Channel Islands, CA - July 2005 Loop Trip

[zuma hans]

This trip really sounds fun. I hope to join it!

One question. Does anyone have a radar? I would hate for a little flotilla like this to run up against a container ship in the Santa Barbara Channel shipping lanes.

I sail across the lanes verrrrrry carefully. One sudden Sunday afternoon fogbank last winter was a scary experience. VHF 16 was overloaded with radar-less skippers hailing radar skippers, asking exactly where those 25 mph mobile foghorns were!

[dclark]

BTW, Dave, I'd love to have one of those Pacific Coast guides from Minney's!

I knew there was a reason I bought 3...I'll hang on to the last one and give it to you when I see you in July. I figure the day out to Santa Barbara Island will be the longest leg. I'd like to sail as much of it as possible (I don't plan on bringing a ton of fuel - maybe 15-18 gallons to last from Santa Barbara to at least Catalina), but will probably need to motor some to make it by dark.

Radar? No radar here. But I don't expect major fog problems by mid July (wishful thinking?). Considering that we will cross the shipping lanes once on the way out and once more coming back, it shouldn't be a problem.

Reminds me of a picture I took two years ago. It's really a picture of Tim a half mile or so ahead of me as we crossed a container ship. You have to look hard to find the sail boat dwarfed by the ship. Kind of puts things in perspective.

[dclark]

Now that it's getting closer (not much more then 2 months), I've been wondering if there is anything I should do. I can't think of much but since there may be a lot of us needing guest slips on Santa Barbara maybe I should contact the Harbor Master. I'm not sure how many they would normally have or if they accept reservations. I also think I remember readin somewhere (Fagan's book maybe) that you should check for the bomb test schedule before heading put to Santa Barbara Island. I suppose that would be a good idea although I haven't a clue where I'd find that schedule.

On another note, I learned (from an article that Bob Kelley gave me) that Santa Cruz Island is closed to all landings (this includes the campgrounds). It has something to do with them trying to save the island fox by killing off another someting (can't remember what...pigs maybe?). In any case it's still open to boaters so it doesn't really change anything for us.

[Captain Steve]

Dave, you are right it is PIGS. Was out to Smugglers Cove n tues...anchored up for lunch on the USCG mooring ball. Nice and flat both directions. Wind out of the south...rare but the storm was coming. I have heard that SB does not take reservations...first come first served.

[richandlori]

Ok Guys,

The Admiral and I were coordinating our vacation time and we are a go for the trip (weather permitting).

We are based in Channel Islands Harbor (CIH) in Oxnard and will plan to hook up with the flotilla as it is heading to Santa Barbara on Saturday July 9th. We plan on sticking with the group throught Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, and once we hit Anacapa (or pass it by) will will pull off and head home back to CIH. We figure that for our first "Big" trip that will be a good plan since we will be cruising with the kids.

Has there been any thought given to the itenary? Saturday night in Santa Barbara Marina looks good, but after that is there any plan on the number of days we will spend at Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz? We are pretty open and flexable.

It is getting closer and I can't wait for the trip! I think the Admiral will just be happy once it starts so that my spending spree at West Marine will come to an end I just don't have the heart to tell her it may never come to an end.

Rich

Crew: Captain Rich, Admiral Lori (age unkown), First Mate Amy (7yrs old), Second Mate Jason (6yrs old)

[BK]

Rich, we are doing the same itinerary. We will tow up to Oxnard like we did the last channel Island trip and hook up with you guys there. Is there enough temp slips in SB for all of us?
I read that Santa Cruz Island has changed the rules since talking with Dave and is allowing some landings. We need to check at the Channel Island National Park museum before leaving for the lastest info.

[Timmy Z]

Jim,

Are you still thinking of going on the trip? I can meet you in San Diego or Oceanside if you still feel you want to sail along side someone. I sail mostly by myself and dont have an autopilot. It can be done and gets a little tiring sometimes but still makes for a great time. Hope to see ya. It will be great to see the rest of you again, Im looking forward to the trip.

[richandlori]

BK,

I know Santa Barbara has plenty of slips, but they are first come/first serve. How many boats do we have thinking about comming and needing space at Santa Barbara? 10? I can call the Santa Barbara Harbor Office and see if it is possible to make pre-arangements for a group our size.

Capt Steve, with your Coast Guard Auxilliary connections, do you know any info on Santa Barbara slips?

Rich

[BK]

I don't want to name anyone but someone in the San Juan flotilla had only cheese and crackers for food so maybe we should make a list of things to bring along. There are no supermarkets, bars, vending machines or anything on these islands.
How long is the Channel Island part of the trip? 5 days?
I have 2 5-day coolers and that should be able to hold everything. I use block ice as it lasts longer. We are big on a stew made of hambuger, canned veg, tomato sause and a can of Dinty Moore. BTW, all trash is carried out.
I have a 12 foot inflatable so I can ferry people to shore if needed. Do we have a channel picked out on the radio yet? I am bringing 2 Danforth anchors, a mast night light, a tent if seas are too rough at night, rocker stoppers, 30 gallons of gas from SB, 20 gallons of water, extra batteries, good tool kit, bug spray, sun tan lotion, asprin. SunShower, snorkle and mast w/fins, hiking boots, hats, sunglasses.

