Sail circumnavigation of Catalina?

I am expecting delivery of my Hobie Adventure Island in mid-September. Outfitting for touring will take a month or two. A friend is probably also going to get an AI,

We have been talking about sailing out of Newport Harbor to Santa Catalina Island, around the island, and back to Newport. Still in the concept stage.

Went to Catalina once in a friends BW Outrage on the way there ran full speed it was like glass. Different story coming back 10/12 foot confused seas buddy got so sick he couldn't pilot his boat, I took over after about 15 min I thought no way I'm going back then I saw the ferry got inside his wake and stayed there all the way across pretty intense he was flying and I kept having adjust my speed to keep from running into his stern. By the time we got to the break waters there was 20 boats stacked up behind him. I was sweating the whole way back.

Only made the 22-mile passage a couple times by power boat.  Going "uphill" from the mainland was pretty bumpy once; going downhill back pretty easy both times.  Never gone aroung the island.

I am hoping some locals with more experience will want to join in, but I am going to do heavy duty weather and condition research before taking the plunge.  I will also have as much safety and communicatin gear as I can afford. 

The trip plan will be flexible and a few extra days plus contingency plans will be in place.

Thoughts and suggestions most welcome.

I wouldn't mind fishing catalina, chasing tail!

-Brian G

 Preparing for Catalina Island sail tour   

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I am beginning to plan a peddle / paddle / sail tour to and around Catalina Island from Newport Harbor in an Adventure Island. At this stage I am thinking of a 7 to 10-day time budget.

I have been to Catalina twice and collected the tourist literature; I also have looked at a few island websites. I have been camping and canoe touring for years on freshwater lakes and rivers.

But this will be a step up in terms of possible conditions and hazards, and I want to research and prepare in detail. (Please understand I have found that the planning and anticipation will be a pleasure in its own right.)

I am opening the following physical files and computer directories based on past experience plus new concerns:

1. Navigation, including maps, trip plan, and notifications
2. Communication gear and information, contact list
3. Water safety gear and information
4. Weather and ocean condition information: sources, planning, hazards, and contingencies
5. Camping gear, reservations, and locations
6. Food and water: supplies, gear and replenishment options
7. Repair gear and spare parts kits, including island sources
8. Photo gear, spares, and island resources
9. Health and hygiene gear, supplies, and island resources
10. Fishing gear, supplies, guides , and island resources
11. Clothing, outer gear, and washing stuff, including island resources
12. Kayak rigging and equipment, including island resources
13. Budget and island access to funds

Thoughts? Thanks.
 

Anybody know if there is camping on the back side of Catalina at Little Harbor (next to Shark Harbor) or Silver Canyon Landing?

Saving any room for the cat...er..I mean the crew?

Found these of intierest:

http://www.kayakcatalinaisland.com/html/camping.html

http://www.ckf.org/Reports/2001/01-09-AroundCatalina.htm

Captain has not yet weighed in on this topic, nor has he heard from Crew.  Stand by, and thanks for the interest.

Anyone have a sense of how long it would take to kayak around the island (Avalon to Avalon, for example)?

From the maps and other information so far it looks like 2 very long days or 3 typical days would do it in reasonable conditions.

I am hoping to fish and dive a little so a 5 or 6 day circumnavigation looks very "doable."

Other information? Thoughts? Thanks

Another link of interest:

http://www.kayaksportfishing.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3024&highlight=

Source: Descanso Beach Ocean Sports  http://www.kayakcatalinaisland.com/html/camping.html

From Descanso Beach to:
Willow Cove - 2.5 mi
Long Point - 4.25 mi
Goat Harbor - 6.25 mi
Ripper's Cove - 8.5 mi
Blue Cavern Pt - 11.25 mi
Two Harbors -12.25 mi         12.25

From Two Harbors to:
Emerald Bay - 2.75 mi
Parson's Landing - 4.25 mi
West End - 7.25 mi            7.25

From West End to:
Ribbon Rock - 3 mi
Cat Head - 6.75 mi
Little Harbor - 10 mi            10.00

From Little Harbor to:
Salta Verde Pt. - 7 mi
Silver Canyon Bch - 8.75 mi
Church Rock - 12.5 mi
Avalon - 16.75 mi
Descanso Beach - 17.25 mi         17.25

Total                47.00

Don:

Your Hobie Adventure should float regardless, but if you want extra flotation inside, making it a combo storage bag wont give you the flotation you need should the hull completely breach (unlikely). Pack light and install regular flotation bags fore and aft.

As a guy who picks up the un-cautious for a living, I can add a few things that most don't think enough of:

(I am putting aside the obvious items like a constant wear PFD, etc.)

1: A very detailed sail/paddle plan..left behind with someone you love / trust.

You want a detailed plan/schedule that includes. Where you are going....when you will be where...when you intend to leave. Possible bail- out points. What equipment you have with you. Your cell phone number (if you are carrying)... You need to think like a rescuer and write down all the stuff you would want to know if YOU had to go look for yourself. This should all be on a single page, easily faxed to the Coast Guard.

