Fletcher500
Guru
Hi TFers,
A buddy (Tartan 3500 Sailboat) and I were planning on a few days at San Clemente Island then heading north, but the Navy closures and weather windows were not cooperating for that run. I have been to this Island many times as a kid while working as a deck hand on sport fishing boats in the 80's, and then as a passenger chasing Tuna, but have never anchored there so I am looking forward to making that happen at some point.
After waiting several weeks, we therefore shelved that and went straight to Catalina. The new plan was to continue on to Santa Barbara Island, and then to the northern channels, but I was feeling pretty beat up from a fall the day before I left, then a mild chest infection, an infected toe, and then poking my eye with a sharp object, so I pulled the plug on continuing farther north. We will try again in August.
I therefore did 14 days at Catalina, circling the Island and stopping at various spots. My sailboat buddy boat came out for the last 5 days. My wife did the ferry thing as she was unable to spend the duration out there due to work commitments.
Typical June Grey, and winds most days, but also a few great weather days in between. Water was cool at 61F, and probably one of the reasons I got the chest infection from too much swimming without a wetsuit. I could get away with it in the past, but not now apparently. Getting older.
The back side of Cat is one of the most beautiful examples of what California was like 400 years ago. I believe the rock formations are granite and slate, but others can correct me if I am wrong.
The attached photo is the west end early in the morning and one of my favorite places on the SoCal coast. The water clarity is very good, with lots of wildlife and fish. It always looks a bit ominous at this time when the marine layer is present. When the swells and current meet this narrow point, the swells will often stack up as they move from very deep, to shallow water along the Islands flanks. Moving from 80 ft. of water to 400 ft. (a short distance away) results in smoother runs when the swells are up.
Currently parked in Long Beach. Working on some projects, regrouping, and will head back to SD next week and then hopefully back out to the northern channels in early August.
Cheers, Fletch.
A buddy (Tartan 3500 Sailboat) and I were planning on a few days at San Clemente Island then heading north, but the Navy closures and weather windows were not cooperating for that run. I have been to this Island many times as a kid while working as a deck hand on sport fishing boats in the 80's, and then as a passenger chasing Tuna, but have never anchored there so I am looking forward to making that happen at some point.
After waiting several weeks, we therefore shelved that and went straight to Catalina. The new plan was to continue on to Santa Barbara Island, and then to the northern channels, but I was feeling pretty beat up from a fall the day before I left, then a mild chest infection, an infected toe, and then poking my eye with a sharp object, so I pulled the plug on continuing farther north. We will try again in August.
I therefore did 14 days at Catalina, circling the Island and stopping at various spots. My sailboat buddy boat came out for the last 5 days. My wife did the ferry thing as she was unable to spend the duration out there due to work commitments.
Typical June Grey, and winds most days, but also a few great weather days in between. Water was cool at 61F, and probably one of the reasons I got the chest infection from too much swimming without a wetsuit. I could get away with it in the past, but not now apparently. Getting older.
The back side of Cat is one of the most beautiful examples of what California was like 400 years ago. I believe the rock formations are granite and slate, but others can correct me if I am wrong.
The attached photo is the west end early in the morning and one of my favorite places on the SoCal coast. The water clarity is very good, with lots of wildlife and fish. It always looks a bit ominous at this time when the marine layer is present. When the swells and current meet this narrow point, the swells will often stack up as they move from very deep, to shallow water along the Islands flanks. Moving from 80 ft. of water to 400 ft. (a short distance away) results in smoother runs when the swells are up.
Currently parked in Long Beach. Working on some projects, regrouping, and will head back to SD next week and then hopefully back out to the northern channels in early August.
Cheers, Fletch.
Attachments
Last edited:
