I am new to sailing So. Cal. (home port MDR) and would like advice for sailing to Catalina Island and for Whale Wathcing. Catalina: I am sailing with young kids, how long is the sail, how long to get a mooring asigned (spring and summer), can you leave your boat unattended, for how long? How many days is best, two nights or three? Whale Watching: how far off-shore, better time of day...? Thanks
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student bag
still there. acorns personalities. I confessed by themselves the boys about for the School
still there. acorns personalities. I confessed by themselves the boys about for the School
take a navigation class
at the risk of sounding harsh, if you can't figure out how long it will take to get your boat there, you're not ready to go there. and just because somebody else said that it took XYZ hours for his boat to get there from MDR doesn't mean that your boat will get there in XYZ hours. some boats are faster than others. any good SoCal cruising guide will answer the rest of your questions. buy one. the experts don't cruise without guides; neither should the newbies.
at the risk of sounding harsh, if you can't figure out how long it will take to get your boat there, you're not ready to go there. and just because somebody else said that it took XYZ hours for his boat to get there from MDR doesn't mean that your boat will get there in XYZ hours. some boats are faster than others. any good SoCal cruising guide will answer the rest of your questions. buy one. the experts don't cruise without guides; neither should the newbies.
Welcome to MDR and SBO.
In spring finding a mooring is not much of a problem. Depending on what you want to do Avalon and Two Harbors are where you will find civilization. During the summer however it is first come first serve. What kind of boat to you have? For me it is about a 6 hour trip, Two Harbors being about 8 miles closer. They have spotted whales about 2 mi. off the PV peninsula. Which is where you will be as a direct shot to Two Harbors. Even if you don't see whales you will see plenty of dolphins. Most of which I have seen about 2/3 of the way through the channel. The wind directions have been favorable every time I've been out. Frank, Link to whale census as spotted off Pt Vincente: http://www.acs-la.org/daily.htm Here is a link to the Catalina guide book. There are directions and suggestions for alternative moorings.
In spring finding a mooring is not much of a problem. Depending on what you want to do Avalon and Two Harbors are where you will find civilization. During the summer however it is first come first serve. What kind of boat to you have? For me it is about a 6 hour trip, Two Harbors being about 8 miles closer. They have spotted whales about 2 mi. off the PV peninsula. Which is where you will be as a direct shot to Two Harbors. Even if you don't see whales you will see plenty of dolphins. Most of which I have seen about 2/3 of the way through the channel. The wind directions have been favorable every time I've been out. Frank, Link to whale census as spotted off Pt Vincente: http://www.acs-la.org/daily.htm Here is a link to the Catalina guide book. There are directions and suggestions for alternative moorings.
why bother...
Thanks for your terse answer, I do have guides, do know how to navigate, know my boat speed, know the distance... JOHN, IF YOU COULDN'T HELP WITH AN ANSWER TO THE QUESTION, WHY WASTE EVERYONES TIME?
Thanks for your terse answer, I do have guides, do know how to navigate, know my boat speed, know the distance... JOHN, IF YOU COULDN'T HELP WITH AN ANSWER TO THE QUESTION, WHY WASTE EVERYONES TIME?
Widget, At the risk of creating an echo in here.
If you know your boat speed, and if you know how to navigate, and if you have a cruising guide, and if you have a chart, why did you phrase your question as you did? Sailing with kids won't affect the time it takes to make the trip. You must decide how much time you have for the trip, two days or three. Does the cruising guide discuss moorings? Does it also discuss security? You CAN leave the boat for as long as you like . Someone else may object and complicate your life. The better your questions are the better will be the answers you get.
If you know your boat speed, and if you know how to navigate, and if you have a cruising guide, and if you have a chart, why did you phrase your question as you did? Sailing with kids won't affect the time it takes to make the trip. You must decide how much time you have for the trip, two days or three. Does the cruising guide discuss moorings? Does it also discuss security? You CAN leave the boat for as long as you like . Someone else may object and complicate your life. The better your questions are the better will be the answers you get.
since you asked...
