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**rebel heart** · 26-08-2012, 09:13

I'm at Two Harbors on Catalina Island, and our little Walker Bay has been reliable as hell for the years we've had it powered by two feather brand collapsible oars.

Came back yesterday and one of our oars was sheered off completely at the blade/post intersection, snapped clean (not at all near the fitting that lets you break them in half). I'm guessing some asshole in a 12' skiff with a 25hp motor and a 2' painter just slammed into the side of it, grabbing a handful of throttle to push through all the boats.

Here's a shot from the dinghy dock yesterday; the place is a friggin zoo.

**minaret** · 26-08-2012, 09:19

Are you saying you tied a dinghy up in that and left the oars sticking out of the oarlocks?

**rebel heart** · 26-08-2012, 09:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by minaret

Are you saying you tied a dinghy up in that and left the oars sticking out of the oarlocks?

Flat against the gunwall at the blades and ends on the forward seat, not "winged out" trying to catch boats.

Astrid · 26-08-2012, 09:23

Looks like a madhouse alright. Sorry to hear about the oar. I can't believe how disrespectful some people can be.

**minaret** · 26-08-2012, 09:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebel heart

Flat against the gunwall at the blades and ends on the forward seat, not "winged out" trying to catch boats.

They must have tried pretty hard to break an oar then. I'd be peeved to, if there's nothing sticking out to catch another boat that means they had to reach in to yours to break an oar. I use aluminum oars on our Walker Bay, or at least the kids do since it's their dinghy.

**rebel heart** · 26-08-2012, 12:07

I saw a couple today with a ~16' Boston Whaler literally plow forward to the dock, pushing dinghies out of the way. This geriatric old lady steps off the flat bow and onto the dock while the 40hp outboard is grinding away.

I'm glad there are people out there enjoying the water but jesus there's a lot of horsepower out there.

bobconnie · 26-08-2012, 13:16

Some folks are just Butts !! sorry bout your oar, we row our dink also but with old wood oars.

but 40 hp on a 16ft whaler is really smaller then most run LOL at least down here !!

**zeehag** · 26-08-2012, 13:26

and folks wonder why i stopped going to catalina in 1990....... was a zoo then and isnt any better now.

sad about your oar---mebbe a wood second set would be a great idea?? i like the wood walker bay oars-i am dreading when i have to give them up and use regular oars.....

**Ex-Calif** · 26-08-2012, 18:10

Go South young man! Catalina weekends have always been a zoo...

**rebel heart** · 26-08-2012, 18:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ex-Calif

Go South young man! Catalina weekends have always been a zoo...

Working on it. Shaking down in socal before Mexico. Wife is pregnant as well so there are some medical tests we need to do in Avalon.

And, there's ice cream here.

**Ex-Calif** · 26-08-2012, 18:36

And salt water taffy!

Forgot about the bun in the oven thing.

My brother was born in Avalon - How cool is that?

**FSMike** · 26-08-2012, 18:36

Rebel -
About a year from now are we going to see a blog entry explaining why you bought a RIB with a 15hp outboard?

**rebel heart** · 26-08-2012, 18:47

Pretty slick being born in Avalon, that's where my wife and I got married.

Regarding the RIB, we might split the difference and get the tubes for our walker bay. Bought a 2.3 honda out here that I dig, and we have a 2 stroke 5hp that is way too much juice and will get sold.

No where to store a RIB really, and with the tubes we get a lot of the advantages.

**colemj** · 26-08-2012, 20:12

My bets are that after a year, or maybe two, cruising, you will find a way to fit a RIB with 15hp engine! Funny how things change...

Sailor g · 26-08-2012, 21:43

Sorry to hear about the problem. There is no excuse to damage other's stuff-and not even to leave a note or wait. It really has been busy this summer- its the first real summer in a few years. Some people are just not very careful. Although Avalon is the REAL zoo. The boats are packed in like sardines. We go once every couple years and remember why we stay away

We were there two weeks ago for a week and on our return saw a nice Walker Bay floating out to see way past Bird Rock. We called Harbor Patrol and they hauled it back. It's amazing to see the number of dingies, kayaks and boards go floating by your mooring.

It's much nicer to go there in winter when less people are there. Thanksgiving is great. I agree it's not even close to anchoring in Mexico but its close & really amazing so close to LA. Hope you have a better experience next time.