<< Ralph:
I presume you launch from the ramp at Huntington Harbor. If so, are you
able to get under the bridge with your mast up? No problem with the P14,
but I wondered about the HMS-18 mast. It is possible to leave the mast down
until you get past the bridge, then anchor and raise the mast. That is what
we did in the Venture 21.
I lived in Westminster, a few miles from there, when I bought my Potter,
back in 1970, and my first sails were all from the Huntington Harbor ramp.
The Navy does enforce their motors-only rule in Anaheim Bay. Motoring into
the bay one time, I tried to surf on a wake, causing my Seagull to swallow
water and die. It refused to restart so I saw no choice but to sail in.
Immediately, from a bull horn on shore, came, "Get that sailboat out of the
harbor!" Fortunately I was able to get a tow from a passing powerboat.
That's a good tip about heading first for Point Fermin instead of Catalina.
I didn't know that, but it sounds reasonable. I was wondering how it would
be to just start from Marina del Rey. It would be further but might be a
more favorable tack to the island.
My concern in a P14 would be to get to Catalina before dark. I used most of
the daylight hours crossing Monterey Bay, which is only about 20 miles.
Harry Gordon
P14 #234, Manatee
Mountain View, CA >>
Harry,
On the HMS-18 I have to lower the mast for the bridge. If the tide is really
high I have to lower it a lot! This forced me to make a system that would work
single handed (the way I often sail). The time before last I got a late start
(around noon) and arrived at the Island at dusk. I anchored in a bit of a
vulnerable spot, but the night was absolutely calm all night, no problem that
time!
I always figured that if I lost power in the Navy area I would simply sail
over to Alimitos bay and deal with problems from there, ie. get motor working
or get trailer to boat there. I took a bit of time re-riggiging my mast inside
the jetty this year and a patrol boat came and told me I wasn't supposed to
stop inside the jetty. Sheesh! So when I returned, in a heck of a blow, I de-
rigged in the minimal lee of the oil rig just offshore of the mouth of the
jetty. There was still a heck of a lot of wind and swell, and I was alone, it
would have been much easier inside the jetty!
I think the sail from Marina del Rey would be a sinch since it would be
practically a beam reach the whole way, the return sail might be interesting.
Ralph Aeschliman
HMS-18 #67 Moby Duck
(and formerly P-15, Hunky Dory)
Flagstaff, AZ