posted 04-24-2008 06:05 PM ET (US)            

Welcome to SoCal. Whalering is great out here. Catalina Island is 20 miles across open ocean but I've made the run at least 200 times in my 17-Montauk. Once you get there you feel like you could be in the south of France or the Italian Riviera, it's a wonderful place. I just crossed about a month ago with my five year old son who can't get enough of The Whaler.

I've found, especially in the summertime, you can go just about anywhere as long as you're in a harbor by noon. Oftentimes, this can be extended if the weather is permitting.

Where are you located in LA?

posted 04-29-2008 06:34 PM ET (US)            

Avalon is fantastic, but you need a Whaler to harbor cruise Avalon Bay. Went to Two Harbors on Sunday. Saw a Blue Whale, large pod of Common Dolphin and about a 10-foot Hammerhead on the way.

Right now I keep the boat on a trailer. I will be putting her in the water in Redondo Beach's King Harbor here shortly. They re-did my favorite marina in the harbor (Portofino) and they took out most of their small slips.

We definately have to get you out on the water. What brings you to So-Cal and where are you from in New Jersey? I don't know if you followed the Wave a year or two ago but I was the guy who, in 1987, took the Montauk around the eastern US. 6,100 miles in 112 days. We shot up the New Jersey Intracoastal and headed out of Manasquan Inlet to New York.

If all goes as planned, the book will be out in June.

Do you still have your Whaler? Are you looking to buy one?

posted 05-06-2008 07:24 PM ET (US)            

We take an annual trip to Avalon every year, rent a house, harbor cruise everyday, hang and do nothing for 10 days. It's fantastic. Anyway, Jack, the five year old, became very comfortable buzzing around on the Whaler two years ago. Then last year, we took a trip to the west end. We ran into some seas on the way back that scared him a little but after that he's had no problem.

Both times we've been made the trip to the Island together have been for the day.

I friend's dad developed a front bed for my Montauk out of marine plywood. It works out great. Actually makes the boat a lot bigger and provides great storage underneath. I've had the bed for about 20 years. Love it. I can send you a photo or two if you're interested in seeing it.

posted 05-06-2008 07:40 PM ET (US)            

In the book I complain New Jersey needs to fire their PR Firm, they're worthless. Growing up in SoCal, the only pictures we saw of NJ were of a smoke spewing factory in Newark on a dismal, cloudy day. Such being the case, when I planned the voyage I scheduled very few nights in the the Garden State. Joining the NJICW at Cape May the mistake became immediately evident. New Jersey is beautiful country. Motoring north, it was obvious we should stick around for a few days and explore. Unfortunately, we were due to pick up a friend from home in Atlantic City and were expected in New York a day later.

posted 05-07-2008 09:22 AM ET (US)            

Lots of CWers live in the area...give us time and we'll show ourselves here. My husband Rich (RichL here on CW) live in Orange County (Trabuco Canyon) and keep our Revenge in Dana Point harbor.

posted 05-07-2008 12:06 PM ET (US)            

My favorite destination is Two Harbors on Catalina. Just a couple months ago they started taking reservations on their string line, which is a major deal, since you know you have a place to stay for the night when you head over.

If we could pick a date and go, it would be fun to have several Boston Whalers on the line together for a night or two.

I have string line reservations for August 22 and 23, a Friday and Saturday night. If anyone wants to join me then that would be great.

posted 05-09-2008 11:24 AM ET (US)            

Great idea. Unfortunately, we're taking The Whaler to San Diego for that week. Let's keep trying to create the rendevous. Maybe, weather permitting, we could take a day and cruise around the Island.

posted 05-09-2008 11:44 AM ET (US)            

One year I won a 25hp Four Stroke motor, so that was very nice. Of course I had to go buy a boat to put it on, and that's how I found my 13' Anniversary Edition. I kept that a few years and really miss it.

