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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Ventura/santa barbara

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sdpinaz
Navigator

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USA
193 Posts

Initially Posted - 12/24/2013 : 09:07:08

Taking the boat to Ventura or santa barbara mid january for a week or so. Anybody here from either of those places and want to swing by the marina that would be great. The boat is brand new to me, so I would be interested in getting some ideas from anyone nearby on what all it needs. Any stories or advice on sailing the central coast would be great as well. This will be the first substantial voyage for me and the boat! I plan on renting a slip and spending some time working on the boat and learning more about it, figured sitting in the water with the mast up as a way better approach than staring at it on its trailer. Let me know what you guys think.
Cheers,
Scott

Scott
'88 WK/SR #5727

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5362 Posts

Response Posted - 12/26/2013 : 11:39:58

Scott,
Sounds like it ought to be a nice trip, I've visited there and like the area along the coast very much. The interesting thing about that stretch of the coast is that the hills just north of there run East-West, not North-South, as in much of the rest of CA. This produces a warmer microclimate due to enhanced sun exposure and a more persistent seabreeze with less marine layer setup.
Once you get there where do you plan to stay? The Ventura end or up in Santa Barbara? Where do you plan to visit? A quick search shows you might run down to Malibu or Marina Del Rey or up to Santa Barbara and Isla Vista.
The Channel Islands are nearby however may not be an easy run in a coastal cruiser.
Much will depend on weather of course. Past few days the Santa Ana winds have kicked up. Given the east-west fetch and unpredictability, there is a good deal of fetch and the potential for significant waves and chop. Accurate charts are important to navigate the narrow channels into marinas and ports.
Good to do pre-trip planning factoring destination, speed, time, wind/weather and current. Look for potential ditch points along your route in case you find conditions challenging.
Google cruising guides of the area and use the NOAA chart app to print harbor details. Make sure your VHF is tuned up, has a long reach (with a masttop mount), and you have a handheld backup.
Obviously, not being a local I can't give you more than that, but spend time with local sailors getting tips and pointers on what to expect and what got spots to hit. Enjoy!

Edited by - on

Dan Greer
1st Mate

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USA
36 Posts

Response Posted - 12/28/2013 : 15:07:47

Hi, Scott

I try to take a similar trip every year or two, but my timing is different. I try to go in Jul or Aug to get away from the heat in Phoenix. I'm guessing you're going in Jan to get away from the snow in Flagstaff.

Last trip I spent a lot of time in Marina del Rey and the Channel Islands. My favorite spot was Forney Cove on the W end of Santa Cruz Island. It seems so desolate and remote, it's hard to believe you're only 30 miles or so from Los Angeles.

Here's a link that I found useful: http://www.blueanarchy.org/cruising/index.html

Next time you're planning to sail Lake Pleasant, give a shout; I'd like to try to meet up with you.

Edited by - on

sdpinaz
Navigator

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USA
193 Posts

Response Posted - 12/29/2013 : 11:40:10

Thanks Dan and Bruce,
My folks live in Santa Barbara and My sister lives in Ventura, haven't decided yet which marina I will plop the boat into. Ventura is cheaper, so that might be the case, But Santa Barbara Marina is Closer to my folks house. I might stay a night or two on the boat, but mostly will spend the night at my folks house. This will be pretty much a shakedown sail. The boat is brand new to me, having sailed on it a total of about 4 hours, so I don't expect to be going out to the channel islands, but just tootling around on day sails and then spending a bit of time replacing stuff I am sure. I know already most of the running rigging needs to be replaced, after sitting in the Arizona sun rotting for a while. I am going to work on getting the CDI furler working better, and my Dad and I are going to build an A-frame mast raising/lowering setup as well as a filler between the two setees for a queen bed, He likes to build things out of wood.... There is an overpriced chandlery at the marina in Santa Barbara, and there is a West Marine close to the ventura harbor within biking distance. Or maybe I will start in Santa Barbara and sail down to Ventura for the second half of the week, getting a ride back with my sister.
If the santa ana winds kick in while I am there, which harbor is better to be stuck in?
Is there anyone nearby that wants to come down, see the boat, and give me your two cents worth?
At any rate, getting ready! can't wait to be out of the snow and freezing temps for a while.
cheers,
Scott

Edited by - on

sdpinaz
Navigator

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USA
193 Posts

Response Posted - 12/29/2013 : 11:41:38

Bruce,
I need to get a handheld VHF, you are right. Don't know anything about em... what do you suggest?

Edited by - on

sdpinaz
Navigator

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USA
193 Posts

Response Posted - 12/29/2013 : 11:42:26

Dan,
Work in Jan/Feb is slow for me so I will be down to Pleasant as much as I can in Feb. I will let you know.
Cheers,

Edited by - on

JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 12/30/2013 : 08:04:27

Scott,
I don't know if you have sailed there before, but I found it interesting that you can get the rudder caught in some giant kelp if you sail right through a bed. The kelp beds are rooted to the bottom at depths of 150 feet or less. They don't grow in the deeper water just a little more offshore. Some folks cut the kelp off the rudder or outboard with a long-handled knife, and some push it off with a stick.

Here's a discussion of [url="http://www.socaloceanfishing.com/hp_kelp.html"]fishing in kelp beds[/url] with a map of SoCal. All the local sailors would be able to point out the current locations of the beds in the area you visit.

Happy sailing!

Edited by - on

sdpinaz
Navigator

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USA
193 Posts

Response Posted - 12/30/2013 : 09:00:52

John,
The kelp is going to be a problem that I must avoid. Especially with the wing keel, the kelp won't sluff off like it will the fin. Thanks for the reminder, its too cold right now to go swimming....

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TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 12/30/2013 : 18:33:03

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by sdpinaz
 Bruce,
I need to get a handheld VHF, you are right. Don't know anything about em... what do you suggest?

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I strongly recommend one with DSC. All fixed VHFs require it, but most handhelds do not have it. This one has been going for as low as $125 if you time it right:

http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=27679

<center>

</center>

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5362 Posts

Response Posted - 12/30/2013 : 21:01:26

My local West Marine was offering a Cobra and a West Marine brand VHF radio for under $100 this week. If you want to pay more, you can get a handheld with DSC. You need to register with BoatUS to get an MMSI ID number for the radio.

Edited by - on

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