Dana Point to San Francisco in 1/4 tonner

[JAMcDonald]

I'm trying to decide how to get an old quarter tonner (Yamaha 25, with diesel inboard) from Dana Point to San Francisco. Trucking estimated at $2,200. Any advice as to best routes, timing, how far offshore, etc would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Bash]

Welcome to the forum.

This is a pretty good time of year for that trip--better if you have radar if you want to bash up here during the summer. The first time I came up north in the summer I was in fog so thick I vowed never to do that again during the summer months without a radar. Since then I've made the northern bash from there close to a dozen times with radar, and it's always appreciated.

Two weather patterns that are worth looking for: a period of offshore flow, or a southerly resulting from a Mexican storm. Otherwise, it's going to be in your face the whole way, probably with fog just to make things worse.

[donradcliffe]

Getting to Santa Barbara is the easy part. Leave there in the evening to get to Arguello at about 5 am for minimum wind/seas. If the VHF is broadcasting small craft warnings for NW winds, be prepared to wait. If the wind is from the south, keep going, but be prepared to get off the pond when it turns around. Point Sur can be as bad as Conception,but you can wait at Hearst Castle. Once past Sur, sail across Monterey Bay and motor through the Aptos Hole. Leave Santa Cruz about midnite.

[imagine2frolic]

I have found, and it has been repeated here. That the fall is the time to go. I left in late October from Santa Barbara, and it was calm, or motor sailing for S.F.........i2f

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by JAMcDonald

I'm trying to decide how to get an old quarter tonner (Yamaha 25, with diesel inboard) from Dana Point to San Francisco. Trucking estimated at $2,200. Any advice as to best routes, timing, how far offshore, etc would be appreciated. Thanks.

Considering that your boat is very similar in size and displacment to a J-24, why not try contacting a few of the J-24 groups in SoCal and see if you can't borrow or rent a trailer for a day or so from someone. You could pretty easily tow the boat up to SF and be back in SoCal in two days. You can, of course, sail but frankly, that will be a pretty cold miserable trip at this time of year and darned uncomfortable in that boat.

FWIW...

[JAMcDonald]

All very helpful information, thanks! John

[svHyLyte]

In your deliberations, you might find the information on ActiveCaptain very helpful. You have to register, but that's free, and I have found it to be a great site. In re: weather, have a look at either or both Passagewesther.com and/or SailFlow.com

FWIW..

[JAMcDonald]

Thanks!

[markpierce]

Wonder what Richard Henry Dana Jr. would do.