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Author Topic:   Catalina Island rendevous

fluke posted 07-17-2011 10:38 PM ET (US)
I was just curious if there has ever been a Catalina rendevous, seems like it could be a fun challenge and great gathering place?
Mark

lizard posted 07-19-2011 04:26 PM ET (US)
If I find a trailer, I would be in. This is what I have been told from fellow CW'ers who have done the run many times. Depart Dana Point, leave very early in the morning, return very early in the afternoon.
I would think that the smallest Whaler considered for a Catalina run would be a Montauk on the RIGHT day (though there are those who say they have done it in a 13. I would never venture 26 miles into the Pacific in a 13.)
If wind, weather, waves were right, you could make in there in about an hour and a half. 3 hours roundtrip and an early return does not leave much time out there to rendevous. Here is info on the Catalina Two Harbors String Line, if you were going to stay overnight:
http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/twoHarbors/boat_mooring.php
I had friends go out a few weekends ago, got a mooring the first night, not told it was a lottery for the next day and did not get a mooring for the second night.
Here is the link for moorings in Avalon:
http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/twoHarbors/?utm_source=google& utm_medium=ppc&utm_term=mooring%2Bcatalina&utm_campaign=scico& gclid=CKK6pdCejqoCFcLc4AodrSHnvw
tomol posted 07-20-2011 10:01 AM ET (US)
Catalina could be a very enjoyable place for a rendezvous.
The shortest passage is from the Cabrillo ramp in San Pedro. From there it's roughly 19-22 miles (all distances in nautical miles) to anywhere on the front side of the island.
There are several other good launch ramps including Long Beach, Alamitos Bay, Newport Harbor and Dana Point. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Dana Point is the furthest south. From there it's 33 miles to Avalon and 40 to the Isthmus. Alamitos Bay and Long Beach are a couple of miles further than San Pedro. Newport is 27 miles from Avalon and 32 from the Isthmus (it's also 35 minutes from the ramp to the harbor entrance at 5 mph).
There are good facilities at both Avalon and the Isthmus. Both have small boat moorings and regular shore boat service, as well as places to eat and drink and bbq/picnic facilities. Avalon is the most developed with several restaurants, shopping, bars, etc. The Isthmus has only one restaurant/bar but much more beach. For those looking for a more removed locale, there are several coves and beaches on the front side of the island without facilities.
Many people make the crossing in 15's and up (I'd recommend against taking 13 out there). It's a safe passage, particularly if it's done with buddy boats (with the usual caveat about weather). I've made hundreds of crossings in my old 17 and my current 18 over 30 years. I've only had to turn around once. The weather can get bad, but the forecasts almost always tell you first, so surprises are almost nonexistent.
Generally speaking, winds are calm in the a.m. and build to 10-15 knots in the afternoon. The good news is that the trip back is downwind.
I'd think September. Daytime temps and weather are best then, and the kids are back in school, so you miss the summer crowds.
If, on the day of the trip, the forecast looks iffy, each port has points of interest that might make a good plan B. San Pedro, Long Beach and Alamitos Bay are all part of the greater Los Angeles Harbor complex, which (I think) is the busiest commercial port in the country and has lots of interesting nooks and crannies to see. Newport has an extensive private boat harbor, and if you don't mind going 5 mph, it can make an enjoyable afternoon cruise. There is also Laguna Beach 7-14 miles to the south. Dana Point is a very small harbor, but Laguna Beach is just up the coast.
fluke posted 07-25-2011 09:25 PM ET (US)
Saturday I went to the back side of Santa Cruz Island, Yellow Banks looking for white sea bass very flat 80 miles in total, so these little whalers can make it weather permiting. I was thinking an overnighter would be a blast, hope we get more input, hard to beat the NorCal rendevous at Bodega set a very high Mark!
Mark
lizard posted 07-26-2011 10:35 PM ET (US)
fluke- Did you do this in a Montauk? What time and what location did you depart from?
fluke posted 07-28-2011 10:23 AM ET (US)
Lizard yes in my 1988 17' montauk, left Santa Barbara harbor at 8:30 got to Santa Cruz Island at 9:45. Nice conditions allowed me to cruise around the back side. The distance is close to Catalina I think so could be done with nice seas. John Mirassou has done the trip countless times he would be a fun guest too! I've only been there once by the cat ferry, but would love to go back with a boat and stay a day or two
Mark
Chuck Tribolet posted 07-28-2011 09:03 PM ET (US)
If you guys get this going, Adm. Linda and I just might come
down and dive.

Chuck
sblack posted 08-02-2011 01:27 AM ET (US)
Oh boy this sounds like fun.
My fishing buddy and I are planning our annual Labor Day 5-6 day trip to San Clemente Island, then to Catalina and finishing with Santa Barbara Island then back home to San Diego.
Regardless of this trip, my schedule is pretty flexible afterwards to come up and spend 2-3 days at Catalina and if I come alone, I can take 2 more people onboard for the night if anyone needs a place to stay. It's tight on a 25 Revenge, but it works & is fun.
At any rate, my schedule is flexible and I would love to cruise up to CI (hopefully at Isthmus Cove) from San Diego to meet up with a group of Whalers. With any luck there would be some Kelp Paddie fish for dinner.
I will keep following this link and send out my contact information if things solidify.
I would be happy to help coordinate this also.


