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JD van Wyhe
Deckhand

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22 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/10/2002 : 12:24:41

Well I'm finally back to work and have a momemt to share an update of our trip to Catalina Island. We started in Merced, CA. Left home at 9:00 on Saturday. <img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d731b3127cce9019024467980000000010" border=0>
Arrived in San Pedro, launched, then anchored for the night. Sunday morning we finished rigging, purchased some addn’l supplies, then headed out around 1:00 PM.
As soon as we got outside the harbor, my wife had a bit of panic in her face. Wind was blowing about 15-17, swells 3 feet, and wind waves. We’re used to inland lake sailing and I don’t think she was too sure about this ocean stuff. I set the main to the first reef point, let out the jib to 110 and we were off. Sailing to weather, doing around 6 knots.
One son became sick after only a half hour. Wife and other son held there own. We arrived at Avalon around 6:30 (Sunday evening)
No moorings available. (this blew my plan) We motored North 4 miles to Whites Cove. I was unable to hail the harbor master in Whites Cove. Another sailor answered that he was gone for the night and there was no more moorings. I was starting to get a little worried. After about 30 min. we finally did find the harbor master. He said we could have a mooring, but we were the last one’s. He looked at me and said, “Don’t you know there’s a hurricane headed this way?” Pointing to a 40 foot high rock on the shore he yelled “that rock will be covered with water……go ahead and tie up. I’ll be back to collect.” As he motored off he hollered something about Jesus coming back and satellite photos.
Now this guy had me a little worried. A hurricane headed this way?? Should I try to get back to the mainland now? Before the storm? Were we safe here for the night? I quickly switched the VHF to the weather channel. I don’t hear anything about a hurricane or any foul weather. What’s up?

When the harbor master returned a half hour later to collect, he explained that a hurricane off the tip of Baja would bring a large swell in sometime during the night or the next day. He assured us our mooring would be secure and apologized if he had scared us. Scared?…….. who was scared?
So we spent the first night at Whites Cove.
The next morning, the sky was clear, there was no wind, and the sea was flat. Very peaceful. I assembled and inflated our tender and we motored the 4 or 5 miles to Avalon. (about 50 minutes) The dinghy dock at Avalon was just as I had heard it described.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d731b3127cce90190279e6950000001010" border=0>
Ours was the red inflatable in the center. By now the family was really looking forward to dry ground, a shower, and good meal. Our anchorage was pretty rolly, so no one had much appetite for breakfast and by the time we got to Avalon, food was sounding real good.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d731b3127cce9019026c67b00000000010" border=0>
Here’s wife and boys at the end of the pier. On stable ground at last.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d731b3127cce9019026867b40000000010" border=0>
After a hot shower and good meal, everyone was doing fine.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d731b3127cce90190242679e0000000010" border=0>
We shopped, toured the city, had fun.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d731b3127cce90190263e68f0000000010" border=0>
That evening we motored our dinghy back to Whites Cove. (another 50 minutes)
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d731b3127cce9019025fe6b30000000010" border=0>
Here’s Marea in Whites Cove.

The next morning we decided to head back a day early. Wonderful sail back. Beam reach the whole way. 6+ knots. We were back in San Pedro in less than 4 hours.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d731b3127cce90190246679a0000000010" border=0>
Second son got ill on return voyage. Next time everyone gets “the patch.”

JD van Wyhe
C25 Marea #139

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jellyfish
Navigator

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USA
171 Posts

Response Posted - 09/10/2002 : 13:31:20

cool story JD, thanks for sharing. Im sure it will be told over and over for years to come!

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RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 09/10/2002 : 14:48:57

JD:

The swell actually came in about a week later.

The same harbor master "drilled" my friends who arrived at Whites at 9:00 the same night you arrived. Apparently there were more moorings available, but probably closer to the rocks. However, I can understand the harbor master's concern -- the size, timing and direction of the swell from those hurricanes is difficult to predict. And to have to deal with it during full summer boating season would not be fun at all! Usually that kind of "fun" doesn't start until the Santa Ana's kick up in November, but then there are much fewer boats to deal with.

Too bad we didn't get a chance to meet. Sounds like we left Avalon about the same time you arrived.

Glad to hear your return sail was good. As for seasickness prevention, that probably deserves another thread.

RichardG 81 C25 SR/FK "Sanity"

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/10/2002 : 15:48:26

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
...As for seasickness prevention, that probably deserves another thread.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>
Thanks for the travelogue, Richard. Glad the "hurricane" never came. Do lake sailors know that, to help avoid sea sickness, you should stay out of the cabin and keep your eyes on the horizon? In really big, gentle swells, just say yes to drugs. <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

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jellyfish
Navigator

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USA
171 Posts

Response Posted - 09/10/2002 : 16:39:52

cures for sea sickness

1)beer, sardines, and crackers
2)pinch of Wintergreen tween the check and gum

<img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle>

it will cure you if it dont kill you!

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