MacGregorSailors.com

[quote]It is almost painful for me to read this and not being able to join you guys, due to what I think is my lack of sailing experience.

So that raises an important question that may be best suited for a new thread, but here it goes. How much experience sailing/motoring do you think is necessary before making this type of California Coastal Islands trip?
I have been boating for years close to shore in a small fishing and R&R boats, but I just bought a 26M and am woundering how long it "typically" takes to be up to this kind of GREAT trip, which is EXACTLY why I bought the boat, to explore the CA islands. [/quote]

Rich I moved your question to the main discussion page.

Its all a matter of confidence in your boat and your abilities. I took the USCG basic class and learned a lot. I joined the Auxillary and spent a lot of time out on the water on patrols.

Spent many days sailing and motoring around channel islands harbor, out around the breakwater, out to the oil platform and finally up the coast to ventura harbor. My wife actually sailed quite a bit as a teen and was a good teacher. My point is that after a while the comfort level rises and you enjoy it.

Last summers trip to the san juans was our first multi day trip. What an adventure and what made it so nice was there were a bunch of other mac owners there to share it with, and to rely on if needed.

Come on over to Channel Islands and spend a weekend. Got a bunch of enthusiastic mac owners over here, who would love to sail around with you. A guest slip is only 15 bucks and the weather is cool here! Its usually in the mid 70s. Dont forget there is the breakwater...the oil platform .....and the islands!

Give me a PM or hit the email button.

Steve, one of the nicest thing about our boats is that it easy to learn on. If it gets too windy out, reef or drop sails and start motoring. I have owned many different sailboats over the years from a Catalina/Capri 22, 25, and 26 to an Islander Freeport 38C. The Mac is by far the easiest one to sail and especially to learn on. I would not hesitate at all to motor/sail over to Catalina especially with other Mac's. The seas and wind are usually calm in the mornings and you can motor pretty quickly and safely. Once you get over to Catalina, you can stop the motor, raise the sails, and sail up and down the coast line with protective seas. The best way to learn to sail is get out there and do it!!!!!
Jeff

I had to move my reply to this question from the events thread to here.

I'm not sure I'm qualified to answer, but at the same time I think my reply is relevant.

I went on the Ensenada trip. I'm considering, but not likely to show up for the Catalina trip in the works, and for sure want to go next year wherever.

I took delivery of the Dwen this January. She is the first boat I have ever owned. I have taken some lake sailing lessons and I timeshared a catalina 22 on a lake for a year.

That's the extent of my experience.

Maybe in my defense, I've read everything I can find, then re-read all of them. This board is for certain the best source of practical information there is.

I know I'm inexperienced and kept that at the front of my mind at all times. Every decision was the most conservative possible. I listened to all the people who have the experience and I hope I didn't make them feel they were babysitting me.

Bottomline, these trips are why I got this particular boat after 5 years of shopping.

In the 8 months I've had the Dwen, I've sailed the Columbia River, theWillamette River, San Francisco Bay, the Sacramento Delta, Folsom Lake, Marina Del Rey to Santa Catalina and now San Diego to Ensenada. Nearly all of it single handed.

Just how many boats of any size could match that diversity?

Paraphrasing Mark Twain, "20 years from now, it won't be the things you did that you regret."

Study the trip. Don't let it be the concept that makes you shy. Let it be something concrete like threats of 75mph winds. That did if for me and Lake Mead.

Another thought on experience. When somebody talks about 20 years of experience, is it truly 20 years of experience or 1 year 20 times?

The other thing to remember is that on these trips you are with other boaters who probably have more experience. As a newcomer, making the passage in a group will give you more confidence in your abilities, without exposing you, your crew, and your vessel to the risk of making an unknown crossing on your own.

If you are at all unsure of your abilities, travel with a group; and let them know you are a newcomer and would like to have someone "Tag along" with you to make sure you don't have any problems. I'm sure someone from the group would be happy to give you the emotional support of being there.

--Mark

Mgg4's comment is right to the point. This summer I did my first cruise, and almost my first days of sailing on my M, as part of the Trailer/Sailor Association's Lake Huron North Channel trip. We were out for two weeks, and there is no way I could have done it without the help and encouragement of the members of the group. It makes a world of difference, and I would advise you to try as soon as you can. You'll learn so much that you won't feel hesitant again.

Good sailing

Jim Bunnell

I agree with Mark. I don't think (actually I'm sure) I wouldn't have had the confidence to have made the Channel Island trip last year. And without having done that I don't think I would have felt I could have done the ensenada trip this year.

