6 hrs....then make the crossing to Catalina. That will be a much nicer trip. Trust me, slogging 64 miles with the wind on your nose and directly into the NW swell is no picnic.....oh yea, there's another knot or two of current that runs north to south to hold you up even more. Do the coastal cruise...San Diego, Oceanside, Newport, Catalina, then from Catalina you can run directly downwind into Oceanside on the trip back to San Diego. Hope this helps.... Brad
Thanks to Brad, Dave and Rick
Hey Guys, Thanks for all the info and advice. You sure gave me a good starting point and a lot of good tips on planning this trip. Thanks a bunch! Jim Schaff s/v Savannah
Hey Guys, Thanks for all the info and advice. You sure gave me a good starting point and a lot of good tips on planning this trip. Thanks a bunch! Jim Schaff s/v Savannah
So. Cal. sailing
Jim; If it were me, I'd launch the boat in Santa Barbara, then take the trailer down to San Diego, take the train back to Santa Barbara then harbor-hop down to SD with stops at Catalina. No upwind work required. Be advised, SD has numerous restrictions on anchoring anywhere in the bay.
Jim; If it were me, I'd launch the boat in Santa Barbara, then take the trailer down to San Diego, take the train back to Santa Barbara then harbor-hop down to SD with stops at Catalina. No upwind work required. Be advised, SD has numerous restrictions on anchoring anywhere in the bay.
Charts for Pacific Coast
I've found that "Charlie's Charts of the Pacific Coast" although not for Navigation, seem to be a great source for finding information on the harbors of the west coast from WA to Mexico. They aren't to expensive either, think I paid around 32 bucks at Seafaring. Send an email to Carrie one of the "office slaves" (as she calls herself), she will give you the info you need.
I've found that "Charlie's Charts of the Pacific Coast" although not for Navigation, seem to be a great source for finding information on the harbors of the west coast from WA to Mexico. They aren't to expensive either, think I paid around 32 bucks at Seafaring. Send an email to Carrie one of the "office slaves" (as she calls herself), she will give you the info you need.
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