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Author	Topic: Catalina Island rendevous
fluke	posted 07-17-2011 10:38 PM ET (US) I was just curious if there has ever been a Catalina rendevous, seems like it could be a fun challenge and great gathering place? Mark
lizard	posted 07-19-2011 04:26 PM ET (US) If I find a trailer, I would be in. This is what I have been told from fellow CW'ers who have done the run many times. Depart Dana Point, leave very early in the morning, return very early in the afternoon. I would think that the smallest Whaler considered for a Catalina run would be a Montauk on the RIGHT day (though there are those who say they have done it in a 13. I would never venture 26 miles into the Pacific in a 13.) If wind, weather, waves were right, you could make in there in about an hour and a half. 3 hours roundtrip and an early return does not leave much time out there to rendevous. Here is info on the Catalina Two Harbors String Line, if you were going to stay overnight: http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/twoHarbors/boat_mooring.php I had friends go out a few weekends ago, got a mooring the first night, not told it was a lottery for the next day and did not get a mooring for the second night. Here is the link for moorings in Avalon: http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/twoHarbors/?utm_source=google& utm_medium=ppc&utm_term=mooring%2Bcatalina&utm_campaign=scico& gclid=CKK6pdCejqoCFcLc4AodrSHnvw
tomol	posted 07-20-2011 10:01 AM ET (US) Catalina could be a very enjoyable place for a rendezvous. The shortest passage is from the Cabrillo ramp in San Pedro. From there it's roughly 19-22 miles (all distances in nautical miles) to anywhere on the front side of the island. There are several other good launch ramps including Long Beach, Alamitos Bay, Newport Harbor and Dana Point. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Dana Point is the furthest south. From there it's 33 miles to Avalon and 40 to the Isthmus. Alamitos Bay and Long Beach are a couple of miles further than San Pedro. Newport is 27 miles from Avalon and 32 from the Isthmus (it's also 35 minutes from the ramp to the harbor entrance at 5 mph). There are good facilities at both Avalon and the Isthmus. Both have small boat moorings and regular shore boat service, as well as places to eat and drink and bbq/picnic facilities. Avalon is the most developed with several restaurants, shopping, bars, etc. The Isthmus has only one restaurant/bar but much more beach. For those looking for a more removed locale, there are several coves and beaches on the front side of the island without facilities. Many people make the crossing in 15's and up (I'd recommend against taking 13 out there). It's a safe passage, particularly if it's done with buddy boats (with the usual caveat about weather). I've made hundreds of crossings in my old 17 and my current 18 over 30 years. I've only had to turn around once. The weather can get bad, but the forecasts almost always tell you first, so surprises are almost nonexistent. Generally speaking, winds are calm in the a.m. and build to 10-15 knots in the afternoon. The good news is that the trip back is downwind. I'd think September. Daytime temps and weather are best then, and the kids are back in school, so you miss the summer crowds. If, on the day of the trip, the forecast looks iffy, each port has points of interest that might make a good plan B. San Pedro, Long Beach and Alamitos Bay are all part of the greater Los Angeles Harbor complex, which (I think) is the busiest commercial port in the country and has lots of interesting nooks and crannies to see. Newport has an extensive private boat harbor, and if you don't mind going 5 mph, it can make an enjoyable afternoon cruise. There is also Laguna Beach 7-14 miles to the south. Dana Point is a very small harbor, but Laguna Beach is just up the coast.
fluke	posted 07-25-2011 09:25 PM ET (US) Saturday I went to the back side of Santa Cruz Island, Yellow Banks looking for white sea bass very flat 80 miles in total, so these little whalers can make it weather permiting. I was thinking an overnighter would be a blast, hope we get more input, hard to beat the NorCal rendevous at Bodega set a very high Mark! Mark
lizard	posted 07-26-2011 10:35 PM ET (US) fluke- Did you do this in a Montauk? What time and what location did you depart from?
fluke	posted 07-28-2011 10:23 AM ET (US) Lizard yes in my 1988 17' montauk, left Santa Barbara harbor at 8:30 got to Santa Cruz Island at 9:45. Nice conditions allowed me to cruise around the back side. The distance is close to Catalina I think so could be done with nice seas. John Mirassou has done the trip countless times he would be a fun guest too! I've only been there once by the cat ferry, but would love to go back with a boat and stay a day or two Mark
Chuck Tribolet	posted 07-28-2011 09:03 PM ET (US) If you guys get this going, Adm. Linda and I just might come down and dive. Chuck
sblack	posted 08-02-2011 01:27 AM ET (US) Oh boy this sounds like fun. My fishing buddy and I are planning our annual Labor Day 5-6 day trip to San Clemente Island, then to Catalina and finishing with Santa Barbara Island then back home to San Diego. Regardless of this trip, my schedule is pretty flexible afterwards to come up and spend 2-3 days at Catalina and if I come alone, I can take 2 more people onboard for the night if anyone needs a place to stay. It's tight on a 25 Revenge, but it works & is fun. At any rate, my schedule is flexible and I would love to cruise up to CI (hopefully at Isthmus Cove) from San Diego to meet up with a group of Whalers. With any luck there would be some Kelp Paddie fish for dinner. I will keep following this link and send out my contact information if things solidify. I would be happy to help coordinate this also.