Extended Cruising in the Channel Islands?

[salty.senorita]

Originally Posted by Lihuedooley77

Coastal and Channel Islands anchoring :

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Newport bay, the anchorage just off the main channel between Lido and Bay island.
Check with the harbies and or coast pilot. There may be a several day time limit, but not sure.

Also, Dana Point, at the far end head of the main channel, near the Maritime museum. Be aware of the large shoal area that is to the ocean side of the anchoring area.

Los Angeles and Long Beach harbor area inside of the break water . You can check
coast pilot , cruising guides, and the harbies.

Catalina:

Cat Harbor, but be very, very aware when low pressure storms are approaching, they will be southerly and SE winds, and can be extremely powerful with the added wind venturi velocity due to the tall hills and cliffs on both sides. Cat is totally open to the wind and seas at that time.

Little harbor, fairly close to Cat, but in settled conditions. Zero facilities.
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Avalon : Absolutely not, especially off Casino Point, deep, grass, kelp, rocks, and super famous for dragging anchors. Moorings are available at Avalon Bay, or Desconso . All pretty good, but untenable in Santa Ana Winds .

There is one place, in calm conditions , west of the avalon area past Desconso, called FROG ROCK, that you might check out. Dink into Avalon. Calm weather.
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Two Harbors : Isthmus Cove, moorings toward the west side. Plenty of moorings, but for anchoring, you wii be in fairly deep water outside of the mooring fields.

If you need a really calm night, at Two Harbors, a mooring inside on the west side of the Isthmus would be a suggestion. We find that area the most protected from the weaterlies . Mooring only. No room to anchor.

At two Harbors, We would NOT suggest Little Fishermans, usually bow and stern, boats within leaping and cussing distance, and at low tide you will be surrounded by lots of rocks. Also, Anchors dragging, and a general melee during the weekends and summer months .
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Check out the chart guides, coastal pilot and the charts for depths, and bottom quality, anchoring method, day limits, etc.
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Have not sailed the channel islands, off ventura area, in many years, but there were lots of great anchoring areas , just nothing around there to get fresh water, or fuel, or provisions, and if out of rum, you are out of luck.

Lots of other good ideas, and long beach , inside the break water, would be great as well. The only time we anchored there was for the phenominal 4 th of July, fireworks display.

You have lots of choices, and will have the ability to move from place to place rather easily .

This is all great info, thanks! I did see Frog Rock on the cruising guide, good to know it's nice in calm weather! Looks like I'll be able to stay in LB during the weekends and head out to an island during the week to explore. Fun!

[motretu]

san diego use to have a 30day anchorage off the coast guard station for boats not registered or home ported in san diego cnty. check with harbor police..

[salty.senorita]

Originally Posted by motretu

san diego use to have a 30day anchorage off the coast guard station for boats not registered or home ported in san diego cnty. check with harbor police..

Yes, they do. It's actually 90 days. I plan on getting using that but till have four months I need to find somewhere to be.

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by salty.senorita

Great to hear! I have a Fantasia 35'. Double ender center cockpit. Heavy, but it does tend to bob quite a bit in swells. I have a flopper stopper though. What are your favorite anchorages? I got caught in the Santa Ana's out at Forney cove and it was pretty terrifying. I read in a guidebook they are over by March, so I should be safe over the summer I hope!

