Request Advice - Sailing SoCal in late January

[travelah]

Hi All,

I'm visiting a friend in SD in late January and am considering a 3-4 day sailing charter. I had thought SD to Catalina might be fun until reading some of the other postings on wind conditions and the distance.

Can anyone recommend a good ~3 day sail in the SD/LA area?

thanks in advance!

[imagine2frolic]

If you want to sail. I don't see why you can't make Catalina in a day. Play a day, and then head back. That's 2 days of sailing, and a day of rest......i2f

[roverhi]

The Channel Islands are really neat to visit especially at that time of year. It's a bit cool but not overly so. Catalina is also great when there's no one there. Probably would be way easier to charter out of Marina Del Rey (LA area) rather than buck headwinds out of SD

Aloha
Peter O.
Pearson 35

[svHyLyte]

From Pt. Loma to Avalon is upwards of 80 miles which, going, would be dead to weather and up current. I don't know anyone (and we know a lot of sailors at SDYC!) that makes that trip in less than 20 hours of cold, wet, sailing and most take more or stop--unwelcomed--at San Clemente and then continue to Cat Harbor the following day. Been there, done that (several times) got the T-Shirt(s).

By comparison, one can easily spend several days pottering around San Diego Bay, which is quite lovely, and for a little exercise, beating up to Mission Bay to anchor in the cove behind Mission Beach for a night.

Check out Google Earth for more information and details,

FWIW...

s/v HyLyte

[AVSkipper]

San Diego is a long haul to Catalina and dead to weather. Dana Point is much shorter, but also dead to weather. Newport is a nice, straight shot, but you'll likely have to use the engine. Long Beach, Redondo, and Marina Del Ray are nice departure points to Catalina. It's a nice 3-4 day trip.

[Colorado Dreamer]

Originally Posted by svHyLyte

From Pt. Loma to Avalon is upwards of 80 miles which, going, would be dead to weather and up current. I don't know anyone (and we know a lot of sailors at SDYC!) that makes that trip in less than 20 hours of cold, wet, sailing and most take more or stop--unwelcomed--at San Clemente and then continue to Cat Harbor the following day. Been there, done that (several times) got the T-Shirt(s).

By comparison, one can easily spend several days pottering around San Diego Bay, which is quite lovely, and for a little exercise, beating up to Mission Bay to anchor in the cove behind Mission Beach for a night.

Check out Google Earth for more information and details,

FWIW...

s/v HyLyte

I would have to agree totally.

The bay is a lot of fun, and so is the cove in Mission Bay. I think it is called Mariners Cove, but I am new to San Diego, so that could be wrong.

If you charter out of one of the places on Harbor Island, you are in a perfect spot to use the boat as a floating hotel, and still also be able to explore the area (Zoo, Cabrillo Point, etc.)

[imagine2frolic]

Where's the adventurous spirit here? One never knows you might get some favorable wind. After the beat the ride home would be well worth it. I've done SF to Cabo both ways alone. Don't make it sound impossible. As posted you could go out of LA. If you just want a day sail then that's a whole other subject......i2f

[imagine2frolic]

I just happen to run across this video. Calm going north, and some lovely sailing returning from Catalina...hehehehehehehehe

YouTube - Catalina Sail...

[roverhi]

Amazing how the camera flattens waves. They reported 9' seas but it looked almost flat. Must assume the windspeed was correct as they were flying a much reduced jib and supposedly doing 20+ knots. Guess the next time I get caught out in some nasty stuff, all I have to do is get out the video camera and all will be calm and comfortable.

Aloha
Peter O.

[imagine2frolic]

Pics never show the true size of waves. I am not going to guess the size of waves, but I like the sailing they are doing. When we leave on a cold front. It's usually a dbl reefed main, and half the headsail, and we maintain midteens in comfort just like in the video.

[Jerry Woodward]

Hey John

Kinda looks like the seas we were in heading out from Miami in a squall. I cooked dinner on Imagine in seas like that. Well....maybe not quite that big, hard to tell from the video

[Tempest245]

Loved the Video!! Thanks