Channel Islands

[delevi]

The Admiral and I are starting to plan a trip to So Cal at the end of August and would like to sail the Channel Islands. We'll have about a week (5 days to sail & 2 travel days to LA and back to San Francisco.) I would like to do 3-4 islands. Most likely 3, since we want to spend some time ashore. Catalina is a must. Looking for recommendations for other islands. Also, how are the winds 20 miles+ offshore? I know So Cal is typically light. I would love to do most of the voyage under sail. Is this realistic in typical conditions? I do have a genoa and spinnaker, but would prefer not be under way for more than 8 hours on any give day. Thx

Leon

[hartflat]

Hi Leon,

This is a good time to explore the islands of SoCal. The weather's great!

Anacapa Is. from Channel Is. Harbor in Oxnard is a pleasant day sail. The launch ramp & guest slip facilities are very user friendly & inexpensive. If you go to Anacapa, motoring, (1 1/2 hrs.) or motorsailing (2 1/2 - 3 hrs.) in the morning is your best bet, since winds are usually light in the morning. Returning back in the afternoon offers better sailing conditions. Anchorages are not very well protected, so if you plan on anchoring overnight & the winds are from the west, or northwest, east fish camp would be a good anchorage choice. You can motor to Anacapa, circle the island & return to Oxnard without switching tanks.

Although I have'nt been to Santa Cruz yet, It would definately be the best choice for exploring & sight seeing if time & extra provisions are available. Again, Oxnard would be the most convenient starting point.

I've motored to Two Harbors, Catalina from Marina Del Rey (33 NM) with an Etech 50 @ 4500 RPM's & it took me 2 1/2 hrs & 12 Gal. before I had to switch tanks about 5 mi. out. I filled up at the harbor, but gas is expensive there. As with Oxnard, MDR offers very little morning wind for swift sailing, but it does pick up in the afternoon. MDR has descent guest slips, OK restroom & showers at Burton Chase park, but the parking/launch fees are pricier & there are no in/out priveleges. Check with HardCrab from Ridgecrest, he's been to Catalina several times.

Dana Point is another option for Catalina (Long Beach & surrounding ports are closer, but I enjoyed my stay at Dana Point). Dana point has, by far, the nicest guest slips & facilities. They are pricier than MDR, but they do take reservations. Winds are light to calm throughout the day, but pick up ocassionally in the afternoon.

If you don't already have it, Fagan's California Coastal Cruising is a must have book. Everything you need to know is covered by Fagan's book.

I've got a hankerin' to go sailing either at Channel Is. Harbor, or MDR in August... If I do, maybe we'll cross paths.

Enjoy you sailing!

[David Mellon]

If you want the shortest trip with the best facility to Catalina the South Shore ramp on Queensway near the Queen Mary in Long Beach is your best bet by far. There is a closer ramp at Cabrillo Beach but it is not as comfortable to use. The South Shore facility is protected, large and well laid out and I make the trip in about 100 minutes depending on weather. Best to leave early and motor over. You can find a lot of info searching the subject on this site.

[Bobby T.-26X #4767]

those that are familiar w/ the narrow passage between the mainland and the channel islands will attest to it's rough waters and strong prevailing winds.
very different from the passage to Catalina (from Marina Del Rey, Long Bch, and ports south).
so, be prepared...

another thing to keep in mind is that there are no services at Santa Cruz island (and other channel islands) versus the gas, food & lodging at Catalna.
therefore, being miserly with your fuel & supplies is a must!

from channel islands or ventura harbors it's about 25miles to Pelican Bay on Santa Cruz island. that's a favorite spot.
it's best to leave car and trailer at channel islands marina if you're looking to save $$$ (e.g. IIRC, ventura harbors is a bit more expensive, while santa barbara marina is outta control as it charges $17/day to park w/trailer).

also remember that there are "NO fishing" restrictions in and around much of the channel islands.

Bob T.
"DāBob"
'02X w/ '04 90-TLDI (14" x 11 pitch)
Dinghy Motor: '06 2.5-Suzuki

[Hardcrab]

Can't talk to Channel Islands. Never been, can't imagine us going.

Some MDR parking facts for non-mast up folks:
$7/24 hours for launch ramp and parking. $5/24 hours for parking only (no trailer with vehicle).
Pay at unmanned kiosk, gate arm raises. I think it will take credit cards, not sure.
If staying more than 48 hours, call a posted number, leave message with reason for extension, if you get no call back you're good. Strange system.
Trailer must be attached to vehicle while parked.
No exit/re-enter parking without paying again. No limit on launch or retrieve.
Multiple tickets to cover any extended time over 24 hours are bought all at once at the kiosk. Even though they will be printed for the same 24 hour period, the police will know you have paid for the extra time. Tickets are displayed on dash, face up. $90 parking ticket if not face up. I know this. Don't ask.
Sercuity seems to be fine. I've had no problems in 3 years.
Sleeping in boat/vehicle seems to be okay if late night arrival.
Fresh water wash down spots. .50 cents for 3 or 4 rip off minutes. Bring quarters and hose.