Oh I have seen a Fantasia, very nice and that is one roomy 35'! Flopper stoppers are always good for any boat in IMO in our neighborhood. I can name some of the good spots, and an excellent reference is Brian Fagan's guide book "the Cruising Guide to Central and Southern California." First of all, how soon did you want to head up? Or actually where are you now?
I am not sure how weather patterns are shaking out this year, but typically the spring can be blustery with "clearing winds" coming down out of the NW after a low passes to the north. Probably better to hang out farther south and Catalina until May or June. Usually the south side of Santa Cruz offers shelter from wind and certainly NW swell. You mention Forney Cove, which is one of my favorites, and that can get windy though it does offer protection from swells unless it really picks up and it is high tide. If it is too uncomfortable, it is easy to just run down along the coast south to southern anchorages like Willows. That one is a nice place to stay when there is not much swell coming up from the south (which is pretty typical for spring/summer/fall unless there is a big storm/hurricane churning down south.) The south side of Santa Cruz, or "back side" can get pretty warm in the summer AND the kelp flies can be annoying, but they go away at night.
There are a lot of potential spots given different conditions, but here is my list of reliable spots: Willows east to Coches Prietos. Smuggler's is there, it's ok, not one of my favorites. If you are that far east, better to go around and up to Scorpion or Little Scorpion (better.) That one is one of the best year-round. Going west from there is a really beautiful one named Potato Harbor, and in settled weather it is great and you'll really feel you have ventured to another sea. Downside is it is open to northwest which is the typical source of swell. Prisoner's Harbor is the next one west to recommend but if you go that far, better to keep going around the corner to Pelican Harbor. Next up west would be Twin harbors, the east cove being the best choice. There are also Orizaba and Platts to the west but I'd like to show you a couple of rocks to avoid on a map before I recommend them. Next up Fry's is definitely one of those you could stay in for quite a while. It is typically well protected and there is nice kayaking around there and a stream shrouded in oaks not far from the beach. Next up west is Lady's and it's tiny counterpart affectionately named "Baby's." Baby's looks pretty scary to enter but once you are in it is really pretty nice. I probably wouldn't recommend that one on a first trip. Cueva Valdez is also very nice, which is kind of surprising since it seems like it would be exposed to more swell than it is. Hazard's can also very nice but given the choice I'd probably take Cueva. Next up would be Painted Cave but not as an anchorage. If you have someone along who could motor around the mouth of it for a while you could kayak in to explore it, bring a good flashlight. Those are the main spots I'd pick for Santa Cruz as a start. As I said, there are many other nice places, besides those, which rely on settled weather to be comfortable, but you can have them all to yourself! Someone mentioned anchoring off east beach in Santa Barbara, east of Stearns Wharf. I'd say that is a very good option too. MANY moons ago I used to keep my boat out here and I kayaked back and forth to it. It is usually very settled and won't require a flopper stopper. It is a bit of a distance to kayak into the harbor, but it is very scenic. I'd also recommend poking along the coast up to Cojo Anchorage near Point Conception if you haven't been up there. It can be a blustery spot but IMO very beautiful. It reminds me of Forney's (I know the chart says Forney Cove, but we all always called it Forney's.) From there it is a relatively easy reach over to Cuyler Harbor at San Miguel Island. If things get too breezy there you can easily run down to Becher's at Santa Rosa which is also nice, offering protection from NW, but winds can sweep over the hills down into the anchorage. That doesn't make it hazardous, just a bit chilly in the evening. If you can take some time to hike around Santa Rosa, it is well worth it also.
You know, this is all getting way too long. Feel free to PM me for more info if you want and info on where to anchor and bottom conditions for the ones I know.
OH BTW, we get some grief from folks at times about this, but it is pretty typical to anchor bow and stern at the islands.

[Don C L]

This may be helpful too:
https://www.thelog.com/local/from-ha...of-anchorages/

[Lihuedooley77]

Salty,

If you are bashing up the coast from San Diego, and elect to stop for a little R and R, at Dana Point, let us know . We live nearby, and could meet you at Harpoon Henry's .

Very nice, restaurant and bar in the harbor marina. Friendly, feels good,
and happy hour food and drink all day long, mon thru fri. ( at the bar )

Will be off sailing the BVI, last two weeks of May.

Dana Point Marina, and area is quite nice .

Denny and Erica

[alctel]

Originally Posted by Paul L

You think its a good spot to spend a few months in the winter? Not me. A few nights maybe.

It's about as well protected as the mooring fields there to be honest, but obviously probably no good in a southern blow.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by alctel

It's about as well protected as the mooring fields there to be honest, but obviously probably no good in a southern blow.

I was trying to honestly respond to the OP who is looking for low cost, living for many months. I've anchored a few times where you suggest. It is a narrow ledge that requires you to anchor in deep water, as you said 60 feet. Not far and it drops off to 170feet. If all the moorings weren't there, then you could go deep into the bay and have great protection. But then it wouldn't be southern Cal. Maybe it's a better anchorage than I remember. At least in the off season you will most likely have some swinging room for all that rode.

Off season, tied to one of the inner mooring would be a fine, low cost alternative. Perhaps a little boring, but perfectly doable. I'd find Avalon more interesting for a long stay.

