>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 a 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?
>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.
>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.
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.
Harry Gordon
P14 #234, Manatee
Mountain View, CA