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San Diego Fleet 7 weekend report

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/06/2004 : 13:34:02

A great 3 or 4 day weekend was had by all and pictures to follow.

Friday we met Charlie and his kids and helped them get the brand new C250 WB rigged and launched. It was a job that took many, many hours. The mast only went up 3 or 4 times, we were proud of that, but none of us have ever seen a 250 yet, and it was all so different! Catalina has certainly come up with a great mast raising system on the new boats. One person can do it with ease (on the trailer).

Friday night, Charlie finally made it to his slip and I took them sailing on Indiscipline, with the other Fleet members going out on Classical Cat. The sails were not bent on the new boat yet. It was a great sunset cruise in medium air (becoming light). I was flying my 110 to keep the boat flat for the kids. I couldn't keep up with Classical Cat (Tall Rig) in that air. But we were not racing. Instead, nature treated us to a premium encounter with numerous black dolphins. They were even jumping and tailwalking! Following this, we had a group dinner at Kojaks (the Greek Place) at Belmont Park (the roller coaster/amusemant park in Pacific Beach). In bed by 10:30 after a really full day.

Saturday, I was up at 6 and underway at 7, destination - the 9 mile bank. Actually 10 miles offshore of Mission Bay, I motored for about an hour then got enough wind to sail. I was pushed a little south and had to tack for the bank. I had Point Loma and all 4 Coronado Islands in sight, otherwise the coast was out of sight. This time, I was surrounded by literally thousands of Pacific White Sided Common dolphins, for several hours. It was great to see them swiming on the bow wave.

Finally on the bank, I started seeing the bottom again in my fishfinder - about 560 feet. There were several fishing boats out there. We talked on the radio. No one was getting anything. I cruised around for an hour or so under bright sun, light wind, and calm seas, looking for the fish. I decided to start back. Then I came upon a large floating kelp patty. This is what we are looking for! They are like sea going refridgerators! I got heaved to upwind and started throwing jigs. As I drifted over the patty I could see dozens of big fish and hundreds of bait fish suspended under the kelp. The bait fish would dart out and follow the sailboat for awhile! I was very excited and worked the patty for about an hour but could not get a bite. There is so much bait and so much life out there, they were not interested. The fishermans speculation is that the bite is really early in the morning due to the full moon so I have to get an earlier start next time.

Now there was a good wind so I poled out the 135 and started coming home wing and wing. I was about 12 miles offshore and making 4.5 knots. The course was going to land me just a little south of Mission Bay. I settled down for the next 2 hours, ate a light snack, talked on the radio, .... When I hit 200 foot depth, I took down the pole and turned for Mission Bay entrance (just skirting the seaward edge of the Pt Loma kelp). It was now a beam reach and I was flying at over 6 knots. There were frequent white caps and the seas were up to around 3 feet. This was too much for fishing so I boated all the lines and put all the gear away.

Back in the slip by 2:30 PM after a voyage of 35 nmiles. Autopilot steered all day, ran the engine about 90 minutes total. Boy did a quick hamburger barbequed in the cockpit taste good! 35 miles and no fish, not even a bite, but it was exciting. I am training for my 3 week adventure, and must venture on longer, offshore, trips.

Nothing broke!

Sunday I stayed home, went shopping and saw the local fireworks. I now have a 5 day cooler and more fishing stuff! I am not sure what everyone else did, but I know Charlie sailed the new 250 to San Diego Bay, anchored out, watched the fireworks, and came home Monday. I'm sure the Cavins went sailing and enjoyed San Diego with their guests, the Norgans were home, and McElroys were probably playing baseball!

Monday, we had our Fleet 7 barbeque at noon. It was a great sunny day, quite windy. Spike, the little dogs, and the kids enjoyed dock fishing and pulled in numerous sardines. Everyone was down there (the Cavins had left for Phoenix). Later in the afternoon, we helped Charlie get the new boat onto the trailer, then left him on his own to get her packed up for the trip back. I hope he decides to slip her, at least for the rest of the summer/fall. Classical Cat kept sailing but we had to get going (by the time we got Charlie on the trailer it was already 5:30 PM).

Everyone with a C25/250 is welcome to join Fleet 7. We have a lot of fun, work on the boats together, and sail together. Email me or Gary if you are interested in coming our way!

I'll post the best of the pictures tonight.

Indiscipline 1978 FK SR #398

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 07/07/2004 : 01:04:06

Photos added,

click here http://www.indiscipline.org/cat25/july.html

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Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1234 Posts

Response Posted - 07/07/2004 : 07:27:23

Great narrative and great pics, Jim. They are always appreciated. Take the camera next time you go sailing, share some of that wonderful west coast wildlife with some of us poor landlocked folks!

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 07/07/2004 : 12:42:59

I forgot the camera Friday and Saturday....I promise, I'll take it next time! However, here's a couple of shots I took before of the Pacific White SIded (common) dolphin on a previous trip.

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