[NewportGuy]

I am waiting out hurricane season in So Cal, but dock are too pricy in San Diego. I can afford a mooring ball at Catalina during the off season, but being that I have 7 months to kill until November, is it possible to spend this much time at Catalina anchoring out at different coves? I don't know if there is a rule to how much time you can spend out there. And what about the other Channel Islands?

Thanks

You have a nice variety of free or economical mooring/anchoring options through which you can easily rotate during your wait; San Diego, Dana Point, Newport Beach, Catalina, Redondo Beach and Long Beach. Various time limits apply to some of the mainland anchorages. The harbormasters in Dana Point and Newport Beach don't enforce the "must maintain someone aboard" rule at their anchorages, except during heavy weather. At Catalina, the offseason mooring rates in Avalon and the Isthmus are quite reasonable. The anchorage area off Avalon is deep and you'll need at least 300 feet of rode, more is better. At the Isthmus (Two Harbors) you have the option of going around the West End to the backside of the Island for moorings in Cat Harbor, a very secure spot, still within easy walking distance of the the facilities at the Isthmus. Several miles further along the backside is Little Harbor, an idyllic Robinson Crusoe setting (settled weather only). The other Channel Islands are stunningly beautiful, but really not places for extended anchorage. They are subject to conditions arriving from north of Point Conception and can get uncomfortable to dangerous very quickly. Others have mentioned the opportunities inside the Long Beach breakwater, all good. Enjoy this sailing wonderland!

[Don C L]

Well... if you make it up to the Channel Islands, let me know, I'll meet you out there and I'll even bring the chips and beer! Give me a grocery list and I can re-stock you too! (within limits!)

[dcssteve]

I do not know at what price you consider too expensive. San Diego has really gone up over the last 1-2 years. I moved my boat to Channel Islands Harbor. A 38 foot slip is about 600.00 and a 46 foot slip is 785.00. Channel Islands is beautiful. Though, finding a live-aboard slip can be challenging. Ventura West has more live-aboard slips.

If I wanted my boat in San Diego, I would sell it. Too expensive. Kona Kai live aboard fee is now 400.00 /month. A hotel chain bought the place, did some improvements and jacked up all the prices. All the Marinas seem to move up around the same time. The Marinas in San Diego have lots of people that just come on weekends to party.

Channel Island Harbor Marina is beautiful, and I can walk across the street to miles of uncrowded beach. Part of me says, I should not tell anyone. Short sails to the Channel Islands as well. But, as they said. The islands are not a place for long term anchoring. You check the weather and go for whatever the weather will allow. Lots of high winds this winter. Good luck.

[Capt'n Ricko]

Originally Posted by salty.senorita

Thanks Matt!

How much chain do you put out in 60'? I see 5 to 1 scope but can't do the math right now

What is the length of your boat? What kind of ground tackle do you have? All these impact your calculations.

[waterman46]

Originally Posted by salty.senorita

I quite liked Newport Beach, I think I may have stayed near the anchorage. Why does someone always need to be on the boat? Any time limits to how long you can anchor? I have dogs I need to take to shore as well as provisions but otherwise wouldn't mind staying aboard (I work from home so I'm aboard often).

We tried to stay overnight in Newport Beach last fall, and were quoted about $100 per night for a mooring ball. Didn't know about any anchorage area. I guess a dinner for 2 at any of those restaurants with a dock would cost nearly as much. Left that place and did overnight to San Diego.

[waterman46]

Originally Posted by salty.senorita

I am waiting out hurricane season in So Cal, but dock are too pricy in San Diego. I can afford a mooring ball at Catalina during the off season, but being that I have 7 months to kill until November, is it possible to spend this much time at Catalina anchoring out at different coves? I don't know if there is a rule to how much time you can spend out there. And what about the other Channel Islands?

Thanks!

If you need to stay until November, why not head up the coast after April? Free anchoring can be found just N of Pt Conception in San Luis Bay, not rolly, easy free shore access, nice weather. Or come on up to Moro Bay, Monterey, etc. The NW winds are very cyclic and predictions accurate, just wait until you see a few days lighter winds.

[Don C L]

If you’re anchoring in 60’ and you want 5:1 then you’ll need 300’ out (you’ll still need more in reserve) but I never anchor in 60’ where I am.