Sailing Southern CA- Ventura to San Diego

livnthedream · #1 (**permalink**) 05-04-2009

I am buying a boat in Ventura, CA- at Channel Islands and am sailing it down to San Diego. I am picking it up (1987 Catalina 34) May 16th and was thinkng I would sail it from Channel Islands to Newport Beach in 1 day, and then Newport Beach to San Diego the next day? This is going to be my first Coastal Cruising for an extended period and was wondeirng if anyone has done that sail and has any suggestions/advice? I'm 25yrs old and am sailing down with a couple friends. Thanks!!

jbrockpiano · #2 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009

Add at least a couple of days to your plans. You must account for weather and
refueling. Also on a boat new to you it is possible you might encounter mechanical challenges. Wind is fickle in Southern California. Good luck on your trip.

livnthedream · #3 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009

thanks for the response. Ya, I was thinking if need be I could always stop in Redondo or LA first and then oceanside as well. Hopefully there is enough wind though that I was thinking I wouldnt really need to motor that much.

windward54 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009

Redondo Beach does not have a lot of guest spots. You might want to think about Ventura to Isthmus Cove or Cat Harbor at Two Harbors/Catalina. That would give you a good angle to head for either Dana Point or Newport Beach.

livnthedream · #5 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009

Windward-

I like the Catalina suggestion to do on the first leg! Plus I can then hang around Catalina for a day or 2 and then head down to Dana Point and stay the night and then make the final stretch to SD the following day.

swadiver · #6 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009

Livin,

If Newport Beach is in your plans there are only 5 guest slips and they are first come first serve. Contact the Harbor Master/Harbor Patrol. There is the possibility of picking up a mooring in the harbor, again contact the Harbor Master. Newport does have a free anchorage in the turning basin but I think your stay is limited and depending on the time of year you are required to stay on your boat. You are going to have a great time. When I bought my Catalina 30, I motor/sailed solo from Oceanside to Long Beach. As someone said before plan extra time for unknown problems. I had cooling problems on my trip and it took longer than I had planned.

svHyLyte · #7 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009

The trip you are contemplating is not inconsequential, particularly if you are sailing a yacht new to you and your experience is limited. From Channel Islands to Two-Harbors is about 65-70 miles (nautical) and likely a good 12 hour trip. It might be wiser to make your first leg to Marina Del Rey and then, if all goes well, to make the jump to Two Harbors, and .from there directly to San Diego or, for harbor hopping, to Dana Point and down the coast. If you are not acquainted with Newport harbor, it might be wise to skip that in favor of Dana which is more accomodating.

FWIW...

s/v HyLyte

windward54 · #8 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009

Going to MDR will shave off an hour or two on the first leg, but adds the time onto the second leg as Palos Verdes Pennensula gets in the way. Plus it blocks wind. The advantage of heading to Catalina is having a great angle on the second day.

Newport is a GREAT place to stop. SWADIVER is right in that there are only 5 guest slips, but there are a ton on moorings available. The Harbor Patrol is helpful, and even told me that they have NEVER run out of moorings. Best part is the cost. There are available for $5 a night. Couple of things to remember though; there is no shoreboat and you need two very long lines as the mooring cans are fore and aft. That means you have to run one line on your foward cleat and back all thge way to the aft can. Most cleat the lines on either side of the boat in a V. The smaller the boat, the longer the lines that are needed.

Dana Point is also a great stop. Best part is if you need to stop on a weekend, they will accept reservations for the guest slips. The phone number is (949) 496-6137. They will require a copy of your doc paper or registration as well as proof of liability insurance. Plenty of restaurants within walking distance and it is a fun harbor to stop in. Be ready for afternoon wind. It does tend to blow hard on that side of the marina in the late afternoon.

livnthedream · #9 (**permalink**) 05-06-2009

Thank you everyone for your responses!!! They are a HUGE help. I will keep you guys posted on what my trip ends up being and how everything goes! Again, I really do appreciate all of the advice!! I am sooo excited to have my boat soon and having the opportunity to sail as often as possible and sharpening my skills and all of the other life benefits that sailing has to offer!!!

SeekerSkip · #10 (**permalink**) 05-10-2009

Congratulations on your purchase -- you should have a great time!

I agree with all that has been said before, but I would also recommend that you leave a float plan, or at least a schedule, with someone reliable enough to notify the Coast Guard if you are late in arriving at one of your destinations.

We have done the Channel Islands - Catalina - Sand Diego trip several time and will be doing it again in August. We found that the wind was not reliable enough to count on quick passages by sail alone, so make allowance (either fuel-wise or time-wise) in the eventuality that you have a very calm trip.

SeekerSkip
Caliber LRC 40