MacGregorSailors.com

Tom, I have signed up as well. Thanks for the tip.

Boat, sailed out of Oceanside two weekends ago for the first time with my daughter and grandkids. Loved the dock/launch, and sailing was great that day.

Did Mission Bay and off the coast the day before. Kelp was so thick off the coast almost damaged the rudder. Looks like I will be adding a self releasing clam cleat to prevent future issues should I find myself in simalur waters.

You have a great location!

Yeah, always figure an extra knot distance to get around Point Loma when sailing into or out of San Diego Bay to accommodate all the kelp.

You also need to sail a good three miles out from shore to get from Oceanside to Dana Point because of the big kelp beds off San Clemente.

Good to know, thanks. Did not sail above Camp Pendleton this past trip. Grand kids get bored quick!

bobflshmn wrote:Good to know, thanks. Did not sail above Camp Pendleton this past trip. Grand kids get bored quick!

Yeah, kids are very hard to entertain on a sailboat - that's where the MAC is far superior to all other sailboats!

When the kids start complaining just drop the sails and put in a few miles under WOT and watch how fast the kids get excited - you can't do that in a "regular" sailboat!


(EDIT!)
oop, I just noticed you in a D boat - well, forget that plan - how about packing some fishing poles? The kids like to fish even if they don't catch anything. Another fun thing to do is drag toy boats off the transom - kids like that too.

It's also a good idea to pack a kite on board when kids are around.

I've been able to extend sailing time by letting the kids take the helm. Only buys me about an hour or two if the wind isn't blowing pretty good. Always let them bring a friend. They like to sit in the pulpit and dangle their legs over the side. I pack snacks and drinks and let them play with their electronics. But, the trip always ends with Boat's solution - drop sails, fire up the Etec, and put some bugs in their teeth. The M fix for bored kids.

Yea with a D there is no high speed motor action! The seal lions helped keep them going for awhile.

At 2 and 5 I think I will skip the friends for now! Grandpa is not that friendly

The best ramp is past the Queensway bridge. It is called South Shore Launch Ramp. $12 a day last time I was there. Lots of pull through spaces with plenty of room for our rigs. Never came close to scraping my mast on the bridge, plenty of clearance at high tide. The channel is well marked but there is a sandbar running near the center. You will see a decorative lighthouse to port on the way out. There are guest docks for the restaurants and pumpouts for your head. On the starboard you can't miss the Queen Mary but look off it's port bow for a Russian submarine. Swing to starboard and head out to the ocean and Santa Catalina Island or cruise inside the breakwater for a nice flat ride. You may want to head up to see the ships at the nautical museum. If you do look out for the SeaLaunch facility, you may see them loading rockets into the carrier ship. Go into the lee of one of the oil drilling islands to drop a lunch hook. there are guest slips to be had as well. Long Beach/LA harbor is huge and there is plenty to see and do.

Thanks Greatly Captain David! So we can leave our cars there for 12 bucks a day and go to Catalina for a few nights! That’s great news. Extended parking for the cars is always a problem.

Thanks David, great news. Will try it out before Christmas if I can get it together.