Southern California's Cruising Challenge

[Kings Gambit]

Unlike the nice, protected waters of the east coast's estuaries and rivers, or of British Columbia's waters behind Vancouver Island, or of Washington's Puget Sound area, the island cruising venues of Southern California are mostly open to sea on one or more quadrants. There is only one "all weather" island harbor in Southern California--Cat Harbor. To cruise the islands, you have to accept either mooring balls in frequently crowded harbors (e.g., Avalon or Isthmus Cove) or swing on the hook among partially sheltered anchorage venues of the offshore islands, which we prefer. They are not still like the quiet waters behind Florida's barrier islands. They're largely uncomfortable at night when there is more rocking and rolling than during the day. This is what has to be accepted to fully experience one of the finest cruising venues in the US coastal waters and that is what you have to prepare for!! It's worth it!!

 

[pupluv]

Thanks for this.

 

[caguy]

Thanks for this.

We found a pretty nice anchorage at Little Scorpion Bay that was pretty well protected. Most nights at Paradise Cove have also been pretty restful. Last time there was a storm up north that caused a crops swell and a little chop but after setting up a bridle to angle us into the swells it wasn't bad. I slept like a baby. There is not much at Catalina and the good anchorages get taken faster than the moorings.

 

[PaulK]

Keep telling yourself that KG, while I cruise to Penobscot Bay and think of you, sleeping on the cabin sole to keep from rolling out of your bunk. CA is pretty, but you're right about it having few places to rest from whatever the ocean throws at you.

 

[Jackdaw]

Interesting point. And Catalina is very cool.

But it is also the reason that 99% of all sailboats in California are DAYSAILED 99% of the time. People come back and sleep in their slips. I think CA is great, but its 1000 miles of lee shore and almost nowhere to go.

I might only get to sail 7 months of the year, but depending on how long we want to be out; a day, a weekend, a week, a month, there are hundreds of islands, bays, new hidden harbors to visit, and 4 states and two countries to explore.

 

[Kings Gambit]

Interesting point. And Catalina is very cool.

But it is also the reason that 99% of all sailboats in California are DAYSAILED 99% of the time. People come back and sleep in their slips. I think CA is great, but its 1000 miles of lee shore and almost nowhere to go.

I might only get to sail 7 months of the year, but depending on how long we want to be out; a day, a weekend, a week, a month, there are hundreds of islands, bays, new hidden harbors to visit, and 4 states and two countries to explore.

Jackdaw--there are plenty of places to go in Southern California or inside of San Francisco Bay if you do not mind visiting other harbors. I was referring to visiting more remote locales--particularly the islands, of which there are comparatively few places to anchor, yes. But--the day sailing is great (12 mo/yr); and for some that is all that is needed!!

 

[Alan Gomes]

Unlike the nice, protected waters of the east coast's estuaries and rivers, or of British Columbia's waters behind Vancouver Island, or of Washington's Puget Sound area, the island cruising venues of Southern California are mostly open to sea on one or more quadrants. There is only one "all weather" island harbor in Southern California--Cat Harbor. To cruise the islands, you have to accept either mooring balls in frequently crowded harbors (e.g., Avalon or Isthmus Cove) or swing on the hook among partially sheltered anchorage venues of the offshore islands, which we prefer. They are not still like the quiet waters behind Florida's barrier islands. They're largely uncomfortable at night when there is more rocking and rolling than during the day. This is what has to be accepted to fully experience one of the finest cruising venues in the US coastal waters and that is what you have to prepare for!! It's worth it!!

I think you're generally correct about Cat Harbor being "all weather." However, there have been some really hairy conditions in there during some occasional southerly storms, including one in 2001 with near hurricane-force winds. Doug Bombard mentions this one in his book, Between Two Harbors (p. 295). This is far from the norm, however, and Cat Harbor generally provides a very snug anchorage and is a great place to be in the Santa Ana conditions we get in the winter and early spring.

 

[Kings Gambit]

I think you're generally correct about Cat Harbor being "all weather." However, there have been some really hairy conditions in there during some occasional southerly storms, including one in 2001 with near hurricane-force winds. Doug Bombard mentions this one in his book, Between Two Harbors (p. 295). This is far from the norm, however, and Cat Harbor generally provides a very snug anchorage and is a great place to be in the Santa Ana conditions we get in the winter and early spring.

If that sort of storm was forecast, I'd run (35 n.mi.) for home plenty early. I was more thinking about something popping up in the middle of the night or day of moderate intensity lasting several hours or days (e.g., our northwesterly gales). True, we don't get too many surprises like that here; not like the sudden, often intense, weather changes of the east coast. But if I wanted to spend a week on the hook in the Spring or Fall and not be concerned about moving the boat in search of better shelter half way through, that is where I would likely go--to Cat Harbor!

 

[Alan Gomes]

If that sort of storm was forecast, I'd run (35 n.mi.) for home plenty early. I was more thinking about something popping up in the middle of the night or day of moderate intensity lasting several hours or days (e.g., our northwesterly gales). True, we don't get too many surprises like that here; not like the sudden, often intense, weather changes of the east coast. But if I wanted to spend a week on the hook in the Spring or Fall and not be concerned about moving the boat in search of better shelter half way through, that is where I would likely go--to Cat Harbor!

Agreed. Cat Harbor is all around the most protected harbor on the Island. I feel very secure there. The wind can blow hard through the pass but the water stays pretty flat.

 

[Chief RA]

Some of the roughest seas in the world are right here on the Northwest coast. We had lots of large seas this year at and around Bodega Bay Ca. where my boat was moored. Many days with 12' seas and a 16' in late Oct.. I have been out in 12's numerous times and once in 16's. NOT good! Did 6' at 6 sec. this year and hardly could stand and my wife couldn't! Chief

 

[Kings Gambit]

Some of the roughest seas in the world are right here on the Northwest coast. We had lots of large seas this year at and around Bodega Bay Ca. where my boat was moored. Many days with 12' seas and a 16' in late Oct.. I have been out in 12's numerous times and once in 16's. NOT good! Did 6' at 6 sec. this year and hardly could stand and my wife couldn't! Chief

Yeah, 9 to 12' seas are routinely reported for the outer waters near San Nicolas Island; but I never go out there to see for myself (65 n. mi., essentially up-wind from harbor). Only the crazy racers in the offshore series sponsored by LA Yacht Club round San Nicolas Island "for fun" (and frankly, not too many of them lately:neutral. Normally, gale-force winds are there with those seas. Inner waters, rarely 10'; usually 6' or lower; 2' to 3' is common. When a typical winter storm blows through from the NW, 7' - 8'.

 

[Kings Gambit]

Keep telling yourself that KG, while I cruise to Penobscot Bay and think of you, sleeping on the cabin sole to keep from rolling out of your bunk. CA is pretty, but you're right about it having few places to rest from whatever the ocean throws at you.

I cruised some of Penobscot Bay for a week a few years ago on a tall ship out of Camden. I was impressed at how little "influence" was felt from the rolling seas of the Atlantic to our south. I'd love to spend more time there on my own. However, I noticed a lot of barely submerged rocks that might serve as deterrent for a bare-boat charter! Also, it was July and we had two pretty cold mornings!!