Catalina Island is sometimes a pretty rough place for seaplanes, especially in the afternoon. Typically there is an early morning “Land breeze” (light offshore) and then it switches to a moderate “Sea breeze” in the afternoon. Today however, it was “Sea breeze” all day. The plan is to leave at Sunrise tomorrow, and check out Catalina in the amphib.

LAX.TAF Looks good for the ocean around Catalina Island:


Garmin Blue Water App reports the weather is good on the ocean:


Catalina is a nature conservancy. Managed by the Catalina Is. Company:


The “Country Club”, my old high school.


Toyon Bay surveillance picture:

Garmin Pilot flightplan for the morning:

Curiously, I looked out across a smooth Santa Monica Bay this morning thinking "It would be fun today in a seaplane".

Crossing my fingers for a water landing & takeoff video at the island...enjoy!

Fly safely,
Pat

iPat wrote:Curiously, I looked out across a smooth Santa Monica Bay this morning thinking "It would be fun today in a seaplane".

Crossing my fingers for a water landing & takeoff video at the island...enjoy!

Fly safely,
Pat

Hi Pat!

Glad to hear from you!! Let’s take my little ship out this week, I’m free after today...

VTY,
Ted

My early morning workout today...

Palos Verdes Peninsula in the background:


Twin Harbour, Isthmus Cove, Catalina Is.



Cabillo Marina, I sailed my 30’ boat to Hawaii from here! Back when we used sextants, paper and pencils!


I’m always facinated by harbors. Los Angeles/Long Beach receives billions in cargo.

Is there still a regular DC-3 run from Long Beach to Catalina?
I'd love to go for a ride in a DC-3,
so when I heard about that one I had ideas about buying a round-trip to Catalina the next time I was down there visiting family.
Unfortunately I understand that it is strictly a freight operation.

hotrod180 wrote:Is there still a regular DC-3 run from Long Beach to Catalina?
I'd love to go for a ride in a DC-3,
so when I heard about that one I had ideas about buying a round-trip to Catalina the next time I was down there visiting family.
Unfortunately I understand that it is strictly a freight operation.

When are you coming down here? I have a beachhead for the summer at KTOA.

Most DC3s are freight only and have been for sometime. Wrigley used to keep a perfect DC3 at the airport. It was mind blowing!

We used to ride in Grumman Gooses to the “Institute” on the Island. Takeoff from under the Vincent Thomas Bridge! I rowed the channel in a life guard dory (5.5 hours) just to say “I did it”. A few guys used to paddle over, one guy (Marc Hightower) paddled from Newport Beach with his dog. It took Marc 15 hours and the dog was still alive and well!

PS If you visit Hawaii, I’ll get you checked out in a DC3! If you pay for fuel!

A very strong high pressure (known as “The Pacific High”, or Northeast trades) is bringing strong winds to Catalina and the surrounding areas.

The wind is really shaking the hangar from the gusts (ATIS reporting 27KTS). Tomorrow is not a good day for a seaplane the size of a Scout.

The waves are building today and tomorrow.


Ocean bumpy even around Avalon. The old “Casino” seen at the point and Wrigley Mansion on the hill across the bay:


Garmin Blue Water App says...

Rough for Southern California:


Interesting the tide prediction is different in Avalon vs Cabrillo. At least it isn’t 25’ like in Alaska!



Cortez Bank and Bishop Rock are wild with a 12’ swell which can double in height at the reef.


Garmin Pilot showing the massive high:

8GCBC wrote:When are you coming down here? I have a beachhead for the summer at KTOA.......
PS If you visit Hawaii, I’ll get you checked out in a DC3! If you pay for fuel!

I'm from the LA area, moved here to the PNW 26 years ago and never looked back.
I do come down there to OC to visit family, but not too often.
Was down last Thanksgiving so no plans to return for a while.
I'd take you up on that Hawaii DC3 thing if I ever get over there,
but I'm not a multi pilot looking for a checkout / type rating.
Just hoping for a ride in one sometime.

hotrod180 wrote:

8GCBC wrote:When are you coming down here? I have a beachhead for the summer at KTOA.......
PS If you visit Hawaii, I’ll get you checked out in a DC3! If you pay for fuel!

I'm from the LA area, moved here to the PNW 26 years ago and never looked back.
I do come down there to OC to visit family, but not too often.
Was down last Thanksgiving so no plans to return for a while.
I'd take you up on that Hawaii DC3 thing if I ever get over there,
but I'm not a multi pilot looking for a checkout / type rating.
Just hoping for a ride in one sometime.

Send me a PM if you are near Torrance for any reason. Will be back in Honolulu in May.