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Old 15-09-2021, 10:02   #31
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Re: Bad trip stories to catalina island

Been there many times and it can be very pleasant. Some anchorages and moorings can be rolly so don't forget your flopper-stoppers. Never ran into fog but the lesson I learned was to check the weather!

Santa Ana winds blow out of the North East and they can churn up the channel something fierce. In addition they blow directly into Avalon harbor and have been known to create substantial damage from the surge. What people normally do is to scoot around to the back side and wait it out, usually about 24 hours.

The wind started to blow, it was time to return to Newport after the weekend, so being dumb I headed back across the channel and spent a good 10 hours fighting 50 mph wind gusts and (at least) 12 foot waves. No worries about the boat, she had a mast like a telephone pole and was built for the North Sea, but it was really uncomfortable.

Don't forget to troll a lure, you'll catch dinner.
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Old 16-09-2021, 14:30   #32
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Re: Bad trip stories to catalina island

Well, we went to Two Harbors a couple of weeks ago. Been going there since the 70s, but haven't been there since the Conservancy took over. Moored just south of the fuel dock and planned to spend a couple of relaxing days.


So first the wind blew up from Cat Harbor at 15 knts for the two days we were there. That wasn't the problem, the dirt that came with the wind was horrific. The boat needed a good washing and I gave it one when we got back to San Pedro.


Worst of all, Two Harbors has been monetized. They now charge for the sand beach as well as the tables. So, no more going ashore and lounging, unless one wants to pay. No swimming unless one wants to pay. And the bar has a strict hierarchy, depending on how much one wants to pay.



The hiking is still free.


We got out and felt fortunate.


Boris
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Old 03-04-2022, 14:12   #33
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Re: Bad trip stories to catalina island

I love Catalina. Fog is no problem these days, and the weather is great once you arrive at Catalina. Been there maybe 8 times over the last 30 years in two different boats. Only bad experience was with a mooring. We usually don't go there in October (can be windy and cold) but in that year we were on our way to Mexico and stopped at Emerald Bay. We were the only ones there, which should have been a clue! There was a strong gusty crosswind to the normal wind direction. As we picked up the mooring the harbormaster's boat tried to pull our stern upwind to help us bring in the stern line. But he pulled the stern way too hard and way too soon, and I had not even yet secured the bow line. The buoy, which I had brought on deck, caught up hard on the bow pulpit as it was dragged overboard.
This guy seemed to have a macho attitude, gunning his little boat and shouting conmands and probably assuming I had never done this before (wrong). Due to his lack of attention, we had to get a couple hundred dollars of repair work done on the bent pulpit after we got to San Diego, and it still isn't really straight.
If you allow others to try to help you, keep a close eye on what they are doing. Lack of coordination in mooring can lead to really bad results. I was lucky my hands were not in the way of that buoy.
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Old 03-04-2022, 14:20   #34
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Re: Bad trip stories to catalina island

Quote:
Originally Posted by BMD21 View Post
Well, we went to Two Harbors a couple of weeks ago. Been going there since the 70s, but haven't been there since the Conservancy took over. Moored just south of the fuel dock and planned to spend a couple of relaxing days.


So first the wind blew up from Cat Harbor at 15 knts for the two days we were there. That wasn't the problem, the dirt that came with the wind was horrific. The boat needed a good washing and I gave it one when we got back to San Pedro.


Worst of all, Two Harbors has been monetized. They now charge for the sand beach as well as the tables. So, no more going ashore and lounging, unless one wants to pay. No swimming unless one wants to pay. And the bar has a strict hierarchy, depending on how much one wants to pay.



The hiking is still free.


We got out and felt fortunate.


