Fishing Southern California offshore late Spring…

It’s been (40) years since last visited Santa Cruz Island. Coming June planning on returning to the Northern Channel Islands and do some casual trolling.

Several factors make this area much different than let’s say fishing Molokai, Hawaii. The seas and winds are heavily affected by diurnal changes. The ocean is comparatively calm (unless you are west of Santa Barbara Island). And no rain or cyclones.

General float planning:


My little ship ready in L.A. Harbor:

Departure: 31-MAY@05:30PDT. Mary flew out from Honolulu to be my watch captain.

Sailing to “Two Harbors”, Catalina Island tomorrow. Hopefully will acclimatize into “Cruise mode” and enjoy this beautiful world we have. I’m disconnecting and heading to paradise…

Please see legacy video when Cadet was at Torrance -> Catalina, Is. You can see RHC hangers…

“…mama take this badge from me, I can’t use it anymore…”

Arrived 12:00 PDT! Now is “Island Time” officially.

I used to love sailing out to Catalina with my uncle as a kid. Whole family went on his Catalina 30. Moored in Avalon harbor and at the isthmus.

8GCBC wrote:The ocean is comparatively calm (unless you are west of Santa Barbara Island).

LOL. I've spent a some time working west of San Nic, Calm is not how I would describe my time there. The multiple swell directions that can funnel into the channel islands can at times make for very steep and uncomfortable conditions.

The channel islands are a totally stunning place though. Feels like the lost world. Real shame you cant land on any of the old strips that were cut out there. (Or any of the other suitable flat spaces...)

Years ago I sailed from Portland, Oregon to Central America. The worst sea state I had to deal with in that year was rounding Point Conception. I had NW winds, but the sea state was very confused and the stern of the boat was pushed all over the place. My self steering system couldn't handle it, so I was at the helm the whole time - in the howling rain. That little passage is part of what pushed me back into flying. I wanted to go faster than 6 knots so I could outrun the weather, or sit tight until conditions improved and still get to my destination faster! My passage around Point Conception was sooo bad that I sailed all the way to Hawaii on my way home to avoid it. Where I live now (PNW) has a high concentration of pilots that also have a close connection with the sea. Many of them have both a boat and a plane, or multiple examples of each. Sadly, I can only afford one expensive (in terms of time and/or money) toy at a time. Here's my old wooden sloop at anchor in San Simeon Bay:

After Catalina…

Decided to do a bottom job at Cabrillo Boat Shop. Nice yard if you’re in the Long Beach area.

Zzz wrote:I used to love sailing out to Catalina with my uncle as a kid. Whole family went on his Catalina 30. Moored in Avalon harbor and at the isthmus.

That’s nice to hear! I sailed my Catalina 30 from San Pedro, CA to Kaneohe Bay, HI back in 1990 using a plastic sextant and a “Radio Shack Time Cube”. The Catalina sailboat is now at the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor. Every time I leave the harbor I see her. It’s owned by a younger couple trying to keep her seaworthy. Originally commissioned new in 1984 , the boat is over 42 years old!