Admittadly I was shaking a bit leaving Long beach headed out solo to meet the group in Oxnard for reasons other then the morning chill. By the last day I was comfortable enough to split off and spend a day sailing to Santa barbara without a worry.

I was surprized at how quickly my confidence level rose. I've was also fortunate enough to not have run into any extreme conditions so obviously don't push past what common sense and you own comfort level tell you.

Watch who you follow though, last year 17 boats were silly enough to follow ME around the San Juans for a week.

We all learned from each other. It was my first time out Deception Pass just like everyone else. Only difference was I was at the front of the line. Even though I had been in the islands before, it was the first time I had ever been to the exact places we went to.

Ask about who you are following or you may find you have as much or more experience as the leader.

I also agree with Mark. Its nice to tag along with someone who knows the way in a new place.
I never heard of the San Juan Islands before last year's flotilla. Now it is our summer homeon our boat. Thanks Duane.
Talking about Deception, they now have a ramp to the floats and you can stay 3 nights on the floats. They are also putting in new ramps. We bought a yearly pass for $90 and got our money back in a week.
If someone did not explain at the flotilla how to get in and out of Deception at high and low slack tides, it looks unpassable. it is like a river there otherwise. 4 million people a year come down to look at the rapids and you would think it is unpassable.

When we came back in last year at the end of the trip we were alone. The timing was such that we arrived at peak flood current with the pass running at 7+ knots. You can use the pass at times other than slack as long as it is going with you. We went through at peak flood with the current. We were motoring at what normally would have given us 7 knots of speed. The speed over ground on the GPS was over 14 knots. Since we were going faster than the water flow there was no problem with control. You just have to pay attention to avoiding the whirlpools which are quite a sight. The boys were very impressed. You kinda have to zig zag about as they tend to be about half the channel width in diameter. The only bad thing about this is going that fast with the current we were through in no time and didn't get to enjoy the sights very long. Once through you have to make a hard right and crab your way across the current flow to slide into Cornet Bay.

We were through there again this summer on 7/12. I didn't notice the changes or construction then but we were just passing through. We stopped thinking we might stay but ended up continuing on around for fuel at Oak Harbor and then on down to Langley for the night. It was our longest run of the trip, 57.96 miles from Deer Harbor, out Lopez Pass and in through Deception Pass then south to Langley.

We may hitch up and head out tomorrow for 4 days up there as well. I'm thinking of launching at the Swinomish channel bridge, but Cornet is also an option.

I don't think I am ready to try entering Deception at peak flood yet. I saw a large boat being dragged over to one side of the pass by the whirlpools. He was not in the center of the channel but on one side to allow another boat to pass him and he did not guage the speed of currents right.

Kevin, upon rereading your post you said you did the Ensenada trip. I think anyone who finished that open ocean trip is experienced enough in my mind, certainly enough to sail to Catalina. Adding your other trips I would say you are very experienced. Maybe I missed something?

I've squeezed a lot of experiences in the months that I've owned the Dwen, but she's my first boat.

That's experiences. Not experience. When I've been sailing for a while I might have the audacity to call myself experienced. Right now I'm a novice who goes to great lengths to avoid sailing over my head and recognizing the wisdom of those who are experienced.

That's the beauty of this board. A flood of experience being shared and all you have to do is read.

I've made a lot of small mods to the Dwen and all of them have worked perfectly first time, because all of them are based on the collective experience of the people on this board.

docking, launching and loading is where you will damage your boat.
Dock in slips by backing up in to the slip with all rudders down, this gives you the greatest control.

Load your boat by hand and you will get wet until you get the hang of it, do not try to drive on the trailer.

sailing in winds at 10 mph and under is the best to learn. anything over 12 mph do not sail until you get the hang of it.

Keep the boat flat, lean no more than 15 degrees.

always be sure ballast is full before raising any sail.

do these things and you can sail anywhere with little experience.

If you anchor for the night be sure to set it with three times the depth of the water.
Back the boat until anchor is holding under power. then have a good night sleep.

One word of caution, be careful running with the wind and waves, that is when you have least control, under sail or under power.

A run of 50 miles to protected areas is no problem, just check the weather before you leave. Power with in a hour of the spot you want then sail.

This is how I got comfortable with my 2001 x.
I have now 400 hours in the motor and not near that on the sails.
Living in Alaska requires a lot of motoring. I fish more than sail or motor,
I can offer advice on landing a big halibut, shoot it with a 410 shot gun and do not bring it in the boat.
WindMusher.com
Mark