Re: SANTA CATALINA

SolarFry@aol.com
Mon, 18 Jan 1999 10:53:05 EST


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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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I've copied your messages so you can keep track. Read on below"

SF

In a message dated 99-01-17 00:20:37 EST, you write:

<< Subj: Re: SANTA CATALINA
Date: 99-01-17 00:20:37 EST
From: hlg@pacbell.net (Gordon)
To: wwpotter@tscnet.com
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SolarFry wrote:

>I forgot to add why I liked Avalon and did not like it...
>
>Avalon is a small town with a laid back attitude during week. Very
restfull...
>They have a lot of nice small restaurants (that turn into wild bars on
>weekends) and in them you can view pics of harbor in all its angry madness
>when wind blows from North East. I found pics very interesting and a little
>frightening. Also in Avalon you could rent golf carts and tool island roads
>and visit west side (little harbor/two harbors/airport). You could checkout
>wild mountain goats and bisons (Buffalo), visit Casino (at the time a
museum),
>Wrigley mansion and snorkel in relatively warm waters (68 - 75 degrees in
>summer) or swim at their small beach. I loved the madness that engulfed this
>sleepy town of Avalon during weekends. I also liked ability to meet a lot of
>sailorettes at bars in town. But then I have habit of talking to total
>strangers. It takes a lot for me to dislike any town... I tend to wish I
could
>live in every town I visit... Every single one...

I liked Avalon too. Would there be any place to park a Potter 15 (mooring,
slip, or beach) at Avalon? Is there a ramp or hoist where the boat could
be pulled out if necessary?
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
SF responds:

A long time ago a Seaplane service used to land at Lovers Cove. They had a
ramp there to take plane out of the water. The ramp may still be there but
the Seaplane she is kaput. I believe the Power Co owns the ramp.

There are many small coves protected from ocean that have enough beach to land
with a small boat. Do not remain at these small coves overnight as you would
be trapped in an emergency

The moorings at Avalon used to be privaterly owned. You would call
harbormaster on VHF 16 and he would locate one for you. You tie to a mooring
and pay your rental fee to harbormaster ashore or on the spot. A small ferry
made rounds of harbor picking up passengers to go ashore and returning them
from shore. You can anchor North of the breakwater close to Casino. Or at
Lovers Cove. I always preferred to tie up to a mooring in the harbor as
motion is easier.

At times I used to visit Catalina you could tie a dinghy up to 16 feet to
dinghy dock off both sides of pier. However, they would all be scrunched
together and get bashed around. The only time I ever used a dinghy, I used a
Sevylor 2 man raft with oars. We desinflated the thing, threw it under a bench
and left it there for three days preferring to use the ferry service at $1.50
for round trip (you get to meet fellow sailors). It might be much more by now.
When I used Boston Whaler 15' (BW15) as a tender, we would use cushions to
keep it from getting all scratched up at dink dock... I preferred leaving the
BW15 tied to back of Col22 and using the ferry service.

There is a beach North of Casino but it was private at time. Some kinda club
had a death grip on it. We snorkeled to it and they were nasty about our
standing on their dirt... They do not like it if you land at the Avalon Bay
beach as it is a swimming beach only. However, there used to be a small yacht
club right next to the beach...

<><><><><><><><><><><><><
>I found sailing out of Marina Del Rey to Catalina on a schedule to be a pain
>it the derriere... It got to a point I would sail to Long Beach, pick up my
>girlfriend and companions, layover for a day and visit Naples restaurants
and
>bars then sail to Catalina... That North flowing current does add a lot of
>time to the sail to Catalina.

Please explain what the problem was sailing from Marina del Rey. Does it
take longer because of the greater distance, or is the distance compensated
for by the more favorable winds? Ralph suggested that the return sail to
del Rey might be "interesting." I take that to mean there could be more
than enough wind returning in the afternoon, especially for a P15.

Do you agree that late July and August are the best times to go to Catalina?

As I recall, the only launch ramp on the south bay is at Marina del Rey.
Along the south coast there are ramps at Long Beach, Alamitos Bay, and
Huntington Harbor.
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SF responds to above:

The problems departing from Marina Del Rey (MDR) were:
1. distance, about 15 miles more than from LB
2. wind, none worthwhile until after 11 AM.
3. current, flowing North about 2 mph (against you)
4. Ship channels, you cross all of them and more.

