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Author Topic:   Santa Barbara Trip

andrey320 posted 03-16-2011 03:57 PM ET (US)
I know there are a few Whaler owners in the Santa Barbara area, this may be an interesting trip report to you….
I towed the boat (Dauntless 15 with a 50 Honda) up to Santa Barbara last Sunday and stayed at a hotel across from the marina overnight. I left the car and trailer in the marina parking lot and the boat at a guest slip.
Sunday morning, we left the harbor with the intention of going to the “painted cave” on the West end of Santa Cruz island which is about 25 miles away. The waves were probably 3 to 5 but spaced very close together, maybe 7 seconds or so. First part of the trip I was going slow (~12-15 mph) to keep the ride somewhat comfortable. After about 30 minutes and 6 miles into it, my crew (wife and brother) expressed concern about not making the time on the float plan we left behind. I had my wife move to the back of the boat and picked up the pace. This allowed me to speed up to 15-20 mph but the ride got rougher. Almost an hour and 14 miles into it, we slowed down to consider our options. After doing a radio check and not getting a response, we decided to turn around. The NOAA weather station also kept mentioning continued disturbances from the tsunami and problems at Ventura harbor.
The rest of the trip was great! Tubing and wakeboarding outside the harbor, sea-side dining, and great company! Santa Barbara is a great place to visit with a boat. I will certainly come again.

pcrussell50 posted 03-16-2011 08:47 PM ET (US)
Drats. I juuust did the maiden splash of my Alert17 on Sarurday. Buzzed around the harbor area too, playing with the color gps map and the SONAR and the marine VHF. I asked for a number of radio checks on both 16 and 9, and never got a response. Could have been my radio, I suppose, but I did display transmit mode whenever I keyed the mic.
The waves were bigger on Saturday, but were also longer at 12-13 seconds, so you might have had a better time of it. Next time give us a shout before you head up. I would have gone out again on Sunday, to meet a fellow CWW'er I only live 5 blocks from the marina, so I'm usually good for short notice.
fluke posted 03-16-2011 09:42 PM ET (US)
Anrea you did the right thing, I've turned around countless times for the same reasons. It always gets worse as you cross the channel, but boating is fun around S.B.! Let us know next time would be fun to do a whaler Island trip.
Mark
Stevebaz posted 03-17-2011 10:43 AM ET (US)
I dont know if this radio check service applies in Santa Barbara but its worth a try. It checks your transmit and recieve.
http://www.seatow.com/boating_safety/ARC.asp
Sea Tow is expanding this service.
andrey320 posted 03-17-2011 10:59 AM ET (US)
I’ll definitely give a heads-up next time I plan on coming up.
As far as the radio check, I may have not gotten a reply because I did it on channel 16… and I know that this is not the preferred method…. My home harbor (Channel Islands) patrol monitors 12, so I tried that also. Does SB harbor patrol monitor 12?
Steve, I’ll see if I can use SeaTow for radio checks.
After reading some articles on VHF radio range, I guess I can’t really expect much with my 3 foot antenna mounted towards the top of the center console grab bar. I did just buy a slightly used 8 foot Galaxy for 30 bucks! That will probably look real funny on my 15 foot boat but hey, it’s function over form, right?
elaelap posted 03-17-2011 01:16 PM ET (US)
Please never use Channel 16 for a radio check.
Tony
hauptjm posted 03-17-2011 01:40 PM ET (US)
Proper use of a VHF radio is paramount. As Tony said, please never use Channel 16 for a radio check. Below, is an excerpt from SeaTow:
Channel 16 is for emergency, distress, safety and initial vessel contact messages ONLY. Channel 9 is designated by the FCC as the Recreational Calling Channel for use by non-commercial boaters. The intent here is to have the recreational boater make contact on channel 9 and then move to one of the other recreational channels thus clearing channel 16 of some of its traffic. Boaters who elect to monitor channel 9 are relieved from the requirement to monitor channel 16. However, all the really good stuff still happens on channel 16. You may want to consider, since they are pretty inexpensive, having two radios on board. With two radios, you've got a back-up should one die.
