Got Beat Up going to Catalina

[McSkipper]

Sorry to hear about your rough ride this past weekend Jetta. That will be an "adventure" that will long out last the soreness of your hand.
I suggest you consider listing the suggestions made herein and what you might do differently next time.

My grandpa always said; "Never fear the ocean, but always respect it." Thanks for reminding me of that.

My mate and I have made numerous trips to Catalina and to Little Harbor on the west side south of Two Harbours. I make it a rule to head out early after checking conditions. So far so good except for one night crossing - our last night crossing. The conditions in the middle of the channel, where the seas get a chance to build coming down the channel, got dicey. We made the Ismus with one mate not feeling too good and not too happy about me .

Anyway, like Duane, my worst experience was on a lake. Lake Mead. Man it got nasty quick with 3-4 ft chop coming every 3-4 ft. I'll never forget having to take it on the beam for as long as we needed to to get to shelter. The cabin was a mess but our 2000 was unscathed.

I am curious and don't understand what I read about sailing w/o ballast in rough conditions and will post a question to that matter.
Get back on the bicycle asap
Skip

[jetta01]

The only reason I tried dumping the ballast was to get more power. With the ballast, I could not keep up with the swells. Even without the ballast, I could only go about 9 knots when on the back of the swell. I thought that maybe keeping up with them (surfing) might be the answer. The problem was that after dumping the ballast in those conditions, you can't really get it full again.

I have no way to verify, but I am almost willing to bet that when the motor came up out of the water, we probably only had a half of the ballast. Half ballast makes life worse since the water is sloshing from side to side acting like 3 or 4 extra people suddenly appeared and jumped on the same side of the boat at the same time.

[jetta01]

Oh ya, to answer the what would I do different next time question...

Based on Roger's comment that the boat is only self-righting when the ballast is full....I will keep the tank full. After almost going into the drink, it would be nice to at least know that I should come back up-right.

[Frank C]

FWIW -
that's one spot where (IMO) the 14" prop has paid its way, in spades~!

(Not sure why yours was only making 9 kn, you probably needed about 12).

[Rolf]

I've been too and from Catalina at least 30 times in my 2002x. The x will handle almost any conditions motoring except of course actual storms. You learn by experience to leave EARLY if trying to make a quick, uneventful crossing (Ive done it in 65 minutes avg 18 knots).

That said, we don't hesitate to leave in the afternoon wind and chop with rudders up, ballast EMPTY. This, along with a larger engine (like my tohatsu 90) and a simple autopilot(sportpilot plus) give me complete control and a comfortable ride so long as I don't go past 11-12 knots, maybe slower.

The key is TORQUE. The light boat is easily controlled with the larger prop and all I have to do is stand watch for freak waves and manipulate the throttle accordingly. The engine and autopilot will do most of the work. It also is important to have a good dodger and bimini with connector in order to stay dry and comfortable. Believe me I learned that the hard way early when I was often soaked and family seasick underneath Now we're all outside and dry(except 4 year old Ava who associates the engine with night time and instantly falls asleep below!).

The Mac is a bare bones very affordable boat. Putting a few thou towards upgrades makes her and outstanding channel crosser.

Rolf

[mermaelee]

That sounds about right description for the way back. 9-15 knots variation due to the swell surfing. I came back Sunday from 4-7pm. The sea was not confused if you headed from west end to huntington beach. It was all down wind and swell. You just had to stay active at the helm. I did notice the older macs at Cat harbor anchored and side tied together. Were you the blue M that was at a mooring at Cat harbor. I was the X with the rainbow tent like cover near the Loading pier at Cat harbor.

p.s. You just get used to that good old piece of ocean that lies between us and Catalina. Was your wife ninja kicking the galley fiberglass to vent out her rage and frustration? If not then hey, you had a great trip!

[jetta01]

Hey Mermaelee,

Yup, that was us on the blue 05 26m on the mooring ball about mid harbor.

She wasn't kicking fiberglass, she was too busy hanging on! We had her mother on board for her first trip on our boat as well. That made it even harder because we were not just worried about killing ourselves, we had an inicent bystander with us!

[nemo]

Rolf,

Since you've done the Catalina trip so many times, I'd like your opinion on the topic of having ballast in or our while motoring in rougher seas. If I understand right, you pick your timing on the weather and then cruise across without ballast as fast as comfortable.

What do you recommend if the weather picks up and seas get rough? Is it better in that case to have a totally full ballast or empty (assume you are motoring for this part of the thread)? Or do you keep motoring with empty ballast?

Others can give their opinions to, but I'd appreciate hearing from Rolf or Duane or any others who have some serious hours of experience in the matter -

thanks,

[nemo]

Whoops - just caught my same question on empty or full ballast in rough conditions was asked in another recent thread "MT Ballast in rough conditions?" so it might be best to respond in that thread - I'm all ears. This is a very important topic for all of us.

[Rolf]

Nemo I'll reply here but feel free to post to mt ballast thread if you like.
The most important factor in my opinion is to pick full ballast or mt ballast BEFORE leaving your mooring/dock and then hitting rough water. Like reefing, once it gets rough, it is already too late to stop and mess around with tank/rudders while boat is getting tossed--kind of like stopping in the middle of the road to change a flat tire. My first crossing to Catalina was spontaneous, quick and uneventful(I was by myself). Full of confidence, I started my return in late afternoon and hit rough water chop-- boat began to pound. I tried to fill ballast tank and finally did, but by then it was getting dark so I returned to Avalon all wet(before I had dodger/bimini) for a cold night(luckily found a nice blanket in town).

With no ballast I just feel more in control-- the long boat is much easier to turn into or away from swells as needed. If I had more than my family aboard and it was REALLY rough, I wouldn't hesitate to add ballast first for safety--with the autopilot doing most of the hard helm work gas would be the only issue. It just seems like the few times I've elected to go the ballast full route, I've regretted it. Use your own judgement and STAY SAFE.
Rolf

[Rolf]

One more thing-- I always have a portable vhf, cell phone, flare/whistle emergency kit and some sort of inflatable all ready and easily accessible in case disaster should strike--