[Frank C]

And to amplify Bob's list, here's a list from page one of this thread:
Suggested Equipment & Preparations

California's Channel Islands (CCI) are a wilderness setting, no piers, few improvements. We'll make this cruise 'en masse' to add safety and assistance for each other, but self-sufficiency is a target. Not comprehensive, but here's an initial planning list. Feel free to suggest additions. . . . . "Things" needed for this cruise, some essential, some just handy:

• * Brian Fagan's "Cruising Guide to CA Channel Islands" ~$15 used on Ebay
  * Islands charts .... a chart book is available ~$50
  * (Essential) VHF radio, maybe a backup radio too, plus ample batteries
  * (Essential) Handheld GPS - even tho a large group, it's easy to lose track of each other if fog settles.
  * 12v "jump starter battery" for emergency power of above
  * (Essential) Two amply-sized anchors that you are comfortable with setting - you definitely want your boat to stay put overnight!
  * (Essential) Goodly amounts of anchor rode. Some of these anchorages will place you at 35 feet, deck to bottom, so at least one rode at 200' is a good idea.
  * Rocker stoppers (these anchorages can rock 'n roll all night long)

Suggested Preparations:

• * Sailing rig examined, repaired, and in good shape
  * Steering rig examined, repaired, and in good shape
  * Outboard in good repair
  *

[richandlori]

This weekend (Memorial Weekend) we are making a dry run of sorts. Saturday and Sunday night on the boat, but we will be staying in Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard. We have planned all our food and supplies and will strive to not have to make a run to the store!
I have been planning and planning for this trip and the things I still need to get are a second anchor (Danforth style, chain, and 200ft of rode), some rocker-stoppers, and an anchor light. I think I have covered everything else......as you said, there isn't a West Marine to pop into if you forget something one we leave Santa Barbara.

We also plan on bringing a dingy 9ft for beach landing.

We should select a radio channel in advance, any suggestions?

Float Plan: it wouldn't be a bad idea to file a float plan individually eventhough we will be traveling in a group.

I should say to the group that this will be our first major trip and my crew (wife and two kids 6 and 7) are comfortable on the water, but not seasoned seamen by any means. So traveling in a group is giving us the "courage" to make the trip.


Rich

[Captain Steve]

Rich,

I will see what is available at SB. I am off to MDR to the Del Rey Yacht Club. My yacht club is visiting so its free slips for the weekend. down on friday and back on monday.

Not sure what my plans are regarding the trip, I am still in for the San Juan trip. However I will be in the area so I am up for a BBQ for whoever can make it either way. Got the BBQ and a spa in the backyard so we can make plans as it gets closer. At minimun we may sail out for a visit when you are at santa rosa.

[BK]

Steve, since you live in that area and know the wind conditions in the Channel and are coming out to SR from Oxnard, would you say it is better to go that way than from SB to SR? To leave from Oxnard and get to Anacapa is only 13 miles and then you have the safety of the islands to protect you from the wind as you make your way to Santa Rosa.
I estimate it is 30 miles from Oxnard to SB and then 36 miles from SB to SR. It is 30 miles from Oxnard to SR directly.

[Frank C]

Capt Steve is clearly the local authority, but I'm the one who suggested SB city to Sta Rosa, based on Fagan's guide. One mile upwind can be tougher and rougher than five miles downwind. That's the justification underlying the counter-clockwise cruise plan.

As I recall it ... Fagan says that prevailing conditions make it rather difficult to get to Santa Rosa's one good anchorage, its south cove. In another cruise story, I read that even the short sail to Rosa from Santa Cruz Island was difficult, upwind into pretty stiff chop (article in Sail magz about two years back). So, it seems the most practical approach to Rosa is the reach from SB city. If one wanted to join midway, it seems that Santa Cruz is a more realistic rendezvous.

Finally, the sail from Oxnard to SB city isn't necessarily a piece of cake. One scenario includes launching at SB, and then a caravan from Long Beach back to pick up trailers. But, if time permits, I think I'm going for the full 360 cruise, launching at Long Beach and sailing back into Long Beach. I expect that Dave and Timmy Z feel likewise. It probably requires about the same time invested, but it's worth almost double the adventure points!

[Frank C]

The Channel Islands National Park is an interesting example of potential conservancy that is well-removed from the impacts of society, though many efforts are currently necessary to reverse the effects of earlier human impacts. There are many examples of these efforts highlighted on the Park's page of news releases. Channel Islands Nat'l Park News

2001 - MSRP Fact Sheet (Montrose Settlements Restoration Program):
... Recently, state and federal agencies settled legal claims against Montrose and several other companies for the release of these contaminants. A total of $30 million in settlement funds will be used to restore injured natural resources.

The bald eagle was adopted as America's national symbol in 1782 and revered by Native American cultures. In 1782 there were between 25,000 and 75,000 birds in the lower 48 states. By the early 1900s, the bald eagle population had dropped to 834 birds. In 1967, the bird was officially designated as an endangered species.

Early 2002
... (MSRP) Trustees are undertaking a study to determine the feasibility, given the continued presence of contaminants in the marine environment, of recolonizing the Northern Channel Islands with bald eagles. The study will involve releasing juvenile eagles on Santa Cruz Island and monitoring their exposure to DDT over a five-year period.

Beginning in 2002, up to 12 juvenile eagles will be transported to a "hack tower" on Santa Cruz Island each year. The birds will reside in the tower for a month to acclimate and gain fly on their own. The eagles will then be released from the hack towers. Seven of the birds introduced in 2002 are flying free on the northern islands. An eighth bird is on the mainland.

March 2003
Twelve American bald eagles, the symbol of our nation's freedom and heritage, will be released into the Northern Channel Islands this summer as a step towards reestablishing the historical island population. On Sunday July 20, 2003 at 7:30 a.m. several of the young bald eagles can be seen at the Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center prior to their trip to Santa Cruz Island. This is the second phase of a five year project to release bald eagles in the northern Channel Islands.

The bald eagle release is part of a larger plan to restore natural resources using a $30 million legal settlement with defendants that dumped DDT and PCBs in the area more than three decades ago. The chemicals entered the food chain and prevented eagles from reproducing successfully.