You can get on Shock's mailing list for their tournament by buying something for them, or maybe just asking. They are a very nice family run dealer.

posted 05-15-2008 01:31 AM ET (US)         

The O-21 (w #5) (1993 Reabok Hull) is a monster, in that it drives like a big boat (I believe that it weights 1,000 lbs more). I re-powered it w/ a Y-225 4 stroke which is very quiet, easy on gas, and plenty of power (46 mph). Overall the boat is smooth and dry, except when you get into the really rough wind chop heading into the wind, the stern drags if you slow down too much. Hit the really steep stuff (& with a stiff head wind, I wonder if it might come over the top). I am told that trim tabs would help. I find tacking up wind can do the trick as well, but mostly I avoid those days whenever possible. 99% of the time I am happily cruising in fair to modest seas or going down swell, so I trim it for a soft landing and fly.

The next whaler (w #6) will likely be a Conquest (so I can sleep inside at night).

I prefer to hit Catalina on a Sunday, when most boaters are packing up and heading home, and then hang out until Tuesday (no crowds at the ramp when I arrive home). Something special about being anchored up in a secluded cove just hanging out, diving, etc. My kids, who are now teens (16 & 18), love Catalina camping, and usually as we pack up they are already planning the next trip. Dad is rarely cool, except at Catalina.

Check out the "boat-in" camp-sites, or if you camp on-board as I often do, just find a remote cove tucked in out of the breeze and relax. Beware too that many beaches are private, so talk to a veteran, so you don't run afoul of the locals. Also, Schock Boats is a great Whaler dealer in Newport Beach if you need info, or just want to see what they have stashed in their various yards nearby.

posted 05-20-2008 07:11 PM ET (US)            

http://www.inkbox.net/whaler/gallery

I mostly use it for diving around Palos Verdes (slipped in Redondo), but might be interested in a Catalina trip depending on the timing.

posted 05-21-2008 06:04 PM ET (US)            

Are you putting your Whaler in the water this weekend. My Montauk's in the water through Memorial Day. B 23-25, something like that, in Portofino. Can't miss it, she's a 17-foot boat in a 45-foot slip.

posted 05-21-2008 08:58 PM ET (US)            

Dave, you addressed your msg to sternorama but I'm wondering if you meant it for me as you mentioned the over-and-under photo etc. I imagine that's probably my 225 Merc 2-stroke you asked about. Mileage isn't great, but more immediately I've been getting a lot of overheating alarms lately -- replaced the thermostats and checked the poppet, but I still got an unexpected alarm on our last run a couple of weeks ago. A new engine would be great, but I'm not ready to repower just yet unless it dies on me. I'd like to see jeep9221's setup -- no kicker with that Yamaha?

posted 05-23-2008 12:46 AM ET (US)            

Let's hook up soon. I have a bigger boat, Thirsty Sol, moored at Portofino B-10 if you're ever harbor cruising around. Two partners, Jeff and John, I'm sure will say hello if I'm not around.

Still working on getting that slip in Portofino for The Whaler. The harbor master's great about getting me in for a week here and there when I want. Looking forward to that permanent slip though.

posted 05-28-2008 05:51 PM ET (US)            

Looking forward to some quality time on the water next Sunday!

posted 06-14-2008 12:47 AM ET (US)         

Sternorama - my next trip to Catalina is 7/12 - 7/15, camping at Two Harbors - here we all sleep ashore and I anchor off the beach (2 anchors). It can be a tricky anchorage due to traffic congestion and lots of wind (don't forget to allow for tide fluctuations). I recommend that if you take your 5 year old, that you make a reservation at Two Harbors (get a campsite close to the water), and sleep in a tent, then take off for day excursions in the boat. Everyone will be happier.

Another trick with the young kids was for me to send them on Catalina Express with mom (or solo when they were older) and then pick them up once they arrive in Catalina. My rule was if you were 10 or under, you could not cross in the Whaler. I met a guy who flipped his Whaler near San Clemente Is. and waited 5 hours to be rescued with his son (boat was turtled).

Best boat in site depends on the day, wind, etc. Lava wall is a great anchorage, sandy beach, etc., but is susceptible to wind. Paradise and Rippers are good - more protected, less private. Cabrillo is more protected, but a rocky beach.

Last when solo, I prefer to sleep on the boat and to choose my anchorage based on the day, weather, water vis, etc. You can anchor almost anywhere, so long as you stay out of the moorings and off private beaches (private beaches have no water rights, unless they have moorings set). I always use two anchors, I sleep in the bow under the cover, and I don't use a dingy. We have a system to unload the boat on the beach that is fast and easy - now we carry only a boogie board.