1st Overnighter Report

[montenido]

Hi all, we survived the one-night sleepover cruise to Santa Cruz Island. We got a late start (11:00 am) and headed into a brisk 15 knot wind. Towing our inflatable we still managed 5-7 knots, with diesel help occasionally. Made it to the East end on SCI and stopped for lunch in the lee of the island. We looked around and decided to anchor nearby at a spot called Smuggler's Cove. Well, anchoring went without a hitch with a 7:1 rode ratio. After visiting the island and speaking with some nearby yachts, we decided that this particular anchorage was subject to too much backwash and was just too bumpy. So, up the anchor came and we headed west for just about a mile to an anchorage called Yellowbanks. Much smoother and better protected. So down goes the hook again, and we settled in for some fun.
Later, we broke in the new Catalina BBQ for a delicious dinner, and settled in for the night. Of the many things that I learned on this jaunt, the most valuable is that there are many things that will go "bump" in the night. I must have gotten out of bed 6-8 times to track down various sources of noise, partially due to a fairly good breeze blowing. I managed to bump my head and shins several times in the dark, while re-securing the inflatable and kayak. Note to self: bring the kayak aboard at night, it REALLY creates a racket while bumping into things. We all awoke semi-rested and hit the island for some exploring. We got things ready to go and pulled the hook, heading back to Channel Islands Harbor with a following wind. We made it back in under 4 hours, with a visit from a large pod of spinner dolphins.
All in all, everyone judged it a success with small and large lessons to consider for next time (which will be for multiple days). BTW, my new Garmin GPS was really cool to help keep on track.

That is it for now, thanks for reading.

[danielgoldberg]

Excellent story! So glad you and your clan had fun, and I'm sure you'll have many more cruises like that to come.

[chuck5499]

congradulations on a great first night out with the family - hope the next few times go as well as this one did and the entire family can't wait to take her out again -
great family bonding time
chuck and svsoulmates
ki4sry
on the hook in morris cove new haven, ct - waiting out the tstorms

[sailingdog]

Good to hear..

[chucklesR]

Montenido,
Glad to hear things went well except for a little lost sleep.

Things that help the things that bump:
Do the dishes and put them away, clinking plates and glasses suck.
Nothing helps wave slap noise except ear plugs, which should not be worn, your ears are your eyes in the night, would you wear a blind fold?
Put a bungie cord from your halyard to your shrouds to keep it from slapping or humming in the breeze.
Kayaks you know about, either onboard or on a long line.
We have the little battery powered candles you can get at Bed Bath and Beyond, work for days on a single battery and provide a nice flickering glow like a real candle, make wonderful night lights that don't ruin your night vision. One or two in the cabin is all it takes. We put one in each hull and one on the fridge every night. Put one in the head with the door open unless you like splashes.
We have a no-pump unless solid rule for the head at night after bed. It can be rather loud.
Take down the burgees at night, even the sailnet one, no one can see 'em anyway so all they do is chafe on the shrouds.
Either center or hard over your rudder, lift it if it does - and lock it.Tidal currents and make it bump around all night. A little shim to hold it goes a long way.
GPS anchor alarms are useless to wake up anyone - not loud enough unless it is a handheld right next to your ear. If that's what you have, put it there (next to your ear).
Put shorts, tshirt, shoes and a flash light where you know they will be at 4am.Resetting the anchor naked is no fun when everyone is being helpful with 2 million watt torches pointed at you (no personal experience because I plan ahead).
If you wear glasses put a restraining strap on them and keep it on (many many things to bump at night).
Keep the passageway from where you sleep to the cockpit absolutely clear of hazards including the foot pump to the galley sink (personal experience, ouch).
We spent friday and saturday night out on the hook this week. I'm sure others can provide a more extensive list of things to do and not do.

[djodenda]

I'm really glad your first overnighter was a success!

Cruising like this is certainly great "family time" and will provide memories to be cherished. Some of my earliest memories are cruising in our little boat.

As far as things that go "bump" in the middle of the night, we refer to them as "monsters" as in "The tapping monster is here again, I'm going to go kill it" or "The buoy monster is bumping the hull again. I'm going to drown it"

Congrats!

David

[DDawe]

Good to hear - we are starting family cruising and are looking forward to many great nights - even the sleepless ones.

[imagine2frolic]

That's great news, and hopefully all the family will look forward to the next trip!

[jimmalkin]

Montenido - A great first chapter and many more to come! Chuckles has a good list to which I'd add: keep a couple of fenders in/near the cockpit so you can grab them to fend off another boat dragging into you during the night, turn off pressure water pump so it doesn't kick on during the night, keep keys in the ignition and make sure there are no trailing lines or potential hazards should you need to jump up and start the engine in an emergency. You will get used to the usual noises, but it is correct, your ears are your eyes at night and you'll wake up with every wind shift and wave pattern change! And that's part of the experience.

Do well - Jim