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Nagivator · 03-08-2015, 08:28

Great advice above. Only things I would add is for your wife or whoever is on the bow. Be sure to wear gloves, maybe good fitting canvas gardening gloves with rubber-gripper palms. Older mooring wands shed fiberglass slivers that you don't want to handle with bare hands. Then after you hook up your bow cleat and are about to "walk sprightly down the deck toward the stern," make sure you're going to lead the sand line OUTSIDE your boat's side rails, so that after you cleat off the stern line, that stinky slimy barnacle encrusted sand line can sink back down, not stay on your deck. Second time, you'll be pros. Have fun!

Moontide · 03-08-2015, 09:05

Couple of add ons to OldFrog75 info.

1. Person running the string line might want to wear heavy gloves. This time of year not too bad, but there still might be a few barnacles on the sand line.

2. I prefer to use a mooring line to loop through the mooring lines. Makes it much easier when leaving as you don't have to try and take the load off the line to release it. Especially true when there may be some weather coming up. Sometimes easier to rig this line after you are on the mooring as putting it on will delay how fast you can start pulling up the sand line.

3. When you are ready to leave, check to make sure the sand line is not hung up on a prop and then watch the stern line sink to make sure it is clear of the props.

4. Take money for the ice cream shop, and if looling for adult beverages think about getting your wiki whacked at Luau Larry's (to the left when coming off the green pier).

Enjoy.

Blaine · 03-08-2015, 10:10

Hey Todd, congratulations and enjoy! When you make first contact with the harbor patrol, by all means tell them your circumstances -- new boat, first time picking up a mooring and first visit to Avalon harbor. They'll appreciate it as they'd rather escort you to your mooring and help you get hooked up than to have you try by yourself in a crowded harbor on a busy Friday afternoon. The harbor patrolmen appreciate tips and if they provide this service to you that would be a fine idea. Then you can sit back and enjoy watching those who come in around you who weren't that smart

The other suggestion is to use a long painter (tie line) for your dingy at the dingy dock, as you may have to climb over several dingys to access the dock.

Compactorguy · 03-08-2015, 11:00

Just watch the weather like the above comments state. Go to the Visit Catalina site sited above for mooring instructions and things to do. Avalon has lots to do for your first time there. If you scuba dive hit the under water park at the Casino or snorkel at Lovers Cove. There are lots of restaurants and a small Vons store. Bringing your own food can save lots of money. We spent about $400 last Avalon trip eating out with our kids for a weekend according to my wife that's not including the Marlin Room bill

Two Harbors should be your next trip up destination. Its nothing like Avalon its totally laid back.

Have Fun

mstrebe · 03-08-2015, 14:05

Just a few more bits of advice:

1) Be sure you have two anchors and rodes if you need to anchor out. It's all fore/aft anchoring, even around the back-side.

2) Don't try to hold onto the sand-line against a strong current if you can't get it looped. I pulled my shoulder pretty bad thinking I could hold a 15,000 lb. boat against a 3 knot current. Be quick, but if you don't make it, just back off and try again if need-be.

3) you don't have a keel, but for those that do, the sand line can get rapped around keels, rudders, and props if you're not careful. Took a bit of work to free our keel after this happened once in two harbors, and it's not something you can just dive and do.

4) Have everything you need with you. There are very few marine supplies available on the island. Just thinking of the fiddly bits we've needed and couldn't find: Fuses, filters, phone chargers and cables, lighters, 12VDC CLA splitter, ice-cube trays, etc. Don't worry about food or drink, they have plenty of that.

Rough Magic · 03-08-2015, 23:36

All good advice. I would add: old pair of gloves for handling the sand line, and be aware of where that sand line is around your props. You know how I know that

)

OldFrog75 · 04-08-2015, 04:50

I was at the dock yesterday and happened to walk by a Sea Ray (the OP's boat) and the way the deck was configured I'd say I wouldn't have a clue how one would get the sand line back to the stern cleat to attach the stern hauser. Might need that boat hook after all.

Let us know how that works out.