We had real fun trying to find those who had already arrived. Hundreds off
boats at moorings all over. Hailing I was able to reach Mike and he told
me which mooring they were on so I could get one close. I thought both the
other 19's had arrived but it turned out that we were the second boat in.
Then Ralph Came in with Mike Brownee in his p-15. Where were Dave and
Bob? We waited, making radio checks on the half hour. Unfortuneately, we
did not know it but they had changed frequencies! We finally raised them
at 6:00 p.m. and decided to wait for them for dinner. Going ashore (2$
per person on top of $15 mooring fee) we found the bar to be a teeny bopper
paradise. Quite a scene. We had dinner, toasting our achievement with
Champagne. I had the steamed clams, which (as Mr. Know-it-all predicted)
were too salty.
The next morning we sailed down to Emerald bay and anchored off of the
boyscout beach. We had a private little cove and you could see 20 ft.
down. The snorkling was great and the bottom held both our anchors well
(sand bottom, one Horizon claw (12 lb) and one small (8 lb) Danforth)
We brought a dingy of the same type that both Dave and Ralph Had. A
Seveylor EX - 66. It turned out to be a great thing for going between
boats, going to shore, etc. We went for a hike on the island. Tremendous
views. We came back and I went for a swim. Watching barnicles on the
rocks I realized I had made a terrible mistake! I drove for a day and
sailed for two to get here and now we had to leave the next day! I should
have taken a whole week off and stayed longer! It was really an
exceptional setting, and I was very jealous of Ralph who was going to sail
all the way around.
In the late afternoon Evan decided everyone must be bored and suggested we
invite them all over for a game of hearts! I said I didn't mind. He went
out in the rubber raft and invited Mike, Dave and Ralph over. Next thing I
know we have five people seated in the cockpit around the hatch-table.
Evan sat on the ice chest in forward of the gas can, dad and the three
guests on the seats, and I am standing in the companion way, setting out
snacks and acting as bartender. We played poker for imaginary stakes
including large chunks of Catalina. Needless to say some very large and
expensive sailboats traded hands that afternoon. Is this some sort of
record for adult males playing cards on a p-19?
All went well until about 1:00 a.m. when I woke to light bouncing all
around in the Cabin. I stuck my head out the hatch and there is Dave,
rowing around in is little raft, shining a very powerful light this way and
that. Turns out he had started to hit a rock as the tide went out. I
thought he was nuts or doing some sort of secret tinkering on his boat!
The next day we left for Marina Del Rey at about 9:00. We motor sailed
until well out in the strait. Then went to sails only. Had difficulty
steering to our waypoints due to severe leeway I attribute to the strong
swell from the SW, as well as a current going east. We left at the same
time as a family of three on a Catalina 22 (Son-T) from Arizona. We
Arrived at the same time as they did, about 4:00 p.m. Wind was very light
and we motored on and off as did they. Could have used the Asym. Spin or a
Genoa on this trip.
All in all we did great. No major sunburn, had a great time diving, and
the car made it back. My only regret was that we didn't stay longer. In
fact, as we were going into Marina Del Rey I realized that I hadn't really
got enough sailing either! - Eric
P.S. We ran the radio all day, all four days, used the cabin light
liberally and left the anchor light on for one night all night - the
battery held out no problem.
Eric Zilbert
Davis "not by the sea" California
P19 #621 "Riptide"