I would not recommed sailing out of MDR to CI. You would have to motor out at
full speed from 5 AM till about 11 then motorsail until Noon, Sail until about
3 or 4, motor sail some more until 6 or 7 and motor to Catalina till about 9
or 10. You would arrive late evening, after all the moorings have been
taken...

If you go to CI from MDR, you will get there late and not enjoy the place
before it's time to return.

I went to Catalina even in January, whenever there was an "indian summer". I
really cannot tell you which date is best. I do know that October to December
I did NOT go to Catalina. I did daysail around Santa Monica from Oct. to Dec
but only short trips. Maybe due to business obligations or weather. If you are
thinking of the Channel Islands (CI), I never did go there as everytime any of
my Marina neighbors came back from CI they had gear failures, boat damage and
sometimes injuries. I developed a strong desire not to sail North of Malibu...

Leave early out of Long Beach Harbor and find a secure place to park your
vehicles.

You may be able to launch at Alamitos or Naples beach... But, I don't know
where you could park the cars for 50 hours at a time. There has to be a
place...

I would suggest you go early with another vessel and keep each other close by.
When you get to Cat you may be able to share a mooring as your vessels are
small. Check the weather channel/News...

<><><><<><><><><><><><><>
>When the NorthEast wind picks up it is best to go to Little Harbor on west
>side of island as waves in Avalon and two harbors can reach twelve to
fifteen
>feet. You want to either tie it and leave or bring it to the other side.

Isn't the northeast wind relatively rare and usually forecast dependably?
Or is there a likelihood of being caught by surprise? Is that the strong,
warm Santa Ana wind that blows in from the desert? I wouldn't consider
sailing if there were any possibility of a Santa Ana. Gusts of 50 mph are
common. And as you indicate, there is then no shelter on the mainland side
of Catalina. I did more flying than sailing in Southern California, and I
remember the prevailing winds were westerly.
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SF responds:

Wind direction depends on season, time of day and location... I used to get
wind East to West till about 4PM then West to East as soon as I got close to
the point (LB).

Santa Ana winds are the "NorthEasters" Once a while you get one unannounced.
Or maybe it was cause I never checked weatherman, just took off.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

I've been to Catalina five times - three sailboats, the white steamer, and
an airplane - and in each case the conditions were pleasant on the mainland
side.

<><><><><><><><><><><>
NOTE:
I would suggest you call the Harbormaster at Catalina Island and verify
availability of moorings/fees/etc.

I used to own a 15' Boston Whaler as a dink for Col 22. Just so we could water
ski around Catalina/Lake Mead/Santa Monica/etc. When the C22 was laid up for
bottom paint or cleaning (about 6 weeks, twice a year) we would pack 4 persons
with tents, coolers, stuff . Launch by Catalina Ferrys (Long Beach) and follow
ferry till we could see Catalina island. Then run flat out to Little Harbor
(LH) where ranger Bob would tell us we could not stay because the place was
reserved. We would just ignore him until he left, set up our tents and crash.
He would then come back at night and collect the rent as we would be the only
people in the place... Next day we would ski to Avalon tie at dinghy dock and
cruise the town..This went on for about 10 years... I imagine he is still
trying to convince people not to stay there...

It is a long way around the island to LH. I would not go there in a small
sailboat unless I was seeking quiet. The waves do get nasty once in a while at
LH beach...

I hope I have been helpfull

SF
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Harry Gordon
P14 #234, Manatee
Mountain View, CA

>Harry,
>
> I am also interested is sailing my p-15 to Catalina. I live in Long
>Beach CA. Maybe we could put together a trip. Let me know if you are
>interested.
>
> David Lang p-15 Hull#554 (e-mail chrdvd@gte.net )

David:

I'm interested. From the posts so far, it looks like mid-July might be a
good time. My boat and trailer will need some work first, so it is too
early for me to commit.

Where would you suggest launching from, and how long would you want to
stay? If we can't go ashore, overnight on my old P14 will probably be more
than long enough for me. My inclination would be to leave the mainland
early one day to ensure arrival before dark, motor out until the wind comes
up, sail to Avalon or an anchorage, and then return the next day. Those
with (more comfortable) Potter 19s would probably be able to enjoy a longer
stay. I could go on either a weekend or weekday. Possibly we could find
moorings or slips at Avalon if we went on a weekday. More research is
needed.

Any other Potter 15 sailors interested? Potter 19s?

Harry Gordon
P14 #234, Manatee
Mountain View, CA