Some one should invent a metal detector auto pilot for the boat. Then you can cross to Catalina pinging 60 years of beer cans, from port to port....Mac safe? yes, very good boat for that kind of thing.
Mike
Safe to go to Catalina Island ?
Re: Safe to go to Catalina Island ?
Afew things about the crossing to Catalina; we get fog here and you need to check the weather before you go. A quater mile visability would be ok. I would say 15-20mph wind and 4-6 foot seas is about max for the crossing or else it would be too rough for the Mac so leave early in the morning both ways. We leave about 8am as they don't give out spots in Catalina until 10am anyway until some boats leave. There are 40,000 boats in Socal and only 300 spots available in Avalon so go Monday thru Thursday for Avalon in the summer and in 2 harbors get there by Friday or you will be on the string line. South swells enter Avalon and make the boats roll. 2 harbors is much more protected from sea swells especially on the north side of the pier as it is away from the wind that comes accross the ismus. Make sure to have a dingy as they charge $6 per person on the shore boat each way. Snorkling is great at Lover's Beach in Avalon but no tieups for dingys. It was mentioned that there was a problem with a waiter taking credit card numbers in the 2 harbors restaurant so bring cash for food.
Re: Safe to go to Catalina Island ?
Forgot to mention the method of getting a spot a Catalina. 100% of the time there is a harbor boat waiting for you at the entrance to assign you a spot.
After getting a assigned spot you enter the mooring area with steering boards and keel down as it is a tight area. Pick up the floater and bring it up to the yellow line and tie off the front of the boat. Then with the same line you walk it back to the stern and and bring up the yellow line again that is at the back and tie it off at the transom. When leaving make sure the lines have sunk before moving as they can get tangled in you motor.
I bought my Mac for traveling to places I cannot get to easily. I have had 3 other fixed keel boats but how many times can you go to Catalina especailly at 5MPH? With the Mac you can go to the Bahamas, the Florida Keys, Mexico, Channel Islands, Gulf Islands, San Juans Islands and the menbers of this board have done so. The Mac has it hands down and you will never regret buying one. Roger has invented a unique boat and 20 years from now you will feel the same way. It is 9 years for me and I still love it.
After getting a assigned spot you enter the mooring area with steering boards and keel down as it is a tight area. Pick up the floater and bring it up to the yellow line and tie off the front of the boat. Then with the same line you walk it back to the stern and and bring up the yellow line again that is at the back and tie it off at the transom. When leaving make sure the lines have sunk before moving as they can get tangled in you motor.
I bought my Mac for traveling to places I cannot get to easily. I have had 3 other fixed keel boats but how many times can you go to Catalina especailly at 5MPH? With the Mac you can go to the Bahamas, the Florida Keys, Mexico, Channel Islands, Gulf Islands, San Juans Islands and the menbers of this board have done so. The Mac has it hands down and you will never regret buying one. Roger has invented a unique boat and 20 years from now you will feel the same way. It is 9 years for me and I still love it.