Monterey, CA - Slip Availability + Sailing Conditions

[NCC320]

I am considering the possibility of moving our Catalina 22 to the Monterey CA area....Monterey or Moss Landing. What is the availability of slips and costs? Are there waiting lists and how long would be a typical wait? For those of you who have sailed out of this area, would the C22 be suited to sailing this area winter and summer? What would be typical wind ranges for each season?

[okawbow]

I'm from the midwest, but my son lives in Monterey. Last year, I sailed a 30' sloop in Monterey Bay in winds that the owner said was "normal" conditions for August. The wind was averaging about 15 kts. Swells were big enough to be a concern when running down wind. I asked about conditions in winter, and he said the sailing was good, with average winds a little higher than summer. If I remember correctly; slips were expensive and hard to get, but moorings were only about $75-100 per month, not counting dingy dockage. It's often cool and foggy in the summer.

[Fstbttms]

A 22-foot boat is about the minumum size I'd feel comfortable in on San Francisco Bay. Considering that Monterey Bay is substantially less protected, my guess is that your Catalina 22 is not really suitable for the conditions. But others may disagree.

[KeelHaulin]

I would tend to agree with fstbttms; Monterey is not a protected area along the coast because it faces north from the bottom side of Monterey Bay. The same is true for Moss Landing but to a bit lesser extent because it is in the middle of the bay not the south end. The problem is that ocean swell can come right into the enterance at Moss Landing; which has put many sailboats onto the beach or the jetty over the years. Many times during the winter the marina at Monterey is closed to traffic by the USCG because of the dangerous breaking swell that occurs right outside of the breakwater.

It might be possible to keep a boat at Santa Cruz if you dry store it on a trailer; then put a lifting eye system in it so you can drop it in with the boom crane. I'm not sure if there is space available but there are lots of boats (mostly Santa Cruz 24's) stored on trailers in a gated area at the Santa Cruz marina.

Another thing to be concerned with at Monterey are the sea lions who love to climb aboard (squashing stancions, overloading/sinking, and pooping all over) unattended boats in the mooring field. I don't know if they do this to berthed boats but I would be sure and check on it first.

[miekish]

I'm also moving up to Monterey and looking to buy my first sailboat. I've had my eye on a Catalina 250, but some people have said that a 25 ft boat is too small for Monterey also. Does anyone have any advice?