Boris
I don't think it is legal to charge for anyone to be on the beach below the high tide line. Back in the 70's it was a big political issue and we (mostly surfers) finally got the legislature to legalize coastal access rights and beach public zones below the high tide line on all CA beaches where access has been historically established. Maybe there is an exception for the islands.
I would anchor the dink just outside the swimming area and swim in, and have a nice little discussion with anyone who asked me to leave.
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Old 03-04-2022, 14:35   #35
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Re: Bad trip stories to catalina island

Quote:
Worst of all, Two Harbors has been monetized. They now charge for the sand beach as well as the tables. So, no more going ashore and lounging, unless one wants to pay. No swimming unless one wants to pay. And the bar has a strict hierarchy, depending on how much one wants to pay.
I know what you mean, there are "cabanas" now, and a private dining area near the waterline with rattan tables and chairs, and a roped off part of the sand BEHIND the rock wall - the 2' high rock wall separates the beach proper from the sandy area behind the wall, which is now roped off. So, you can walk around the roped off area and easily get to the beach itself and swim and lounge on the mostly hard packed sand between the water and the rock wall, even at high tide there is still public sand there.

I was there last August and there was no problem going for a swim or sitting on the beach and there were plenty of other people doing the same, and the overpriced cabanas more mostly empty.

The end result is more commercialism with private parts roped off and cabanas and lounge chairs for rent (at crazy prices).

But, the bar is still the bar, we had a drink there and ate lunch and it was basically the same as it was 16 years ago when we first started going there regularly.

There is no exception to the public beach laws on Catalina and no one is trying to stop people from using the beach, though it is less welcoming now just because there are "private" areas which are off limits which were accessible before, and that sucks.
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Old 03-04-2022, 14:37   #36
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Re: Bad trip stories to catalina island

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We were sailing into two harbors with an experienced skipper. There is a big rock in the middle of the entrance to the harbor. I forgot what it was called? Ship rock? Eagle rock? forget....anyways he said to never sail to the left of it as your approaching, always keep to the right of it. apparently there is a reef or submerged rocks to the left of it. Maybe someone else can elaborate, Iv'e only been there once.
True, i broke the skag off a 60hp OB. barely felt it, the hull skirted right over it. This was pre GPS and for me NOT post stupidity.
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Old 04-04-2022, 01:05   #37
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Re: Bad trip stories to catalina island

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M But I’ve never seen the dominant seas from any direction but west on that side, etc.
My experience too. I was even there on the backside during the infamous 1989 Memorial Day tragedy. Heavy Seas, but from the W.
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Old 04-04-2022, 02:11   #38
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Re: Bad trip stories to catalina island

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My experience too. I was even there on the backside during the infamous 1989 Memorial Day tragedy. Heavy Seas, but from the W.
Indeed! That must have been the all-time worst trip, to the Channel islands.

The MV “Conception” dive boat caught fire & sank, off the coast of Santa Cruz Island*, on September 2, 2019.
Five crew members, whose sleeping quarters were on the top deck, survived, while everyone else [34] on board died.
NTSB Report ➥ https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/...ts/MAR2003.pdf

CF Discussion https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...on-223305.html

* Platts Harbor, Santa Cruz Island, 21.5 miles South-Southwest of Santa Barbara
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Old 07-04-2022, 13:29   #39
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Re: Bad trip stories to catalina island

I would class fog as 'horrible'

It's freezing cold, the lack of a horizon makes it a lot easier to get seasick and you are constantly wondering if something is going to loom out of the fog ahead (AIS and radar help a lot but it's still hard to shake)

And it makes the nights so much darker. Unfortunately where I am I have to deal with it a lot but always thoroughly dislike it.


Re: Catalina, if you are at all interested in marine life, try jigging at night. You'll catch some crazy stuff.
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Old 08-04-2022, 15:21   #40
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Re: Bad trip stories to catalina island

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I don't think it is legal to charge for anyone to be on the beach below the high tide line. Back in the 70's it was a big political issue and we (mostly surfers) finally got the legislature to legalize coastal access rights and beach public zones below the high tide line on all CA beaches where access has been historically established. Maybe there is an exception for the islands.
I would anchor the dink just outside the swimming area and swim in, and have a nice little discussion with anyone who asked me to leave.
Sad that this was written in Spring, greenest time of year. Draught must be worse than ever for that dust to blow in like that.
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