The other channels designated for use by the recreational boater are channels 68, 69, 71, 72 and 78A. For non-emergency calls, once contact has been made on channel 9 or 16, switch to one of these "working channels. Also use these channels for your radio checks. The knowledgeable boater will never use channel 16 for a radio check. A radio check is like going out to start your car just to see if it still runs. Unless you've worked on your radio or haven't used it in a while, radio checks are unnecessary. But if you must, use a working channel - not channel 16. Sea Tow will be happy to respond to a radio check on channel 9 or channel 7. Just give us a call.
Nantucket Sleighride posted 03-27-2011 03:29 AM ET (US)
Andrey
With luck you will have the opportunity to explore "Painted Cave" on Santa Cruz Island. The length of the cave is 1227 feet and it is the 2nd longest sea cave in the world. The longest sea cave is the "Sea Lion Cave" in Oregon at 1315 feet.
We explored "Painted Cave" during our 2007 Santa Barbara Boston Whaler Rendezvous.
This photograph was taken inside the cave.
http:/ / s389. photobucket. com/ albums/ oo336/ Nantucket_Sleighride/ ?a ction=view& current=550. jpg#!oZZ54QQcurrentZZhttp%3A%2F%2Fs389. photobu cket. com%2Falbums%2Foo336%2FNantucket_Sleighride%2F%3Faction%3Dview%26c urrent%3D540. jpg
If you select "next" you will see the 2nd image of painted cave.
That photograph shows (4) boston Whalers well inside the entrance of the cave.
I caution anyone that is planning on entering the cave to wait outside the entrance for several minutes and watch for any surges or wave action.
Waves will build in height as they travel back inside the cave.
If the sea conditions are not perfectly calm I would strongly suggest that you not proceed in to the cave.
andrey320 posted 03-29-2011 11:08 AM ET (US)
Thank you for the encouragement Bill! The pics are great!
I am very careful around the shore / rocks / and caves. I almost got crushed once in a double kayak in a cave on Catalina.... My brother was on the front with me in the back. We went into a fairly large cave and proceeded towards the end. When the swell came in we got pushed in and my brother and I struggled to paddle backwards and use our paddles to push off the walls. As we went back, the swell came out and pulled us towards the opening but not out of the cave. The back of the kayak got jammed under the wall and the swell came in again. The back of the kayak was stuck and being pushed up. I literally bent in half and got a bunch of scrapes on my back from the cave wall. This event made me very weary of caves.
I've also explored many caves on Santa Cruz in my kayak. Next time I plan on coming up to Santa Barbara, I will contact the local CW’ers. I do plan on coming for the Reggae on the Beach concert in September. I think it will be cool to anchor a little off the beach and enjoy the concert from the boat.
Nantucket Sleighride posted 03-30-2011 01:47 AM ET (US)
Andrey
You and your brother were very fortunate to have avoided a tragedy.
Several years ago a young lady lost her life when her kayak was smashed against the rocks of Santa Cruz Island. Those waters can be very treacherous.
On a more upbeat topic if you have children 16 years or younger consider stopping by Santa Barbara on 4th of July weekend.
Besides the fireworks display we have a "Free Kid's Fishing Derby" on July 2nd.
West Marine sponsors the event and I have organized it for the last 8-years.
The is no entry fee and we supply rods/reels/and bait to any children that wish to enter the derby.
Prizes are given for the largest fish in 3 different age groups and some of the free raffle prizes include trips on the "Double Dolphin" catamaran and a gallon of McConnels ice cream.
Last year we had 65 children entered in the event.
We were fortunate to have a school of mackerel swim beneath the wharf and the majority of the children had fish on within minutes.
Watching the excitement of a small child when they catch their very first fish is priceless !
Join us if you have the opportunity.
