I'm planning my first jaunt over to Catalina from San Diego in May. I know its usually uphill the whole 70 miles and most make the passage at night when (normally) the wind and waves have settled down. But I've heard some leave SD at 2am, some at 8pm, some during sunrise. My intial thought was to leave 7-8pm, have dinner on board and arrive 6-7am and take a nice snooze once I grab a mooring. Can someone give me some advice? Thanks, Bob F H376
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Bob, the wx is not 'canned'...
...and so you need to fold in the f'cast for your departure with your departure plans. What others do 'should' be a function of their planned SOA, their destination (Cat Harbor? Avalon? elsewhere on the back side?) and therefore the distance involved, and weather to be expected, and how much you're willing to motor/motorsail. I'd be surprised if one thumb-rule fits any two sailors. Maybe it sounds a bit 'nautical' to shove off and have dinner at sea, and we've surely enjoyed many a nice meal when underway, but why you'd prefer that sequence isn't clear to me. I'd recommend a nice meal before departure, which allows you to clean up and stow, followed by light snacks and hot drinks as needed for the colder hours, and worry about the next 'feeding' once you arrive. That surely would be my recommendation for folks new to the game. Jack
...and so you need to fold in the f'cast for your departure with your departure plans. What others do 'should' be a function of their planned SOA, their destination (Cat Harbor? Avalon? elsewhere on the back side?) and therefore the distance involved, and weather to be expected, and how much you're willing to motor/motorsail. I'd be surprised if one thumb-rule fits any two sailors. Maybe it sounds a bit 'nautical' to shove off and have dinner at sea, and we've surely enjoyed many a nice meal when underway, but why you'd prefer that sequence isn't clear to me. I'd recommend a nice meal before departure, which allows you to clean up and stow, followed by light snacks and hot drinks as needed for the colder hours, and worry about the next 'feeding' once you arrive. That surely would be my recommendation for folks new to the game. Jack
Schedules for Sailing Are Bad News
Jack's in FL. You're in CA. How come he better understands the inconsistencies of having your trip "planned' to the Nth degree? Wrong idea, Bob, you just don't get it. Stu
Jack's in FL. You're in CA. How come he better understands the inconsistencies of having your trip "planned' to the Nth degree? Wrong idea, Bob, you just don't get it. Stu
SD/Catalina Island
One thing to consider is that the harbor patrols in Avalon run their moorings at 8:00 AM and the boats depart by 9:00. What that means is you have a better shot at arriving in Avalon at 0900 to get an inside mooring. You meet the red patrol boat in the fairway, out from the pier, just outside the moorings. Avalon controls the moorings in front of Descanso bay also. Once you get to White's cove, you are in Catalina Mooring Service territory and they are a little more flexible on departure times, and moorings are easier to come by. It is also an excellent anchorage which Avalon definitely isn't. You can reach the harbor patrol for the non-Avalon moorings on channel 09. As far as departure times, it depends on your speed under power. I would figure an 0900 arrival (or later). Last time I did it (in a 32), I left at 0200 and arrived White's at 1530. It's uphill, but you can have a nice sail back. Enjoy. Rick D.
One thing to consider is that the harbor patrols in Avalon run their moorings at 8:00 AM and the boats depart by 9:00. What that means is you have a better shot at arriving in Avalon at 0900 to get an inside mooring. You meet the red patrol boat in the fairway, out from the pier, just outside the moorings. Avalon controls the moorings in front of Descanso bay also. Once you get to White's cove, you are in Catalina Mooring Service territory and they are a little more flexible on departure times, and moorings are easier to come by. It is also an excellent anchorage which Avalon definitely isn't. You can reach the harbor patrol for the non-Avalon moorings on channel 09. As far as departure times, it depends on your speed under power. I would figure an 0900 arrival (or later). Last time I did it (in a 32), I left at 0200 and arrived White's at 1530. It's uphill, but you can have a nice sail back. Enjoy. Rick D.
Catalina
I too live in San Diego and have made several runs to Catalina. We have gone overnight but mostly during the day. Instead of doing it all in one 12 hour trip (depending upon your speed), we have found it best to go to Oceanside harbor (760-435-4000), get a slip near the Jolly Roger if possible, and take a leisurely 4-6 hour motor sail over to Avalon in the morning. You can even leave at 3:00 am if you wish. Just follow the ferries! You always know you are heading in the right direction. Getting a mooring is no cinch deal. Watch a southerly wind forecast for most anchorages on the east side of the Island (Avalon side). It makes for a very rolly night. You can get an excellent book on Catalina at Scotty's on Shelter Island. Please contact me at pugh1@cox.net if you would like more information.
I too live in San Diego and have made several runs to Catalina. We have gone overnight but mostly during the day. Instead of doing it all in one 12 hour trip (depending upon your speed), we have found it best to go to Oceanside harbor (760-435-4000), get a slip near the Jolly Roger if possible, and take a leisurely 4-6 hour motor sail over to Avalon in the morning. You can even leave at 3:00 am if you wish. Just follow the ferries! You always know you are heading in the right direction. Getting a mooring is no cinch deal. Watch a southerly wind forecast for most anchorages on the east side of the Island (Avalon side). It makes for a very rolly night. You can get an excellent book on Catalina at Scotty's on Shelter Island. Please contact me at pugh1@cox.net if you would like more information.
Stu.....
....you can kill a discussion faster than anyone I've ever seen on a message board. It seems that when it comes to basic cordiality - you just don't get it.
....you can kill a discussion faster than anyone I've ever seen on a message board. It seems that when it comes to basic cordiality - you just don't get it.
Stu....
I do very much understand the problems with planning to the "n" degree. Weather, sea conditions, tides can all effect it. However, because of USEFUL information from folks like Rick & Bob, I now know not to arrive before 900 and I can make a stop in Oceanside which I've sailed up to a couple times, leaving me with a short hop to catalina.
I do very much understand the problems with planning to the "n" degree. Weather, sea conditions, tides can all effect it. However, because of USEFUL information from folks like Rick & Bob, I now know not to arrive before 900 and I can make a stop in Oceanside which I've sailed up to a couple times, leaving me with a short hop to catalina.
Morning Fog?
Well, the smallest boat I've ever been in and out of SD on was 560 ft., and most recently was 750 ft. ... but, the thing we always worried about or expected to have to plan around was the morning fog around Point Loma. It can be damn thick and throw off a plan by a few hours at the least. So, leaving before or after the main 'fog window' is not a bad thing to consider. As far as planning goes, I consider it very important - when it comes to 'recreational' boating the important part of a plan is the fact that by making it, you go through the process of the trip and thereby review the requirements and possible drawbacks involved. Done properly, a plan should relieve stress and anxiety - actually expecting to stick to, or worse, demanding to stick to, the plan will add stress - accept the old adage that says "A plan is just a starting point from which to deviate". Whether you realize it or not, a well made plan will tell you what your absolute requirements are, and how far from the plan you can deviate without missing one of those absolutes. - AndyS
Well, the smallest boat I've ever been in and out of SD on was 560 ft., and most recently was 750 ft. ... but, the thing we always worried about or expected to have to plan around was the morning fog around Point Loma. It can be damn thick and throw off a plan by a few hours at the least. So, leaving before or after the main 'fog window' is not a bad thing to consider. As far as planning goes, I consider it very important - when it comes to 'recreational' boating the important part of a plan is the fact that by making it, you go through the process of the trip and thereby review the requirements and possible drawbacks involved. Done properly, a plan should relieve stress and anxiety - actually expecting to stick to, or worse, demanding to stick to, the plan will add stress - accept the old adage that says "A plan is just a starting point from which to deviate". Whether you realize it or not, a well made plan will tell you what your absolute requirements are, and how far from the plan you can deviate without missing one of those absolutes. - AndyS
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