Catalina Anyone? (for Jul-Aug 2008)

[pokerrick1]

I don't recall Avalon taking reservations for anything, ever - - - but you can request the string line when you arrive and talk to Hrabormaster boat.

Rick

[Hardcrab]

Rick,
I think we are talking about Two Harbors, not Avalon.
Either someone told me, or I read it here, that they would take phone reservations for the string line there.
I don't remember which one it was.

Have you splashed The Nuts yet?
You lucky dog.

[dennisneal]

I think the answer regarding reservations is in the very last paragraph of the following webpage:

http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/twoH ... ooring.php

As I see it, if one has a sublease of a particular mooring site, then it can be reserved ahead of time. Otherwise, its first-come, first served.

There are plenty of mooring sites available at Two Harbors. Isthmus Cove has 249 mooring sites and 100 anchorages. I think there will be room for all members of our small flotilla to be very close to each other. I will personally "block out" a site, if requested, upon arrival, if I can do it.

I'm sure that Captain Mike Inmon knows all of the ins and outs of this little venture. I'm glad that he told me that he would come along.

[rossalan]

I'm in for 08/08/08

PM me with details...

Ross

[Finn]

Hello Everyone,

I talked to the a very nice lady at the Catalina Harbor Department this morning and she confirmed that it is possible to make reservations for the stringline at Two Harbors. When doing so, a creditcard and the registration numbers on the boat are required.

She also said that if would probably not be necessary to reserve spots for the 08/08/08 trip.

I'm looking forward to seeing you all there on the 8th. I'll be there Friday afternoon.

Finn

[Hardcrab]

Thanks for the follow up Finn.
So far, Finn, rossalan, dennisneal,and Hardcrab are on.
Mike Inmon has changed plans and declined.
David Mellon has yet decided.
A sunrise departure from MDR on 08/08/08 just sounds like all around good juju.

Anyone else up for a go at it?

[Patrick Gilbert]

Hello everyone. I have been monitoring the trip planning and I have decided to go as well. Will leave MDR on Friday morning, but have not decided if I will spend Thursday night at Burton Chance Park as of yet. Hardcrab, are you really leaving at sunrise? *I will slow motor/sail to the Two Harbors and meet up with everyone. For those of you who have not been to Two Harbors yet, there is a very good restaurant there.

Patrick Gilbert
"Tropico"(99MacX)
Canyon Country, CA
[email protected]

[Hardcrab]

Patrick,
Sure, I'm open to leaving when others would like.
My single vote for a sunrise departure is based on three things.
First, the mooring bouys/string line are first come, first served. Reservations notwithstanding, as Finn discovered.
Secondly, the early morning hours are much more likely to have calmer seas and calm winds. Very nice conditions for a motor run over.
Thirdly, simple habit and anticipation. Once I'm all packed and primed, I sort of chomp at the bit to get in motion. I'm like a kid on Christmas Eve.

The second reason is the only one that has any unbiased logic to it, unless you are sailing the 30+nm over.

Do you have a time that would work better for you?
Finn has said he will leave later on Friday because they would like to sail over.


Oh, by the way, we should all use and monitor VHF ch 68 as a group freq. It's as good as any other.

[David Mellon]

68 it is! I have reservations for Saturday night at a friends can. They may move me to the stringline once I arrive. I may not leave until Saturday morning, we shall see if I can get out Friday afternoon. I will embark from Cabrillo Beach ramp and shave ten miles off the trip. See you there!

[pokerrick1]

I ill second the motion that these is a very good restaraunt at Two Harbors on the east side. I was surprised last time we went at how good the food, service, and hospitality were. Recommended!

Rick

[Patrick Gilbert]

Hello Hardcrab.
I guess that I will also spend Thursday night at the guest slip and leave early Friday with you, however I will motor/sail untill the wind is strong enough to sail alone. I don't mind how long it takes as I take as much joy in the voyage as the destination. Will launch early afternoon Thursday. See how easy it is to talk me into somthing I wanted to do anyways. Hope many others will also join us in Two Harbors.

Patrick Gilbert
"Tropico"(99MacX)
Canyon Country, CA
[email protected]

[Hardcrab]

I just read on the "Latitude 38" website (great monthly mag out of San Fran), that they are having some kind of Baha Ha Ha shindig at Two Harbors on the Saturday (Aug 9) of the trip.
This might be a two edged sword.
More crowded but more to observe.
I don't think the stringline will be affected.
Any boat going to Mexico should be to long for it.

[dennisneal]

If the Ba Ha Ha'ers are having a big party on Saturday August 9th, I think we can beat them there by arriving rather early on Friday the 8th.

I heard that a MacGregor actually won the Ba Ha Ha race,(maybe I'm wrong, but I think its an amusing story), by motorsailing at wide-open-throttle when allowed! The story goes that the next year they changed the rules to limit the entrants to boats longer than twenty seven feet. Am I wrong?

I'd say, let's keep it at the 8th, unless a typhoon develops. Of course I can always be outvoted, but I think a BA Ha Ha party might bring another, interesting, element to our trip. Otherwise, we can change to the 15th, but I think there will be minor snags, no matter which day is chosen. Several people have made plans. Let's keep it at the 8th.

Dennis

[Hardcrab]

We agree, the 8th as the date is our vote also.

[Kelly Hanson East]

OK, I'm a bit of a coward when beyond 15 miles offshore and going into the shipping lanes for the first time

This is called 'seamanship' and is a quality worth noting and I commend you for having it. Pushing your experience limits is a necessary thing to get better, and doing it wisely with company is a smart way to do it.

Well done, Captain.