Need my boat sailed from Dana Point to San Pedro

wzhannig · #1 (**permalink**) 01-31-2007

I am looking for someone to help sail my boat from Dana POint CA to San Pedro. I just bought a Catalina 27 and know nothing about sailing (always wanted to learn). I am berthing it at San Pedro - Cabrillo Marina but purchased it in Dana Point so I have to get it up there. Looking to do this on Feb. 8th 07. PLease let me know if interested. credentials and references would be great.
Thanks,
Louise
email: wzhannig@gmail.com

Aasem · #2 (**permalink**) 01-31-2007

I live in San Pedro, and my boat is near your new marina.

I'm tempted to help, but I'm concerned about the little outboard. Do you know how fast it will push your boat? How fast does it burn fuel?

Motoring 50 miles sounds tedious with the outboard and, with prevailing winds, most of your passage will likely be under power. However, winds are coming from all directions these days, and the forecasts are changing hourly. Still, it SHOULD be easily doable in one day.

Do you and your sister get seasick? Do you know?

You'll want to follow these weather sites carefully:

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/lox/
http://www.nawcwpns.navy.mil/%7Eweat.../analysis.html
http://www.mxsocal.org/weather.aspx
http://www.watchthewater.org/beach.cfm?bid=17

wzhannig · #3 (**permalink**) 01-31-2007

Thanks.
My sister has motor boating experience and does not get sick. THe motor is an Evinrude 8hp 2cyl. ANy further info about the trip would be great

awayocean · #4 (**permalink**) 01-31-2007

Get 150 % of the estimated fuel You will need. If the engine is 2 stroke premix the fuel on shore , get large funnel as well. Do the trip at night / no wind on the nose / Estimate around 12 hours , depart around 8, the next morning before you get to the heavy traffic will be day light. Make sure you have a running lights and a good battery, VHF radio is good idea, radar reflector as well. In case the forecast is for fog, do not proceed. Get a GPS with you.
Good Luck

Edited for size only by Cam

sailingdog · #5 (**permalink**) 01-31-2007

Boating at night in areas that you don't know well is generally not a wise idea. Add to that a boat that you don't know well, and now you're pretty much asking Murphy to take his best shot at you. I would do this trip in the daytime. Doing 25 miles per day isn't all that difficult, especially if you can sail/motorsail it rather than power all the way.

Aasem · #6 (**permalink**) 01-31-2007

I just pulled out a chart. It's only 30 nm from Dana Point to Cabrillo Marina. The course is 288, which will put the wind on the nose on most days.

Since I don't know how well the little outboard will push your boat, it's difficult to predict how long the trip will take. I'm guessing 6-7 hours.

If the winds are typical NW when you leave, and if you don't want to motor, you might want to sail to Avalon, spend the night, and sail to SP the next day. That makes a nice trip. Avalon to SP is generally 3.5-5 hours, depending on wind. Dana Point to Avalon will take a little longer.

Enhydras · #7 (**permalink**) 01-31-2007

Make sure you sign up for Vessel Assist and make sure you list your home port as Cabrillo. That way if you break down on the way you get a free tow home. Make sure you have a working GPS and VHF.

Nathan

EDonWalsh · #8 (**permalink**) 01-31-2007

Louise,
I've read and agree with all the advice that you've received so far. I've often sailed a Catalina 27 which also has an 8 HP 2 stroke. You should be able to maintain 6 knots through the water under motor, but you'll be stemming a 1.5 knot current all the way so plan your trip at 4.5 knots which does make your 8 hours for 33 nm sound reasonable.

If you're looking for somebody to make the trip with you, I might be able to help you. I'm a retired Coast Guardsman with about 40 years of experience on the water, the last 6 years of which are on my own sailboat. With a new berth in San Pedro, I'm assuming that you live somewhere in the South Bay.
I live in Long Beach so it might be possible to work out some type of driving logistics that don't leave me in San Pedro with my car in Dana Point. If your new boat is short on electronics, I can bring my portable VHF and GPS as well as a jumper battery that I carry for emergencies. You can email me directly at edonwalsh@yahoo.com.

Congratulations on you purchase and happy sailing,

Don Walsh

Cruisingdad · #9 (**permalink**) 01-31-2007

WZ,

If you don't take Edon up on that you are crazy. Nice offer Edon. How much rum is it going to cost anyways... and do you start before the trip or after?

Aasem · #10 (**permalink**) 01-31-2007

It sounds like you got a great offer. I'd be interested in knowing how the trip goes, so please post a followup.

Have fun learning to sail, and congrats on the new boat!

Can you post pics of the boat?