Guest slips at MDR (Burton Chase Park) facts:
50 cents per foot/day.
Up to seven days in a 30 day period as measured from your first use.
Boat must be tied up before you can pay. No "walk-ins" with a boat "coming soon" allowed.
Check-out by noon on last day.
First come-first served. No reservations. 30 something spots available.
Key card issued for dock entrance gates and boaters head.
Usually spots are open, but watch out for Saturday, it can get full. No problems weekdays.
30A shore power, water at each spot.
Showers available. BBQ grills, park benches, etc. on shore.
First time in needs boat registration.
Can tie up any time. If after 9:00pm, pay in the morning.
4 hr spaces available 24/7, no fee.
Roaming security guard in park all night after 9:00pm
Easy 2-3 block walk to grocery store, resturants, West Marine.

[bastonjock]

i estimate that your GPS is off by about 5000 miles,the channels islands are between the Uk and france

[delevi]

Looking at the map, it looks like I would have to reverse my originally conceived route. Considering the NW winds, it wouldn't make sense to start out of Long Beach to Catalania and head NW. Insetead, we will probably launch out of Port Hueneme, hit Santa Cruz, then take the long downwind run to Santa Barabara, then Catalina. Looks like there is no avoiding motoring back to Port Hueneme frin Catalina since it's 65 miles NW. From what you guys are telling me, the only island with servies is Catalina. How about Santa Cruz & Santa Barbara? Are they at least semi-civilized or uninhabited? Are we talking gunkholing or are there actual marinas with docs. Restaurants or full provisioning on board? Seems like it's the later. Admiral may not like that Sort of got our fill with that when we cruised Sea of Cortez foa week. Litterally zero civilazation. Provisioned for a full week and slept in coves on the hook. I don't mind that, but it's nice to have some amenities on shore.

Bobby,
How are the winds between Santa Cruz & Catalina? Also, is there are Marina at Port Hueneme? Seems like a better place to start/finish then Ventura for the trip I intend to take, but not familiar with the area.

Thanks everyone. Great info so far.

Leon

[Hardcrab]

Delvi,
No services at all on any of the Channel Islands.
You're on the hook, period.
Some of the islands you can't even go ashore to look around, as I understand it.

It's not our vision of a swell vacation destination, but to each their own.

Catalina is a different bucket of fish.
Hook if you want in many anchorages, or Avalon and Two Harbors for mooring with no dock power, but everything else ashore.
Great fishing, diving, snorkleing (?), rent bikes, kayaks, take inland Hummer tours to find the buffalo, plenty to do.
Even a dinghy is not a solid need; you can call a water taxi. $8 per head, one way.

Not sure about Port H. (why-nee-me), but Channel Island Harbor has ramps, parking, guest slips, showers, etc.
It's about halfway between the two you have mentioned.

[Bobby T.-26X #4767]

there's no public docks, launching, slips at Hueneme harbor. it's part of the military base i believe.
so...it's either Channel Islands Harbor or Ventura Harbor.
they're both abt equal. i believe the parking is a better situation at Channel Islands as the guest slips & shower facilities are right there.
both marinas have the 50¢ per minute wash down (what a crock!).

and as previously said, only Catalina has services (gas, food lodging), none of the Channel Islands have anything. in fact I believe that you're very limited as to trekking on the islands. only permitted to take dinghy to shore and stand at water line, no further (for the most part).

winds are generally good, vs south of there. however, not as good as bay area.
the trek from Catalina to Ventura is the rough stretch w/ wind/seas off your port bow.
depending on the reach, there's some good sailing opportunities.

Bob T.
"DāBob"
'02X w/ '04 90-TLDI (14" x 11 pitch)
Dinghy Motor: '06 2.5-Suzuki

[Finn]

Hello Leon

I have been reading the information on this web site for some time now. I believe Captain Dan Ryder's assessments of these islands incl. the anchorages might be very correct and useful in planning your trip. I'm still learning to sail and hope to go to Anacapa Island for a short visit then sail on to Santa Cruz Island and stay in Smugglers Cove for the night.

If you read the various pages, you will see that you have to bring everything with you - perhaps most important enough water and fuel.

Enjoy planning and executing your journey.

Finn

Here is the link: http://www.sailchannelislands.com/calif ... ling/?p=60
Click on "Navigation" when you open the page.

[delevi]

Looks like Catalina will be home base, launching out of Long Beach. We'll probably spend majority of our time there and maybe hit Santa Barabara, then either Santa Cruz or back to Catalina... probably only go further north if there's decent wind. Don't want to risk running out of fuel in case we need to make the 80+ trek back south. Admiral may not want any more time on the hook, but if she's up for it, we may do San Clemente as well. All are 30-65 miles which are doable in a day if winds cooperate. Are the prevailing winds from the West or NorthWest?

Thanks everyone for the great info.

Leon

[Finn]

Leon,

I believe the winds will be more southwesterly in the afternoon - at least between here and Catalina. You might want to check this site maintained by UCLA at their training facility in the Marina del Rey marina.

http://marinaaquaticcenter.org/weather/ ... itions.htm

Finn

[Hamin' X]

Here are a couple of sites with the up to date marine weather that you will need:

NWS Marine Weather

Weather Underground Marine Weather

Scroll down about half way on this one, to Marine Links.

~Rich

[delevi]

Looks like anything from W to WNW to NW for the next week according to NOAA. I'll be hoping for Westerlies, except for the initial sail to Catalina from Long Beach.

[delevi]

Oops, looks like Westerlies is what I want and probably will get

David,

Re: Queensway ramp. Is the bridge high enough to pass under with mast up?