08/20 - 08-26 - Catalina Adventure in Paradise 2006

Jim,

I now have a 9.5' dink with an inflatable floor and keel. I had it up in the San Juans last summer. I carried the dink over in the cockpit to James Island. Once there, I unrolled in out on the engines and inflated it with the battery powered pump, then set it in the water to tighten up with the foot pump. Once inflated, I left it in the water and towed it for the remainder of the trip. It handled great at 18 knots in the protected waters. You would want to go slower in the waters down here with the swells and wind waves.
Heck, I'll race you with the oars. We have the same size boat, should be fairly even.
 
Ah, the competitive juices are starting to flow, the positioning, the handicaping, the cheating? No, my friends, this will be a bare knuckle race, no motors!! I don't think the Harbor Patrol would appreciate a group of screaming, powered dingys racing around their pier. No, your engines are all removable. "No rules" means you can have fifteen people paddling your dingy, but no engines.

Pounder, there is a launch ramp just up the street from where we keep our boats in Channel Islands Harbor. I'm not sure of the daily fee, but I'm sure it's not as much as MDR. You could also park your vehicle in our parking lot at Channel Islands Landing for free. We could get a parking pass to go in your window that would keep you from getting a ticket. For a small fee, ($20), they could even launch you with the hoist. We normally plan to leave Channel Islands at around 0900 on Sunday morning. Takes about 3 hours to cruise down to MDR.
 
From MDR to the Isthmus, it's 30nm. From San Pedro (Cabrillo ramp) it's about 20nm, but that area is pretty dicey; parked there over this last 4th of July weekend for 4 days, no problems though. Since I have the option, I'm going to launch at MDR and pay their fees, it is a pretty secure lot with good patrols.

Looking forward to the dingy race Mike, great idea. Maybe I'll have to feather, shape and "turbocharge" my oars...or would that trigger a handicap rating adjustment!
 
Here's a recap of those boats signed up for the Catalina Adventure 2006:

Sealife
BobCat
C-PuP
Discovery
Dora-Jean
Fishtales
Islander
Salty-Cs
Sea3PO
Pounder (Not listed on the sign-up sheet, but he wouldn't dare miss this)

How about koinonia, and Lil Rascal, and Water Lily?
 
Wild Blue and crew are still planning to be there if the timing works out... all depends on the shakedown when we pick the boat up. Sounds like big fun!
Best wishes,
Jim & Joan B.
 
We are thinking about trying to make this since we did not make our Puget Sound trip. How about someone posting where to launch and leave the rig, when most people will be heading over, and any other general info.

Thanks,
Steve
 
SeaSpray,

Check out the very first post on this thread for that info. Additionally, most of us meet Sunday at Chase Park in Marina Del Rey. Chase Park is just down the channel from the MDR launch ramp. I believe they charge about $16 to stay overnight, and they have shore power and nice showers. We usually get together that evening for dinner.....it's a short walk to resturants and the market for last minute provisions. The next morning, bright and early, we all head over to Catalina. It's usually very calm in the early hours.....takes about 2 hours to cross. The launch ramp/parking lot charges $7 per day. So if you intend on staying at Catalina for 6 days, it's $42. Those of us that live north of L.A. will launch at Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard, and cruise down, avoiding the $42 charge. It's a 3 hour cruise. If that fits your location, let me know and I'll give you further info on the launching facilities at Channel Islands Harbor.

The first night over at Catalina (Monday) is traditionally a beach barbecue, with me supplying the beef, and everyone pitching in with side dishes, etc.. How familiar are you with Catalina......mooring, shore facilities, etc? There's plenty of info on line, but if you need mire let me know.
 
Wild Blue,

Sure hope you can join us. Can't think of a better first cruise than Catalina. It would also make for a good shake down cruise, as you would have lots of company (security), and another 25 footer or two to compare notes with.
 
Steve (Seabran),

Go back to the first post, Mike outlined the general agenda. Basically boats will arrive at Marina Del Rey on Sunday, either by sea from Channel Islands Marina or park at MDR and launch. I plan to park there along with a few others and pay the $7 per day, it's a nice lot, clean, well patroled.

You can stay overnight in the parking lot or launch and get a spot at the Guest Dock, I think it's about $15-20 per night unless rates have gone up. Dinner can be on board or maybe some will go for a short walk to one of the many restaurants nearby.

Monday morning the main group will leave for the Isthmus, Catalina. Either Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday will be an excursion to one of the other islands, like Santa Barbara or San Clemente, dependent upon weather and optional of course. Usually have a group pot-luck fish fry that evening.

Diving, fishing, hiking, kayaking and generally kicking back is the itinerary, very pleasant at that end of the island, no rushing around. Friday night is the farewell supper at the one and only restaurant (not counting the bar and grill). Very nice, can't miss. Heading back on Saturday. This itinerary seems to work well, it avoids the heavier weekend rushes on Saturday nights.

Some people will arrive later than the main group or leave earlier, just make sure you tell Mike so he or others can plan reserving a mooring or place on the 'string line' for the days you'll be staying. Glad to hear you're thinking of coming, this is a great trip.
 
OK, we've signed up (our first official C-Brat gathering) and are excited about making this trip. Our boat is supposed to be done next week and we will be picking it up shortly after that. It will be a real treat for us to see how others have set up their boats for cruising and traveling with a group (another first for us).

Best wishes,
Jim & Joan B.
 
Mike,

Anyway to get ahold of Kononia separately from this net? I see them on almost every trip I make to Catalina. But I keep forgetting to mention the August trip (which they have come to before).

Wow, that string line will be full of C-Dory's. Hope they can get us in? If not, we can stay on a mooring, we'll commute to the string...
 
We don't have a dinghy, but we do have a kayak. Can we enter in the kayak division?

Katy and I will be going over on Monday and returning on Wednesday. I just dived Ship Rock last weekend and it was great, even with a strong current. All you scuba folk need to ding over to Dive Cat for fills. Please make sure your tanks are in date or I can't fill. I can go to 3500 for HP steels with DIN. Freedivers, if you want to go around the corner for y-tail and white sea bass, rig your guns and floats appropriately and I'll lead the expedition, probably on Tuesday, weather permitting.

This is going to be a wonderful gathering and we're really excited to be a part of it.

Bob Cat and Katy
 
Hey, Bob Cat, kayaks are in, but might need a handicap start.

Now that I've got a cruiser model that can sleep two guys without starting a scandal, I'm bringing a CGAUX buddy with me, Bob Holm. Great, gregarious guy, who has his own inflatable kayak to race also. This trip is really shaping up well.

I'm busier than a one armed paper hanger. Leading an CGAUX OPEX (Operational Exercise) today thru Sunday, where we qualify new crew members, and re-certify old ones. Got to drive the CG's 25' RB-S Safe Boat (twin 225hp Hondas) today through 3-4 seas at near wide open throttle. Sitting on full suspension seats.....a blast and a half!! Had the helm for about 30 minutes, taking it outside the breakwater and then back, even docking it. Then the Operations Officer sent me a Powerpoint presentation of the brand new RB-M (Response Boat - Medium) a 44 footer that looks like a cross between the 25 RB-S and the 47' Motor Life Boat. First one due out in late 2007.
 
Hi Brats,

I am in negotiations with the boss on the dates I can go. I am thinking that I will be able to leave Sunday and come home Wednesday. We have family coming in from Geneva Switzerland. I am off work for two months for family leave to bond with the new baby. My wife went back to work this week and left me home 3 full days with the 2 Little Rascals. Turns out the Rascals are killing me. I can't wait to get back to work and get some rest. I will finalize the dates soon. Back to the abuse.

Scott
 
Bob Cat and Katy are bringing dessert for the Monday night BBQ.

And we'll probably be over on Sunday rather than Monday to get an early start.

Bob Cat
 
Fishtales may be over on Sunday, also. Our friends with the Parker may be coming down with us. They are still undecided at this time. Depends on when they return from Alaska.
It's good to see that we are having a good turn out this year. It will be fun.
 
I'm also thinking Sunday morning, moorings/string should be easy to get. Depends on possible other near-term activities at the time, crew situation, etc.
 
Well, looks like our Parker friends won't be able to make it this year.
Having the auto pilot installed, hope to give it a good work out on this trip.
 
We have never done this trip before. Does one need radar or maybe not? We seem to have everything else except radar. What is the conventional wisdom?

J&P :shock:
 
Typically the weather is clear at this time of year, radar shouldn't be needed- but still wise to have if you plan on other trips on the big pond.

I should have my auto pilot installed by this weekend :cigar :beer
 
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