Re: Planning a Catalina trip.

Gordon (hlg@pacbell.net)
Wed, 20 Jan 1999 15:24:07 -0800


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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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> It sounds like there are at least 3 or 4 people interested in a
>Catalina trip. What we need is a coordinator. Do we really want to go to
>Avalon in the summer. Even on a weekday its a zoo. There are several other
>sites that might be better. Ralph mentioned emerald Bay and there is also
>the Isthmus. the Isthmus has a tie line that the potters could easily tie up
>to. It also has a store, a restaurant. It even has a band on Saturday night
>outside. I am very interested in going. I have not been yet but I would
>coordinate the trip if no one is interested. the best bet would be someone
>thats been there in a sailboat and knows the best places to anchor.
>
>
> Dave Lang, P14 hull#554
>(chrdvd@gte.net)

Dave-

I'm still interested, but I don't feel qualified to coordinate. I'm 400
miles away and haven't been to Catalina since 1970 (and always on someone
else's boat). There would be some safety in numbers, but anyone going
should be prepared to be self-sufficient. It's easy and usual for the boats
to get spread out. In the (unlikely?) event of heavy weather, everybody
would have their hands full and may or may not be able to help another boat
in difficulty. We should try to keep together, but that can be frustrating
for the faster boats, considering the distance we have to travel before
dark.

I think we should plan primarily for the P15s. It will be an easier trip
for the P19s so they could leave later or arrive sooner. If they leave a
little later they could watch out for any P15s with problems.

I crossed Monterey Bay (20 mi) with one other P14, and we became separated
too far to be sure of getting assistance from each other if we had needed
it.

>From what you say, the Isthmus sounds like the best bet for P14/15s if it
isn't too windy there. From the little I remember, Emerald Bay is a nice
anchorage, but I don't know if you can go ashore. I didn't mind staying on
board a 28- or 36-footer, but a P14/15 is pretty confining.

Is the campground at the Isthmus reasonably close in case someone wants to
camp on shore?

I have some half-baked plans to do the Oregon coast bays and lakes in
August, which would conflict with an August Catalina sail, but it looks
like July wouldn't work for you. Someone will just have to pick a date,
then everyone can make his own decision.

I need to do some work on my 32-year-old boat, to make sure it's seaworthy,
and rebuild my trailer for the long haul, both of which I need to do anyway
if I go to Oregon.

I don't remember which Northern California Potterers have taken P15s to
Catalina, but there are some. They must not be on the mail list though.
Roland Boepple in your area (Redondo Beach?) could connect you with other
Southern California Potterers who have made the trip. I think his address
and/or phone number is on the WWP web page.

One thing to check out would be which of the ramps will allow overnight
parking and has sufficient security for cars and trailers. Our group had
their trailers stripped some years ago - at Long Beach if I remember
correctly. (I wasn't there.)

>From sunrise to sunset (at my latitude) is 14.5 hr on July 15 or 13.5 hr on
August 20. That would appear to be enough daylight if we leave early, all
goes well, we navigate accurately, and we average more than 2.2 kn for 30
nmi. (I don't have a chart yet; what is the actual mileage to the Isthmus?)
We can probably all motor at 4 kn and sail at 3 or better. But motors and
winds have been known to fail us. Best have nav lights, just in case, and
maybe motor out before sunrise.

Harry Gordon
P14 #234, Manatee
Mountain View, CA