I'm interested in this subject also, so please everyone post your answers
to the general list.
I sailed on a Venture 21 to Catalina many years ago (1970), but the Venture
was a much faster boat. We departed from Huntington Harbor through Anaheim
Bay and sailed to Avalon, where (at that time) we were able to get a
mooring. The next day we motored down to the Isthmus and sailed back from
there. Don't remember what time of year it was. In my Potter 14, I would be
inclined to go in June-July, just to get the maximum daylight, and I would
motor out before sunrise. But I don't know what time of year has the best
weather. I would not go if there was a possibility of Santa Ana winds or
any offshore wind. A P15 could probably get under the bridge that is
between Huntington Harbor and Anaheim, but a P19 could have a problem. We
left the mast down on the Venture until we cleared the bridge.
There have been some group Potter 15 sails to Catalina. The former Southern
California club used to do it yearly, and the Potter Yachters have gone a
couple of times. I believe they sailed out of Long Beach, but on one
occasion their boat trailers were vandalized there. I would be interested
to hear from anyone who has sailed there from Marina del Rey. That would be
a greater distance, but perhaps it offers more favorable winds?
On my Venture 21 trip, heading out, both the skipper and I were seasick
from the ground swells. The strongest winds were in mid-channel. I remember
blowing streaks of foam, which, according to the Beaufort scale, would
indicate Near Gale, i.e., 28-33 knots, but it was probably less than that
because the unreefed (and reputedly tender) Venture seemed to handle it
okay, and I don't recall being frightened, but it was exciting sailing.
Maybe I was too inexperienced to know better, and I considered the
21-footer to be a "big boat" compared to my recently acquired Potter 14.
The channel is relatively sheltered from the normal onshore winds by the
island, but it is a real ocean passage to the extent that you'll probably
be out of sight of land for part of the trip, so you'll need to navigate.
It's a big island. but it's possible to miss it if it is dark or the
visibility is poor. I had an old NovaTech direction finding radio tuned to
an AM station on Avalon, and that was reassuring. A GPS would make it
easy. I don't have any knowledge of the currents, but they didn't seem to
be a factor on that trip, as our compass course got us there without any
adjustment for current. And since the island is mountainous you can see it
from quite a ways out if there is normal visibility. You can even see it
from the mainland on a very clear day (but that is also likely to be a very
windy day). The last part of the run home was exhilarating, surfing down
the ground swells.
I understand the chances of getting a mooring in Avalon now are not very
good, and I think most visitors sail directly to one of the many other
anchorages along the mainland side of the island. I've sailed over as a
passenger on larger boats a couple of time. Emerald Bay was one place we
anchored. Catalina is mountainous, the shoreline is steep, and the water
can be quite deep along the shore, so take plenty of rode. I remember a
friend of mine trying to anchor and running out all his rode and still not
finding bottom, so you have to pick the right spot.
The Isthmus is a very low section of the island between the two mountainous
humps, and the ocean wind is unimpeded there. We were blithely motoring
along the lee shore, sails up and sheeted in, when we came abeam of the
Isthmus, and the Venture was knocked over suddenly when we hit the
jetstream blowing over the low valley. We didn't actually capsize, but it
sure got our attention!
It's quite beautiful along the mainland side of the island, and the water
is crystal clear - great for snorkeling or scuba diving. There are kelp
beds and many large goldfish called Garibaldi. On the way over you will
probably see flying fish. The island itself has been kept relatively
unspoiled. There are restrictions on landing, but I don't remember the
extent of the restrictions. We never went ashore except at Avalon.
I believe West Marine has a book about Catalina sailing.
I would like to make the trip in the near future, possibly this year. My
son wants to go with me. My wife doesn't want me to go, although we once
flew there in our Ercoupe. Landing on that mountaintop airport is quite an
experience too. If you undershoot you smash into a cliff. If you overshoot
you go down the other side of the mountain. And the runway was rounded
horizontally so as you approached touchdown you couldn't see the far end.
My limited knowledge of Catalina is all from 1970 and the 60's, so some
things have changed, no doubt.
Harry Gordon
P14 #234, Manatee
Mountain View, CA