Treacherous Catalina channel crossing

[Rolf]

This relates to The Perfect Storm. Had a great turkey day in Catalina after a smooth, fast 16 knot crossing over in light air and swell in my 90 horse 26x. Saw one other 26m(blue) there with a 60 hors Yamaha. Woke up Saturday to stiff breeze, heard weather forecast of 20 knot breezes increasing to 40 later on, decide to head for home.

My intuition told me to leave the ballast tank full, and I'm glad I did! The first five miles protected by the southern lee of the island , I'm doing a smooth 14 knots, then-- all hull broke loose! Conditions deteriorate to a strong 25 knot west gale producing 3-4 foot chop and 6-7 foot swell beating on my beam as well. My dodger/connector bimini help but I am soon drenched from this sideways assault. Wife and kid go underneath but soon return up top-- they rather be a little wet(they are fairly protected in top starboard cockpit seat) than seasick. The only thing positive was that the sun was out.

Although it was holding a steady course, I finally relieved the auto pilot and slowed down from 12 to 9 knots-- this did the trick as I obviously was able to anticipate swells better and "kept us dry" the rest of the way.

2 hours and 45 minutes we were back from definitely the scariest ride I've had to date in my Mack.

Most of the worry came from having my family aboard and uncomfortable, but I must say the boat handled like a champ. I had a slight amount of c/b down, and and the boat tracked and broke through swells and chop admirably. Main worries centerd on something breaking (steering) or engine cutting out-- you never know.

20 minutes after we arrived at Cabrillo launch, the 26m showed up! He also said it was roughest he'd seen, and had 5 other people on board with no cockpit protection! I did not see any other trailerable make the crossing.
Rolf

[Gerald Gordon]

Wow!!! The things that go through your mind!!! I used to stow things so so, tie crapy knots etc. Not anymore. I have seen what it means to have my boat ship shape.

[Bobby T.-26X #4767]

good thing you had the extra power!



i'm a bit jealous of your experience, but my wife definitely is NOT!
when did you get the dodger?
i'm thinking of getting one too.

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

Freightening Story ... specially with the FAMILY on board
But, further proof that the MAC is tough and I've become more convenienced seeing events, and hearing stories such as this. SOUNDS like nothing ended up BROKEN. Something great to enter into your BOAT LOG !
Happy Sailing

[Rolf]

Bob,
I've had the dodger and bimini for a couple of years now- got them made by www.harborcustomcanvas.com here in Long Beach. First rate people and first rate work -- check them out. I may upgrade it to a full enclosure! The 90 horse is the best-- pushed my ballasted, loaded down boat straight through the wind swell and chop.

I listened to the weather radio, but next time I'm suspicious I'm going to talk to harbor master-- maybe wait it out or send family home on the Catalina Express!

I keep replaying the journey over in my mind and you know what??

I kind of enjoyed it! I may be developing an appetite for "heavy water boating"!
Rolf

[Bobby T.-26X #4767]

very cool!

[waternwaves]

Rolf.............

heheheh

only in moderation!

[delevi]

Should have tried sailing back with reefed main and partially furled jib. The boat typically handles better under sail than under power in heavy winds, provided you reef, maximize sail twist, flaten the sail as much as possible and spill air during gusts. 35 knts wind is extreme but I have sailed in such conditions (twice.) Hard work, a bit scary, but fun. Of course, you wouldn't make the same speed that you did under power with your 90. I'm a bit jealous too. I have the e-tec 50, which I am very happy with, but if I could do it over again, I would get a 90 or at least a 70. Trouble is, in moderate to heavy chop, there is so much splash that yuou can't go past 8-9 knots anyway. Can certainly understand you not wanting to take any chances with the family on board.

By the way... does the dodger get in the way of the boom and/or traveler? I noticed that you have an X, so you may not have a traveler. I'm not sure if the main sheet position is different on the vs the , as well as the travaler issue.

Fair Winds,

[TonyHouk]

Hey All,
I have the video of the Smart rails in action. I know for sure that you would not have been soaked with them installed on your boat. If you would like me to email them to you just send me your email address. They are expensive but they are worth it!!!!!!!! I will see about putting them on the net somewhere. Happy motorsailing, Tony

[Rolf]

Until I slowed down, the only thing that would have kept us dry in that wind and swell is a barn door! Boom clears the dodger, need to retract 6foot 3 inch bimini to use main sail ( I need to unclip backstay to retract this taller bimini--headroom worth it!)

[aya16]

Rolf Ready to do it again next week? Im going over the 9th. If it gets that bad again we could lash our boats together with boat hooks and sail like a cat.

[Rolf]

Mike I was actually going to go over there then, but Christmas and family have caught up with me. I have my girl's 5 year birthday scheduled for that weekend now. Slight chance I may head over betrween Christmas and New Year's, but most likely next trip will be in Jan or Feb. BTW, do Avalon in the Winter-- its practically deserted, nice warm restaurants and the casino theater at night to stay warm! I'll keep you posted.
Rolf

[Mark Karagianis]

Hey, can you guys do a new post "Crossing to Catalina" on Upcoming Events? That way it is easy to see and you might get more boats.

Christmas fol-de-rol has got me too - I'm hoping to go after New Years' Day.

Mark Karagianis