...I wrote what I wrote because too many folk these days are going to sea under-prepared, and we all end up paying the price. If you're wondering what the best time of day for whale watching is, I'm guessing you haven't spent a whole lot of time out on the ocean. And if a nameless sailor wants to know how long a passage will take and doesn't know enough to specify the length of his waterline, I'm thinking it might not be a good idea for him to take "young kids" out there. Simply put, a competent navigator is never going to ask the types of questions you're asking. Take a class.
...I wrote what I wrote because too many folk these days are going to sea under-prepared, and we all end up paying the price. If you're wondering what the best time of day for whale watching is, I'm guessing you haven't spent a whole lot of time out on the ocean. And if a nameless sailor wants to know how long a passage will take and doesn't know enough to specify the length of his waterline, I'm thinking it might not be a good idea for him to take "young kids" out there. Simply put, a competent navigator is never going to ask the types of questions you're asking. Take a class.
What CaGuy Said...
... in addition to what he said, the harbormaster responds to ch 09 around the island except for Avalon which, if I recall correctly, is ch 12. They usually won't respond until you are in the fairway. So, get a visual on them, and hang out around the first row of moorings and await them to come to you. You can usually see the patrol boat easily, grey in most of the harbors except Avalon where they are red. If you don't see them, call on the appropriate channel. At Isthmus harbor, this time of year, you will likely be asked to pick up the mooring backwards so that you are bow-out. Be careful of weather; watch out for Santa Ana wind conditions brewing. Cat Harbor on the back side is all weather, but add an hour and a half to the six you can expect to Isthmus. If you sail over, stay away from the Palos Verdes peninsula cliffs or you will be in no wind. It's typical to motorsail until you are about clear of the PV bouy and them set sail as the wind clocks around. If you are new to the area, one note of caution: stay seaward of the El Segundo bouy marking the tanker moorings. You will see people sailing or motoring through them; don't. I have seen two boats totalled who hit the pipeline that sometimes floats near the surface. Also, take care to avoid a rock outcropping off the end of PV and one between Cherry Cove and Howlands' Landing in Catalina. Enjoy the trip, the kids will love it, it's addicting. Rick D.
... in addition to what he said, the harbormaster responds to ch 09 around the island except for Avalon which, if I recall correctly, is ch 12. They usually won't respond until you are in the fairway. So, get a visual on them, and hang out around the first row of moorings and await them to come to you. You can usually see the patrol boat easily, grey in most of the harbors except Avalon where they are red. If you don't see them, call on the appropriate channel. At Isthmus harbor, this time of year, you will likely be asked to pick up the mooring backwards so that you are bow-out. Be careful of weather; watch out for Santa Ana wind conditions brewing. Cat Harbor on the back side is all weather, but add an hour and a half to the six you can expect to Isthmus. If you sail over, stay away from the Palos Verdes peninsula cliffs or you will be in no wind. It's typical to motorsail until you are about clear of the PV bouy and them set sail as the wind clocks around. If you are new to the area, one note of caution: stay seaward of the El Segundo bouy marking the tanker moorings. You will see people sailing or motoring through them; don't. I have seen two boats totalled who hit the pipeline that sometimes floats near the surface. Also, take care to avoid a rock outcropping off the end of PV and one between Cherry Cove and Howlands' Landing in Catalina. Enjoy the trip, the kids will love it, it's addicting. Rick D.
I have seen stories and pictures of the damage
caused by the pipeline. I also see sailboats crossing over it all of the time. The buoy is large and clearly marked but it is only marked at the end of the pipeline. There are no warnings between the buoy and the shore. The large tanker mooring are always fun to sail through an there is always a welcoming committee of seals that live there. If you go there first however you will generally have to point too high to reach Catalina or miss the Point. Frank
caused by the pipeline. I also see sailboats crossing over it all of the time. The buoy is large and clearly marked but it is only marked at the end of the pipeline. There are no warnings between the buoy and the shore. The large tanker mooring are always fun to sail through an there is always a welcoming committee of seals that live there. If you go there first however you will generally have to point too high to reach Catalina or miss the Point. Frank
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