Labor Day weekend off Southern California was exceedingly fine for weather and for cruising, but there were challenges at Santa Cruz Island. We motored, sailed, then motored the 30 n.mi. from Ventura Harbor to Albert's anchorage on the south coast of Santa Cruz Island. Two very nice ketches were already lying at anchor when we arrived and deployed our 45# Plowmaster between them in 30 ft. Albert's offers a nice sand beach with easy landing by dinghy but we did not go ashore. A clear sky illuminated by stars only adorned the evening after sunset. A light, variable wind caressed the boat throughout the night. After a late breakfast next morning we made the short run further west to a truly exquisite anchorage visited here for the first time, Willows. We waited at anchor nearby until a power boat lying in the prime spot departed. We then dropped the hook there and swung on 100 ft of chain throughout the afternoon, evening, and night. Rocks covered with goose barnacles awash in the gentle seas all but surrounded us. A small school of small flying fish sprang from the shoal waters while oyster catchers squawked, darting by us in a hurry to go nowhere! Bright sunlight "rained" down thru pure blue sky; a very "Caribbeanesque" setting but for the cool wind. Along evening that wind began strengthening from the west until reaching into the low 20's, and even though we were protected by towering cliffs the wind regularly found its way to us via a canyon to the north that opened into the anchorage. So, our evening was one of some yawing and mild rolling, but overall not objectionable in view of the beauty of the surroundings! The wind died down by midnight, so the late night was comparatively still.
However, we decided not to stay a second night as the forecast was calling for even stronger winds Sunday. After a late breakfast we weighed and departed that scenic setting under full mainsail into Force 5 conditions arriving from the west under bright sunlight and blue sky, deeply broad reaching toward Yellowbanks where we would anchor the evening. After a couple of gybes to set the final northerly course for the (beam) reach into Yellowbanks we deployed the 120% furling genoa, but reduced it to 110% after a few minutes. Surging to 8.5 kt SOG we sailed into Yellowbanks which was populated with many boats apparently there to ride out the forecast of 25 kt winds that evening. We furled, dropped the hook in 29 ft, and veered out 150 ft of chain. Through the early to late evening we were buffeted by the westerly but were well anchored and secure. Got a good night's sleep! On Labor Day (today), after an early breakfast, we weighed, hoisted main and headsail, and sailed (reaching) the 20 n.mi. to Ventura at 6 to 7 kt on moderate seas, arriving home by 1400. Really sweet--admiral and guests all happy!
However, we decided not to stay a second night as the forecast was calling for even stronger winds Sunday. After a late breakfast we weighed and departed that scenic setting under full mainsail into Force 5 conditions arriving from the west under bright sunlight and blue sky, deeply broad reaching toward Yellowbanks where we would anchor the evening. After a couple of gybes to set the final northerly course for the (beam) reach into Yellowbanks we deployed the 120% furling genoa, but reduced it to 110% after a few minutes. Surging to 8.5 kt SOG we sailed into Yellowbanks which was populated with many boats apparently there to ride out the forecast of 25 kt winds that evening. We furled, dropped the hook in 29 ft, and veered out 150 ft of chain. Through the early to late evening we were buffeted by the westerly but were well anchored and secure. Got a good night's sleep! On Labor Day (today), after an early breakfast, we weighed, hoisted main and headsail, and sailed (reaching) the 20 n.mi. to Ventura at 6 to 7 kt on moderate seas, arriving home by 1400. Really sweet--admiral and guests all happy!
Last edited:
