We decided to take our inaugural cruise from Marina del Rey to Avalon Harbor at Catalina Island on our newly arrived Hunter 430, Macchapuchhre, from the 91-day yacht club in Ensenada. We left on Saturday morning with calm winds and flat seas all the way there. We had to motor the entire way, felt like the boat ride at Disneyland. Enjoyed a great dinner at Avalon and retired to bed on the boat at our mooring in Avalon Harbor. At about 1:00 a.m. the "washing machine" in the harbor began as a southeast storm swell started churning up the harbor. By 6:00 a.m and a sleepless night of rolling and pitching on the mooring, we were ready to leave for home. It had rained most of the night and was not looking very promising as we slipped our mooring lines and headed out to sea. As soon as we left the harbor entrance we encountered 8 foot swells with 25-30 knot winds. We put our main sail at the second reef point and set out into the soupy seas. As soon as we got 10 minutes away from the harbor, the 8 foot swells turned into 8 to 10 foot breaking waves coming up from the south. Luckily we were were heading north, so we had following seas the entire way home. Having never sailed in this rough of waters, this was a real learning experience. Machhapuchhre handled the the swells and waves like it was a experienced surfer. As a swell would come from behind, we would surf down the front of the wave to end up in a hole with another wave builiding behind us. But the maneuverability of the boat was such that it was easy to turn the stern to so we could just surf another wave over to the next hole. This went on for 3 hours. Even with such difficult maneuvers, the responsiveness of the boat in the water made this experience enjoyable and exhilirating. We made it home from Avalon to Marina del Rey in about 4 hours. The last hour was in Santa Monica Bay where the swells were a mere 4 feet (it's all a matter of perspective), a cake walk compared to the channel's 8 to 10 footers. I walk away from this experience with an enormous feeling of confidence in the seaworthiness of our Hunter 430. The ease of the making our way in and around those waves in the ocean was very impressive. It was like dancing with a great partner. Thanks to Hunter for designing a great boat that handles so well in rough seas.
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4 hours? Really?
That would mean an average boat speed of about 10 knots - are you sure about this? It is 40 nautical miles from the Avalon breakwater light to the MDR south detached breakwater light. MC
That would mean an average boat speed of about 10 knots - are you sure about this? It is 40 nautical miles from the Avalon breakwater light to the MDR south detached breakwater light. MC
10 Knot Average = Exceptional but Believable
If the bottom is clean, the propellor folding/feathering, the sails new, the cockpit devoid of big dodgers& biminis, the boat lightly and properly loaded, the sailplan well balanced and the wind and waves just right, you can do that with a 43 ft Hunter. In May 1995 we sailed our Legend 43 from Ensenada to Guadeloupe (to take the offshore route to Cabo san Lucas). We had a 20-25 knot beam wind (which, of course, gives a better turn of speed than a following wind) and averaged 10 knots for at least four hours with a relatively new, single-reefed main and a clean bottom, even though Rivendel II was loaded for cruising the Sea of Cortez and had quite a bit of extra windage around the cockpit area. Mon; did we have a blast!! Is a 10 knot average unusual for a 43 ft Hunter? Sure. Impossible? No. Flying Dutchman
If the bottom is clean, the propellor folding/feathering, the sails new, the cockpit devoid of big dodgers& biminis, the boat lightly and properly loaded, the sailplan well balanced and the wind and waves just right, you can do that with a 43 ft Hunter. In May 1995 we sailed our Legend 43 from Ensenada to Guadeloupe (to take the offshore route to Cabo san Lucas). We had a 20-25 knot beam wind (which, of course, gives a better turn of speed than a following wind) and averaged 10 knots for at least four hours with a relatively new, single-reefed main and a clean bottom, even though Rivendel II was loaded for cruising the Sea of Cortez and had quite a bit of extra windage around the cockpit area. Mon; did we have a blast!! Is a 10 knot average unusual for a 43 ft Hunter? Sure. Impossible? No. Flying Dutchman
"F" TICKET RIDE
Lucy Lee used that expression about an Easter trip from Catalina a couple of years ago. Mickey and I had an experience last year leaving the Isthmus going to Long Beach. We had 15+ following seas and 35+ knot winds. We averaged 9 knots and saw quite a few 10.5 knots. Mickey wanted to video it, but I had rubber legs and couldn't go down below to get the camera. We share this experience when anyone questions whether we feel confident in our 40.5 Hunter. She did any excellent job. Our bimini and dodger were white instead of navy from the salt spray, but no other battle scars.
Lucy Lee used that expression about an Easter trip from Catalina a couple of years ago. Mickey and I had an experience last year leaving the Isthmus going to Long Beach. We had 15+ following seas and 35+ knot winds. We averaged 9 knots and saw quite a few 10.5 knots. Mickey wanted to video it, but I had rubber legs and couldn't go down below to get the camera. We share this experience when anyone questions whether we feel confident in our 40.5 Hunter. She did any excellent job. Our bimini and dodger were white instead of navy from the salt spray, but no other battle scars.
Yes, Really!
Yes, 4 hours really. We left at 8:00 a.m when the Cat Express pulled out for Long Beach from Avalon and we arrived at the south entrance at noon. The wind was still blowing 25 in Santa Monica Bay. As someone said, our bottom was clean so perhaps that's why the good time, I am sure it wasn't our skill as sailors!. We are still amazed at the trip even two days after.
Yes, 4 hours really. We left at 8:00 a.m when the Cat Express pulled out for Long Beach from Avalon and we arrived at the south entrance at noon. The wind was still blowing 25 in Santa Monica Bay. As someone said, our bottom was clean so perhaps that's why the good time, I am sure it wasn't our skill as sailors!. We are still amazed at the trip even two days after.