Leave instructions with the person who is watching out for you...WHEN to call the coast guard and WHERE to send it. Already have the fax numbers of the Coast Guard ready for them.

Include a detailed description of your boat, Your clothing, You (35 yo White male, 185 lbs etc.)

A detailed and useful float plan is almost always overlooked. We usually get...."My husband wnt out Kayaking and he isn"t back yet!" Us, "Where did he go?" Wife, "on the ocean!"

2. Stick with your plan! Be flexible if you need to....but contact home base with any changes.

3. Stay in touch whenever possible.
Cell phone....vhf radio (a must have safety item) and .... VERY IMPORTANT and worth EVERY PENNY...A 406 EPIRB in your vest! Worn ALL THE TIME. Yes, I know they are 500 bucks plus. Trust me, when you see the helicopter looking for you but theey are too far away to be seen...you will wish you had spent the money.

If the 20 miles between Catalina and the beach has cell phone coverage. Check in with home every hour. If there are dead spots, You would be better off calling just before you leave with your expected return time. Call as soon as you hit the beach.

4.

Remember...as soon as you are out of your boat and in the water...the water is trying to kill you and it is very good at it. The FASTER you get out...the better. Float plan alone: 36 hours is fast. Float plan and 406 EPIRB. 2 hours is average given your distance from shore. Your vest should include (at the very least) the EPIRB and (the all time secret best signalling device made) a flashlight. Waterproof: Pelican lights are my favorite. Point your light at a helicopter and shaking it back and forth is the international signal for "COME LOOK AT ME" to all Coast Guard aircrews.

Another great piece of low tech gear to have with you is a rescue streamer.

5. Know where you are. A handheld GPS (more money I know) is well worth the investment. (duh?)

Listen, I hope this helps. Its a little long winded and maybe very obvious, but I never find people that are this prepared. Why? They are far to prepared to get into trouble, and usually don't.

Safety at sea is easy....think.

You are doing a circumnav of Catalina. Have fun. But that is what you are doing...it is NOT WHERE you are going. Where you are going is this:

You are going to surround yourself on all sides by something that will not sustain human life and if you get in it, it will slowly try to kill you. (thats the ocean).

Remember WHERE you are going...and then prepare for WHAT you are doing.

Mario / CGRS

http://www.opticsplanet.net/pelican-mitylite-2420-flashlight.html

http://www.rescuestreamer.com/

https://gpssignal.com/aquafix_406.htm

CGRS – Chesapeake VA – a coast guard rescue swimmer – reposted with permission.

Preparing for Catalina Island sail tour   

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
I am beginning to plan a peddle / paddle / sail tour to and around Catalina Island from Newport Harbor in an Adventure Island. At this stage I am thinking of a 7 to 10-day time budget.

I have been to Catalina twice and collected the tourist literature; I also have looked at a few island websites. I have been camping and canoe touring for years on freshwater lakes and rivers.

But this will be a step up in terms of possible conditions and hazards, and I want to research and prepare in detail. (Please understand I have found that the planning and anticipation will be a pleasure in its own right.)

I am opening the following physical files and computer directories based on past experience plus new concerns:

1. Navigation, including maps, trip plan, and notifications
2. Communication gear and information, contact list
3. Water safety gear and information
4. Weather and ocean condition information: sources, planning, hazards, and contingencies
5. Camping gear, reservations, and locations
6. Food and water: supplies, gear and replenishment options
7. Repair gear and spare parts kits, including island sources
8. Photo gear, spares, and island resources
9. Health and hygiene gear, supplies, and island resources
10. Fishing gear, supplies, guides , and island resources
11. Clothing, outer gear, and washing stuff, including island resources
12. Kayak rigging and equipment, including island resources
13. Budget and island access to funds

Thoughts? Thanks.
 

Would a drift chute be of any use to this endeavour?

Maybe a foldable, aluminum kayak cart? in case you need to do a little moving to land.

Kelp anchor.

JB Weld for instant repairs

RTV auto gasket sealer, dries fast, stays rubbery

Leatherman tool

bunch of fasteners and caribiners , quick clips, tuna clips etc...

Don't forget the speargun : O )

Oh yeah, the Redwood Trading Post in Redwood City has a bunch of stuff you may be interested in and prices are decent. Lots of good water containers and waterproof goods. Rope, rigging etc etc...

http://www.redwoodtradingpost.com/

Sounds like a fun trip.  It should be do-able - I mean, if they can cross it with paddle boards one should be able to cross in a yak with a sail.  The only problem is, of course, something going wrong but that could be minimized somewhat with carefull prep.  I would think if something went wrong you could be in pretty big trouble pretty quick.   

I researched this exact same idea a while back and came across something that said that a handheld vhf radio was not sufficient out there . .and you needed a more powerfull radio (presumably a big battery too).  Anybody here know about that?

Excellent posts, greatly appreciated.

The plan is for a powerboat "mothership " that should give a greater margin of safety.  My buddy has a 30' or so boat we have taken to Catalina twice, and intend to use for a detailed look all around the island soon. It has a powerful GPS, VHF radio, etc.

(Budget for gear is getting a bit intimidating.)

Keep the info coming!

Thanks.