San Diego to Catalina

[2manymustangs]

One final thought. If you are going to overnight in Avalon, and have never used their mooring can system, take a few minutes and watch a youtube instructional video or two on how to do it. You don't want to look like a complete novice in front of an entire harbor.

FOrtunately my father in law schooled me on the set up in advance or I would have looked like a TOTAL novice good advice ^^^

Hey KAP, do you have easy access bow cleats on that beast??? What is the beam +/- of the KAPmobile???

Have some fenders handy just in case... With the low tides and STRONG winds overnight we were bumping into the yacht next to us, fortunately we had plenty of fenders handy... I would hate to see your paint get jacked up in a situation like that...

[jordy]

If you've never been there, they make good points. Either way, the water is typically very clear. There is a buoy to grab with a tie to secure the bow, which will be pointed out towards the East. From that, you can pull the line that ties to the stern tie, and then goes to an anchor block that you'll tie off to the stern, and I know that doesn't make much sense, at least until you're on top of it. YouTube vids will make that a very clear process, and as I suggested before, drop the non-essential people at the dock and get the boat set.

[WMC]

Great posts! Any details about what to have specifically on board?
Mateo only stop for C-Cups or better bud...now if you had a special bottle of Tequila or Remy...be on the dock lol!

ok pick Wendi and I up

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

[KAP]

2ManyMustangs:

That is a great offer we are getting ready for Lake Powell. I am thinking of doing this trip when we get back.

As for the mooring system in Catalina I am familiar with it. Jordy you brought up a great point about dropping people off first. Excellent tip. The last time we could have saved some cash by dropping people off first and less of a wait. Plus, having just one other person is far better in the cockpit of a cat than having everyone play musical seats.

You know coming up for the Long Beach circle races would be awesome. I never thought of that as a added bonus. The thing is if we are set on spending time on Catalina being in Long Beach defeats the whole idea of the trip. Plus, if we wanted to watch the races we could drive up... and drink/hotel it the whole weekend.

WMC you are too funny...your beautiful wife definitely qualifys

Do you stay close to land or go with what the GPS navigation directs you? Typically the GPS is a direct line. If something were to go wrong it seems you might want to be closer to land i.e...or in the lane of boat traffic. This is easier for Seatow or Vessel Assist and probably less money or easier with one engine.

[jordy]

Jordy you brought up a great point about dropping people off first. Excellent tip. The last time we could have saved some cash by dropping people off first and less of a wait. Plus, having just one other person is far better in the cockpit of a cat than having everyone play musical seats.

Yeah, we did it a few times before we figured that little gem out. Cat, big vee hull, it doesn't matter the boat, having room to get around and set the mooring is always a bonus, aside from the extra drink money.

Do you stay close to land or go with what the GPS navigation directs you? Typically the GPS is a direct line. If something were to go wrong it seems you might want to be closer to land i.e...or in the lane of boat traffic. This is easier for Seatow or Vessel Assist and probably less money or easier with one engine.

I've had a waypoint set every time I've gone out and back, which makes it nice with the surge. Heading back from Catalina and going in a straight line will usually land you somewhere around Dana Point without correction. I had a waypoint marked for Avalon and a waypoint set for the mouth of Newport. After that, just follow the arrow.

[Havasuing]

Kap -- I'd recommend not running too close to the coast. First, lots of inshore kelp beds between San Diego and Long Beach -- avoid going through those, they most likely will foul/plug your engine cooling system. Secondly, if you're running close to shore and you have a problem (a mechanical that puts you dead in the water -- you do have a some extra security with two engines) things can happen rather quickly -- like an onshore breeze that pushes/drifts you rapidly into the surfline and the beach, you definitely don't want that. As a backup, always carry a good anchor and a couple (at least 150 to 200') of feet of line for just such an emeregency. Toss it overboard first and then search out the problem. Even if it isn't holding, it will slow down your drift. And one more last thing -- if you really want to have some additional peace of mind on board, you might want to invest in a self-inflating liferaft (Winslow) just in case it ever escalates to an "abandon ship" moment.

[2manymustangs]

2ManyMustangs:

That is a great offer we are getting ready for Lake Powell. I am thinking of doing this trip when we get back.

As for the mooring system in Catalina I am familiar with it. Jordy you brought up a great point about dropping people off first. Excellent tip. The last time we could have saved some cash by dropping people off first and less of a wait. Plus, having just one other person is far better in the cockpit of a cat than having everyone play musical seats.

You know coming up for the Long Beach circle races would be awesome. I never thought of that as a added bonus. The thing is if we are set on spending time on Catalina being in Long Beach defeats the whole idea of the trip. Plus, if we wanted to watch the races we could drive up... and drink/hotel it the whole weekend.

WMC you are too funny...your beautiful wife definitely qualifys

Do you stay close to land or go with what the GPS navigation directs you? Typically the GPS is a direct line. If something were to go wrong it seems you might want to be closer to land i.e...or in the lane of boat traffic. This is easier for Seatow or Vessel Assist and probably less money or easier with one engine.

OK, so we will see you at the races next weekend???

Come over to the dark side of the stadium...