Watched you leave!
Peter we watched you leave Avalon. We were on a mooring ball right behind you. Valiant 32, named Earendil, with green whale stripe and green canvas. It was quite a weekend. We left Avalon Monday morning. Wind was the same as Sunday. Unfortunately, we had 75 miles of upwind sailing to make San Diego. We didn't have the time to sail through the night and still be conherent for work this morning so we sailed to Dana Point and rented a car. It was some great sailing. We sailed all but one hour with a double reefed main and staysail. Highest wind speed we saw was 39 knots. I was a refreshing change from the typical So Cal zephyrs.
Peter we watched you leave Avalon. We were on a mooring ball right behind you. Valiant 32, named Earendil, with green whale stripe and green canvas. It was quite a weekend. We left Avalon Monday morning. Wind was the same as Sunday. Unfortunately, we had 75 miles of upwind sailing to make San Diego. We didn't have the time to sail through the night and still be conherent for work this morning so we sailed to Dana Point and rented a car. It was some great sailing. We sailed all but one hour with a double reefed main and staysail. Highest wind speed we saw was 39 knots. I was a refreshing change from the typical So Cal zephyrs.
Chalupas
Macchapuchhre ... isn't that the name of the little hairless dog that sell chalupas for Taco Bell?
Macchapuchhre ... isn't that the name of the little hairless dog that sell chalupas for Taco Bell?
Well, ok...
I suppose it is possible, and if you say it was 4 hours, then it must have been.. I guess I'm just too accustomed to the light, fluky winds around the area. My best time on my H45 for this route, with the chute up, was about 4:45. Lucky you! MC
I suppose it is possible, and if you say it was 4 hours, then it must have been.. I guess I'm just too accustomed to the light, fluky winds around the area. My best time on my H45 for this route, with the chute up, was about 4:45. Lucky you! MC
Tides.
Which way was the tide running? Or doesn't the tide have an effect in your part of the world. Here in NE we can get a strong lift or slow you to a dead crawl to your mark....
Which way was the tide running? Or doesn't the tide have an effect in your part of the world. Here in NE we can get a strong lift or slow you to a dead crawl to your mark....
Typical Tides
Typically the current runs from Northwest to Southeast in this area. That would be counter to Peter course. However, with a strong SE I would think the surface current would be eliminated if not turned around. It is 1-2 knots at most on calm days. Come to think of it. I didn't notice any significant current on the way over, while last fall the current was ripping.
Typically the current runs from Northwest to Southeast in this area. That would be counter to Peter course. However, with a strong SE I would think the surface current would be eliminated if not turned around. It is 1-2 knots at most on calm days. Come to think of it. I didn't notice any significant current on the way over, while last fall the current was ripping.
Was more impressed with the boat itself...
I find it funny that everyone is focusing on our time when what I was really trying to say was how impressed I was with the handling capabilities of the boat. That was the important thing that I got out of the experience. I now have a greater appreciation for the capability of the boat in rough seas and how well it seems to have been designed when faced with such seas. We are always getting funny looks/comments about the name. Machhapuchhre is Nepalese for "Fish's Tail" and it is a sacred mountain in Nepal. Truly a beautiful place far from Taco Bell (re: Chalupas)
And to Justin Wolfe, were you the boat who used a water taxi behind us that evening? If so, we did see you there. It sounds like you had not a fun time this past weekend either. Glad you got to Dana Point safely. Was it true that Catalina had a storm surge on Sunday that went over the sea wall and into some shops? Thought I heard that on the news. And if so, how was it in the harbor? Probably not too nice.
I find it funny that everyone is focusing on our time when what I was really trying to say was how impressed I was with the handling capabilities of the boat. That was the important thing that I got out of the experience. I now have a greater appreciation for the capability of the boat in rough seas and how well it seems to have been designed when faced with such seas. We are always getting funny looks/comments about the name. Machhapuchhre is Nepalese for "Fish's Tail" and it is a sacred mountain in Nepal. Truly a beautiful place far from Taco Bell (re: Chalupas)
And to Justin Wolfe, were you the boat who used a water taxi behind us that evening? If so, we did see you there. It sounds like you had not a fun time this past weekend either. Glad you got to Dana Point safely. Was it true that Catalina had a storm surge on Sunday that went over the sea wall and into some shops? Thought I heard that on the news. And if so, how was it in the harbor? Probably not too nice.Sun AM was the worst
Peter, It didn't get any worse in the harbor after you left. In the late evening it was better, but by Monday morning it was rough again. Waves were definitely crashing over the seawall at high tide. I got a few pictures of spray well over 50' high and the little building directly astern of your boat was completely covered by drenching spray. The fuel dock and the dinghy dock were taken apart/damaged. No, we used our dinghy all weekend. We were actually 1 or 2 moorings closer to the green pier and 1 row behind you. It was fun actually. Sure beat the typical boring motor up and back.
Peter, It didn't get any worse in the harbor after you left. In the late evening it was better, but by Monday morning it was rough again. Waves were definitely crashing over the seawall at high tide. I got a few pictures of spray well over 50' high and the little building directly astern of your boat was completely covered by drenching spray. The fuel dock and the dinghy dock were taken apart/damaged. No, we used our dinghy all weekend. We were actually 1 or 2 moorings closer to the green pier and 1 row behind you. It was fun actually. Sure beat the typical boring motor up and back.
Cool name
And my apologizes for insulting any of our little friends of the canine hairless variety.
And my apologizes for insulting any of our little friends of the canine hairless variety.
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