[jephotog]

A friend wants to buy a boat to live on. She wants a cheap floating condo and is looking at a Hunter 35 and has tracked down a good deal on one in the Bay Area.

I am considering helping her bring it home to SoCal. What would that delivery be like this time of year? I know it is very weather dependent but in general how are these waters this time of year? Are the ports of Monterey and Moro Bay accessible if the weather turns?

 

[aloof]

Monterey is an all-weather port of refuge. Morro bay is not. It is a simple trip in fair NW weather. But not recommended if a low pressure system is approaching. Forecasts are reliable. S of Pt. Arguello there is not much worry other than no wind at all. It is not uncommon for various fools to attempt the passage in the face of poor forecasts. Remember: downwind is better.

 

[gamayun]

Down wind is your friend, but I've done a handful of passages to Half Moon Bay and one to Monterey where I was mostly motoring because drifting was just too painful and would take too long. A reliable engine is necessary IMO. You should not have any problem forecasting a good 4-5 day weather window, which is pretty decent right now.

 

[paul323]

I have not done that trip myself, but want to and have been talking to folks here for a while. From what I understand, this time of year is very good for the trip. In summer the winds can get light - which is odd, as it is blowing hard in the bay (convection wind to Central Valley, I guess). I have been becalmed at the Farralones in August! In winter, (normally) some pretty intense storm systems come through.

it is a well-documented route, so check the weather first, it is indeed useful to motor - generally little or no wind overnight this early in the spring. Make sure the boat has the right emergency kit, and flick through a cruisers guide for this stretch of coast. The SF-Half Moon bay-Monterey leg will be a nice and easy warm-up for the remaining part of the journey, where ports become more spaced out.

Have fune! Should be a great cruise.

 

[Scotty C-M]

Great time of year for the trip. Make sure the weather window is good and be sure the boat and crew are up to the trip. Preparation is key!!

 

[capttb]

I've not been in to Monterey but I'll only go in to Morro Bay in fair weather and visibility. It's a long winding sand filled channel in AND they are ALWAYS dredging so you never know where the dredger, pipeline and channel will be. There is a public dock with showers in the park for sailors and other homeless types.
99% is a downhill milkrun, most wind in the afternoon, dies at sunset then it may pick up for a couple hours if you get a "sundowner". By 10 or 12 PM you'll probably have to motor until wind starts again at 10 am (if lucky) or later.
I used to think stories of Pt. Conception "overblown" but to my misfortune I've seen it go from mild to wild like someone flicking a switch. Because you can be enveloped by a gale without notice I'd want a fair amount of confidence in the boat.

 

[SloopJonB]

This was Morro Bay FWIW.

 

[paul323]

Monterey is not bad to enter - it is normally sheltered from most weather, as it is tucked "around the corner" from Point Pinos. Santa Cruz (opposite) is generally okay, but needs good timing when the waves are pounding the breakwater; unless there is a major storm, one or both should be accessible.

Half Moon Bay is also a safe refuge, but reguires some careful chartwork to get in if your are unfamiliar, especially at night. But the channels are well marked; respect the navigation marks and you'd be fine.

Morrow Bay and Pt Conception give people the most anxiety. But going "downhill", as you will be, is generally a lot easier than going the other way.

 

[jephotog]

Thanks everyone for the advice. Its been a while since I have thought about a long sail like this. Between work and racing every weekend. I have not been doing much pleasure sailing and would really like to do a nice long sail like this. Many years ago I learned to sail in San Francisco and Ventura so this coast has always had an interest for me. All your stories about this trip including Moro Bay was what I was thinking. But I was not aware this was a good time of year to do this though and am excited to try it. Hopefully she buys the boat.

 

[jephotog]

I used to think stories of Pt. Conception "overblown" but to my misfortune I've seen it go from mild to wild like someone flicking a switch. Because you can be enveloped by a gale without notice I'd want a fair amount of confidence in the boat.

Exactly what i was thinking. Since the surveyor has offered to deliver the boat. with only her on board, I feel he has enough knowledge and confidence in the boat, its a good sign. I would bring a few extra crew members.

 

[gamayun]

I did the trip north from San Diego to San Francisco in mid June with two other people on a 36' boat. Thought it was perfect with everyone taking 3-hour shifts, which allowed enough time to get decent sleep (provided you hit the berth right away) with the watches short enough to not cause much fatigue. Conditions were also pretty mild because we waited for a southerly shift in the weather. Did it in long hops with stops at Two Harbors, Santa Barbara, and Half Moon Bay. As noted by others, do not cut the corners at Half Moon Bay -- make sure you're lining up with the next channel marker and not skipping the sequence.

 

[SloopJonB]

I've heard lots over the years about Point Conception - the Cape Horn of California and similar.

How far away does this point stir up the weather? Why can't you just sail some miles west before turning north and avoid the turmoil?

 

[aloof]

I've heard lots over the years about Point Conception - the Cape Horn of California and similar.

How far away does this point stir up the weather? Why can't you just sail some miles west before turning north and avoid the turmoil?

The local wisdom is to hug the coastline when going north. Southbound, re the OP, the capes are generally not an issue in the prevailing NW'ly weather. A fast boat can make great time and barely feel the seas. A wallowing pig of a boat may have a long windy cold slog thru quartering seas. Northbound between Cabo San Lucas and the Golden Gate one generally proceeds motorsailing with "one foot on the beach". There is often a countercurrent, and each cape can be approached in it's lee. At most of the capes the worst conditions are 20 miles N or S of the cape itself. At Conception the gales blow far out to sea and by rounding close to shore one is able to get some protection from Cape Arguello a short distance N. Rounding conditions there can be worse. The other capes can be just as bad: Cape San Martin, Pt. Sur, Ano Nuevo, etc.

Fog is a big problem this time of year.

Weather forecasts for the capes are not reliable regarding the actual conditions. Small changes with direction, seas, and thermal conditions inland can make conditions far better or far worse than forecast in the immediate area of the cape. One just has to go take a look, stick ones nose out and see.

S bound when there is a low approaching California is when fools try the passage. Common until about May.