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Trip report -- Little Harbor, Catalina Island

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RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/04/2002 : 20:44:55

Day 1:

Yours truly, as we pass LA Lighthouse and a container ship entering the harbor. There was a thin marine layer (high, fog-type clouds which usually burns off mid-morning) and the wind was light, so we motored with the main up.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d725b3127cce907c1ad7aca10000001410" border=0>

We're about half-way to the island. The wind picked up and we rolled out the jib for a close reach to "the isthmus". You can see the low point in the profile of the island which is the thin strip of land which separates Two Harbors on the "frontside" (San Pedro Channel side) from Catalina Harbor on the "backside" (open ocean side).
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d725b3127cce907c1ad9acaf0000001410" border=0>

My "crew" on the bow as we're moored at Two Harbors. From left to right, Mary (16 months), Mom (age tbd) and Sarah (3 years).
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d725b3127cce907c1ac22d840000001410" border=0>

Day 2:

After meeting up with my friends, we headed towards the West End. On the left is Lee on his Catalina 25 (78 FK/SR) with Jeff (who flew in from Denver for the trip and who happens to be the previous owner of my boat) and to the right is Fernando on his Columbia 26 with his girlfriend. As usual, it was still early so we motored in a light wind just starboard off the bow.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d725b3127cce907c1ace2d880000001410" border=0>

As we approach the West End, some swells built up quickly. Although they grew big, they were well spaced and of regular interval and direction, which made for a rather exhilarating, but safe ride.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d725b3127cce907c1ac82d8e0000001410" border=0>

After rounding the West End and continuing on the backside of the island, the swells settled down and the wind picked up slightly. Fernando is on the left, Lee is in the middle and another boat on the right is returning towards the West End.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d725b3127cce907c1ab5acc30000001410" border=0>

To be continued...

RichardG 81 C25 SR/FK "Sanity"

Edited by - on

RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 09/04/2002 : 20:47:58

Fernando is aggressively hugging the shoreline.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d725b3127cce907c1abc2dfa0000001410" border=0>

This is Catalina Harbor (or "Cat Harbor", for short), on the other side of the isthmus from Two Harbors. It's the only natural, storm-protected harbor between San Diego and San Francisco. Fernando is seen against the dark cliff just to the left of the entrance to the harbor.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d725b3127cce907c1aba2dfc0000001410" border=0>

Safely anchored in Little Harbor...from right to left -- Fernando, Lee, me and a couple from San Diego on what they called a Dunnigan, built in 1941 (they said this guy Dunnigan built one boat per year in Long Beach until WWII moved his talents elsewhere -- this 30 footer was the last one he built). You can see part of the reef which provides protection from the swells from the West. There's actually two separate harbors here, the one on the other side of the rocks over my left shoulder is Shark Harbor. It offers no such protection and is a favorite spot for local surfers who drive in from Avalon for the day.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d725b3127cce907c1abbaccd0000001410" border=0>

Lee is standing in his cockpit. The rock atop which I took the previous picture is bisected by my mast.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d725b3127cce907c156f6db60000001410" border=0>

Fernando, Lee and I, with the beach and campground in the background.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d725b3127cce907c15696db00000001410" border=0>

The four of us are nicely lined up. Notice everyone at Catalina Island uses two anchors, one bow and one stern. This lets more boats anchor in less space. Lee and Fernando, Little Harbor veterans, said they've seen over a dozen boats anchored there at once. Little Harbor is probably the best place at the island to anchor, because there are no moorings there -- all other good anchorages are jammed with moorings.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d725b3127cce907c15536d8a0000001410" border=0>

To be continued...

RichardG 81 C25 SR/FK "Sanity"

Edited by - on

RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 09/04/2002 : 20:49:50

Day 3:

My wife and kids are relaxing under the beach umbrella in the center, with my dinghy, "Sweet Pea", near the water at the lower right corner of the picture.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d725b3127cce907c155b6d820000001410" border=0>

Mom let Mary out of her crib. In the background, the reef is protecting our boats from the swells.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d725b3127cce907c1542ecab0000001410" border=0>

As I was seen often that day, I'm rowing Sweet Pea, ferrying large quantities of "kid supplies" to and from shore.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d725b3127cce907c154ceca50000001410" border=0>

Sweet Pea gets a rest on the beach.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d725b3127cce907c1534ecdd0000001410" border=0>

I'm out on a soul-refreshing sail in Sweet Pea before dinner.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d725b3127cce907c1530ecd90000001410" border=0>

Day 4:

We left Little Harbor and continued counterclockwise around the island. That night we moored in Avalon Harbor, first row, second boat over from the dinghy dock. To be honest, the hustle and bustle of Avalon was a bit too much after spending two incredibly peaceful days at Little Harbor. Don't get me wrong -- Avalon is great, but I would visit it first next time. No pictures.

Day 5:

Mom relaxes with a well-deserved glass of "bubbly" as we leave Avalon.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d725b3127cce907c153f6de60000001410" border=0>

To be continued...

RichardG 81 C25 SR/FK "Sanity"

Edited by - on

RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 09/04/2002 : 20:50:37

Dolphins off the port bow!
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d725b3127cce907c153d6de40000001410" border=0>

Sarah got a big kick out of the dolphins. The young ones would "play" just in front of the bow, so close you could probably touch them.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d725b3127cce907c292aecdd0000001410" border=0>

Mary takes a nap in the cabin.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d725b3127cce907c292b6dec0000001410" border=0>

As usual, the wind picked up in the afternoon. While playing "chicken" with a big container ship, I am the first to turn away.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d725b3127cce907c278fec7f0000001410" border=0>

Homeward bound -- LA Harbor dead ahead! Mom and Sarah are napping up in the v-berth. Here's a riddle: What's a "double-heel"? Answer: Mary having a ball heeling her crib inside the cabin of the boat that is heeling.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d725b3127cce907c278c6d4c0000001410" border=0>

There are a lot of bad things about living in Los Angeles, but its close access to Catalina Island makes up for some of it.

RichardG 81 C25 SR/FK "Sanity"

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