ChrisS
Member III
Hello All Southern California Ericson Sailors--
I'm planning to make a six week trip from the SF Bay to Catalina and back next summer, leaving late June. My plan is to put a crew together, harbor hop down to Santa Barbarba, visit the Channel Islands, then meet my wife and two small daughters and head out to Catalina for a couple of weeks or so. I'd start heading back north in early August from Santa Barbara, giving myself a 10 day window to get back to Sausalito. I've read the Fagan crusing book, have a fair amount of coastal experience outside the Gate, and did a charter out of Newport to Avalon a few years back. I know that August and September are better months than June and July--less fog--but I'm a public school teacher and can't get away then.
In terms of a good place to meet the wife and kids, provision and make repairs, and then depart for Catalina, what is a good harbor? Some place to see sights for a couple of days and leave the car for two weeks? I was thinking SB, but are there better options? Also, any favorite places in the islands to visit?
As for anchoring, I have a 22lb Bruce on a roller with 30' of 3/8" chain and 200' of rode, plus a smaller Danforth on the stern with the same amount of chain and line. This setup has worked fine for me in Drakes Bay, but there isn't so much surge there. What has worked for your boats?
Thanks in advance for any insight!
I'm planning to make a six week trip from the SF Bay to Catalina and back next summer, leaving late June. My plan is to put a crew together, harbor hop down to Santa Barbarba, visit the Channel Islands, then meet my wife and two small daughters and head out to Catalina for a couple of weeks or so. I'd start heading back north in early August from Santa Barbara, giving myself a 10 day window to get back to Sausalito. I've read the Fagan crusing book, have a fair amount of coastal experience outside the Gate, and did a charter out of Newport to Avalon a few years back. I know that August and September are better months than June and July--less fog--but I'm a public school teacher and can't get away then.
In terms of a good place to meet the wife and kids, provision and make repairs, and then depart for Catalina, what is a good harbor? Some place to see sights for a couple of days and leave the car for two weeks? I was thinking SB, but are there better options? Also, any favorite places in the islands to visit?
As for anchoring, I have a 22lb Bruce on a roller with 30' of 3/8" chain and 200' of rode, plus a smaller Danforth on the stern with the same amount of chain and line. This setup has worked fine for me in Drakes Bay, but there isn't so much surge there. What has worked for your boats?
Thanks in advance for any insight!