July 2nd from 10am -12noon at Stearn's Wharf, in Santa Barbara.

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Author	Topic: Santa Barbara Trip
andrey320	posted 03-16-2011 03:57 PM ET (US) I know there are a few Whaler owners in the Santa Barbara area, this may be an interesting trip report to you…. I towed the boat (Dauntless 15 with a 50 Honda) up to Santa Barbara last Sunday and stayed at a hotel across from the marina overnight. I left the car and trailer in the marina parking lot and the boat at a guest slip. Sunday morning, we left the harbor with the intention of going to the “painted cave” on the West end of Santa Cruz island which is about 25 miles away. The waves were probably 3 to 5 but spaced very close together, maybe 7 seconds or so. First part of the trip I was going slow (~12-15 mph) to keep the ride somewhat comfortable. After about 30 minutes and 6 miles into it, my crew (wife and brother) expressed concern about not making the time on the float plan we left behind. I had my wife move to the back of the boat and picked up the pace. This allowed me to speed up to 15-20 mph but the ride got rougher. Almost an hour and 14 miles into it, we slowed down to consider our options. After doing a radio check and not getting a response, we decided to turn around. The NOAA weather station also kept mentioning continued disturbances from the tsunami and problems at Ventura harbor. The rest of the trip was great! Tubing and wakeboarding outside the harbor, sea-side dining, and great company! Santa Barbara is a great place to visit with a boat. I will certainly come again.
pcrussell50	posted 03-16-2011 08:47 PM ET (US) Drats. I juuust did the maiden splash of my Alert17 on Sarurday. Buzzed around the harbor area too, playing with the color gps map and the SONAR and the marine VHF. I asked for a number of radio checks on both 16 and 9, and never got a response. Could have been my radio, I suppose, but I did display transmit mode whenever I keyed the mic. The waves were bigger on Saturday, but were also longer at 12-13 seconds, so you might have had a better time of it. Next time give us a shout before you head up. I would have gone out again on Sunday, to meet a fellow CWW'er I only live 5 blocks from the marina, so I'm usually good for short notice.
fluke	posted 03-16-2011 09:42 PM ET (US) Anrea you did the right thing, I've turned around countless times for the same reasons. It always gets worse as you cross the channel, but boating is fun around S.B.! Let us know next time would be fun to do a whaler Island trip. Mark
Stevebaz	posted 03-17-2011 10:43 AM ET (US) I dont know if this radio check service applies in Santa Barbara but its worth a try. It checks your transmit and recieve. http://www.seatow.com/boating_safety/ARC.asp Sea Tow is expanding this service.
andrey320	posted 03-17-2011 10:59 AM ET (US) I’ll definitely give a heads-up next time I plan on coming up. As far as the radio check, I may have not gotten a reply because I did it on channel 16… and I know that this is not the preferred method…. My home harbor (Channel Islands) patrol monitors 12, so I tried that also. Does SB harbor patrol monitor 12? Steve, I’ll see if I can use SeaTow for radio checks. After reading some articles on VHF radio range, I guess I can’t really expect much with my 3 foot antenna mounted towards the top of the center console grab bar. I did just buy a slightly used 8 foot Galaxy for 30 bucks! That will probably look real funny on my 15 foot boat but hey, it’s function over form, right?
elaelap	posted 03-17-2011 01:16 PM ET (US) Please never use Channel 16 for a radio check. Tony
hauptjm	posted 03-17-2011 01:40 PM ET (US) Proper use of a VHF radio is paramount. As Tony said, please never use Channel 16 for a radio check. Below, is an excerpt from SeaTow: Channel 16 is for emergency, distress, safety and initial vessel contact messages ONLY. Channel 9 is designated by the FCC as the Recreational Calling Channel for use by non-commercial boaters. The intent here is to have the recreational boater make contact on channel 9 and then move to one of the other recreational channels thus clearing channel 16 of some of its traffic. Boaters who elect to monitor channel 9 are relieved from the requirement to monitor channel 16. However, all the really good stuff still happens on channel 16. You may want to consider, since they are pretty inexpensive, having two radios on board. With two radios, you've got a back-up should one die. The other channels designated for use by the recreational boater are channels 68, 69, 71, 72 and 78A. For non-emergency calls, once contact has been made on channel 9 or 16, switch to one of these "working channels. Also use these channels for your radio checks. The knowledgeable boater will never use channel 16 for a radio check. A radio check is like going out to start your car just to see if it still runs. Unless you've worked on your radio or haven't used it in a while, radio checks are unnecessary. But if you must, use a working channel - not channel 16. Sea Tow will be happy to respond to a radio check on channel 9 or channel 7. Just give us a call.
Nantucket Sleighride	posted 03-27-2011 03:29 AM ET (US) Andrey With luck you will have the opportunity to explore "Painted Cave" on Santa Cruz Island. The length of the cave is 1227 feet and it is the 2nd longest sea cave in the world. The longest sea cave is the "Sea Lion Cave" in Oregon at 1315 feet. We explored "Painted Cave" during our 2007 Santa Barbara Boston Whaler Rendezvous. This photograph was taken inside the cave. http:/ / s389. photobucket. com/ albums/ oo336/ Nantucket_Sleighride/ ?a ction=view& current=550. jpg#!oZZ54QQcurrentZZhttp%3A%2F%2Fs389. photobu cket. com%2Falbums%2Foo336%2FNantucket_Sleighride%2F%3Faction%3Dview%26c urrent%3D540. jpg If you select "next" you will see the 2nd image of painted cave. That photograph shows (4) boston Whalers well inside the entrance of the cave. I caution anyone that is planning on entering the cave to wait outside the entrance for several minutes and watch for any surges or wave action. Waves will build in height as they travel back inside the cave. If the sea conditions are not perfectly calm I would strongly suggest that you not proceed in to the cave.
andrey320	posted 03-29-2011 11:08 AM ET (US) Thank you for the encouragement Bill! The pics are great! I am very careful around the shore / rocks / and caves. I almost got crushed once in a double kayak in a cave on Catalina.... My brother was on the front with me in the back. We went into a fairly large cave and proceeded towards the end. When the swell came in we got pushed in and my brother and I struggled to paddle backwards and use our paddles to push off the walls. As we went back, the swell came out and pulled us towards the opening but not out of the cave. The back of the kayak got jammed under the wall and the swell came in again. The back of the kayak was stuck and being pushed up. I literally bent in half and got a bunch of scrapes on my back from the cave wall. This event made me very weary of caves. I've also explored many caves on Santa Cruz in my kayak. Next time I plan on coming up to Santa Barbara, I will contact the local CW’ers. I do plan on coming for the Reggae on the Beach concert in September. I think it will be cool to anchor a little off the beach and enjoy the concert from the boat.
Nantucket Sleighride	posted 03-30-2011 01:47 AM ET (US) Andrey You and your brother were very fortunate to have avoided a tragedy. Several years ago a young lady lost her life when her kayak was smashed against the rocks of Santa Cruz Island. Those waters can be very treacherous. On a more upbeat topic if you have children 16 years or younger consider stopping by Santa Barbara on 4th of July weekend. Besides the fireworks display we have a "Free Kid's Fishing Derby" on July 2nd. West Marine sponsors the event and I have organized it for the last 8-years. The is no entry fee and we supply rods/reels/and bait to any children that wish to enter the derby. Prizes are given for the largest fish in 3 different age groups and some of the free raffle prizes include trips on the "Double Dolphin" catamaran and a gallon of McConnels ice cream. Last year we had 65 children entered in the event. We were fortunate to have a school of mackerel swim beneath the wharf and the majority of the children had fish on within minutes. Watching the excitement of a small child when they catch their very first fish is priceless ! Join us if you have the opportunity. July 2nd from 10am -12noon at Stearn's Wharf, in Santa Barbara.