Staying with Boat at Anchor

D

Dart

New member
Hi All:

I'm new to camping with a boat.

I'm planning a trip out to the Channel Islands in September. We have a reservation at Scorpion campground on Santa Cruz Island, and although I can sleep on the boat, I hope to spend some time on land. I've gotten advice from several sailboat owners who frequent the Channel Islands that I should never leave my boat at anchor unattended - someone should always be on board. Four days aboard a 19 foot Angler is a bit much for me.

What's your advice? I know the channel islands weather is changeable, and the winds pick up in the afternoon. Assuming two large anchors, would you leave your C-dory at anchor unattended during the day?

Thanks for the help. I can take the ferry out and kayak, but how awesome would it be to have my boat out there...

Dart
 
I haven't done it in the Channel Islands, but have left my boat anchored unattended offshore on Lake Michigan without problems. This not in a bay or harbor, just off the beach.

I just make sure the anchor is set well before leaving the boat and the weather forecast is acceptable.

It depends on the reason why you should not leave it unattended. It is because it may drag or drift away (possibly by breaking the rode)? Or is it because someone may board the boat and get up to some mischief?

If the argument is that you never know what could happen and you can't be too careful, then by that reasoning you shouldn't leave your boat unattended even in a slip.
 
I have left all sizes boats up to 62 feet unattended at anchor in the channel Islands. But as noted the wind and swell can come up very rapidly and can be dangerous. As long as you set both anchors well, and are appropriate size for the C Dory you should be safe. I have never had an issue in Scorpion.

I spent one of the worse nights I ever had on a boat (including hurricane force winds at sea) at Coches Prietos which is several coves to the South of Scorpion. A swell started to come over the reef at night, which formed breakers which were 8 to 10 feet high on the beach. The boat would surge back on the bow anchor, and I could look over the stern and see the bottom, then as the wave broke the boat would surge forward--as if between rubber bands...

A friend lost his 30 foot Rawson on the rocks in Forney Cove at the West End of Santa Cruz, during a Santa Ana wind. There is no safe harbor on the North side of Santa Cruz during a Santa Ana wind. Probably a cove like the "Willows" would be safe.

I pulled a famous boat named "Passage Maker" out of the surf at Lady's Harbor. The owners had gone for a hike, and not properly set their anchor. We put a line aboard, using our engine and winches worked her off the beach before she was hard aground.

At Fry's I was anchored next to a friend with similar size and type boat. I had a snubber set on my anchor chain--my friend had it a chain stopper, with no elasticity. A heavy surge came in, and his chain broke. I got a line to him and my anchor held both boats.

As illustrated, it may be difficult to get ashore, or to get from shore to your boat, if one of these conditions comes up suddenly. I would have an inflatable dinghy, and be prepared to take it thru surf if necessary. A kayak would work fine. Definitely worth doing some paddling, diving and fishing if you are so inclined. Lots of places to take the boat for day trips to other coves.

If the weather or surf changes be ready to return to your boat immediately... The upper channel islands are far more dangerous than Catalina. Most of this is because of the heavy winds near Point Conception. I have seen these sudden surges at Catalina also--but they seem rarer and don't seem to last as long. Generally the surges I have experienced have not been prolonged at Sant Cruz.

I have used both Danforth and CQR plow anchors at Santa Cruz. The water is moderately deep, be sure you set the anchor in a sandy spot, and back down to be sure it is set. It is the custom to also set a stern anchor so that the bow is set into the swell.

Before you go, beg borrow or buy a copy of "The Diary of a Sea Captain's Wife, Tales of Santa Cruz Island".by Margaret H. Eaton before you go. It is well worth reading about life on the Island. There is a lot of interesting history on the Island. Much has to do with the Stanton Ranch, and the Gherini family had a sheep operation out of Scorpion. I was fortunate enough to have toured the Island during these ranching operations. It is all open to the public with permits now. Not sure if tours are available, but if possible take a tour to the interior. Some great hikes, but take water, watch out for snakes. Not sure if the wild pigs and foxes are still there, but spotting one of those used to be fun. The fox were quite tame.
 
thataway":1huw3wxa said:
As illustrated, it may be difficult to get ashore, or to get from shore to your boat, if one of these conditions comes up suddenly.

If the weather or surf changes be ready to return to your boat immediately...
Click to expand...

On Lake Erie we often anchor at a sand bar(Pottahawk). It is most days a windward shore so after setting the main I jump in and carry a stern anchor to set by hand, then swim to the bow with a carabiner to clip over the rode and draw it down to the bow eye. We then often go for a walk along the sand. The land is all owned by The Long Point Company so no trespassing.

OK here's the funny part - I have seen other boats drift away while anchored there and the owners return and have to go for a swim to catch it. So when we leave our boat I take or wear a life jacket. My wife thinks this looks ridiculous :P :P but ridiculous gives me piece of mind. :roll:

Regards, Rob
 
Dart, I would watch the weather very closely and if you have the time to pick and chose a day to make the passage, make it as calm as possible. Your boat is like a cork on water and the motion of wind and chop will be your nemesis. If a Santa Ana wind kicks up, get to the "lee side" of island and select a safe spot without delay! Make sure your anchor rode has the proper scope along with anti-chafe protection if using a snubber at the bow. Enjoy the experience and let us know how it went!
 
We took Journey On over to Santa Cruz Isle last year. I'll admit that's a 25 versus your 19. But we've taken a 22 Catalina sailboat over many times. The 19 will be the smallest boat there and you'll be proud of it.

So here's my advice. Leave the mainland in the morn when the sea is smooth. If it's really blowing in the morn, try waiting another day. Ventura is the best harbor to leave from because its less upwind than Channel Isles in the morn and it's downwind in the afternoon when you come home. Anchor in towards land to avoid the wind, looking out for the Island Packers boat. As Bob mentions, make sure to avoid the surf line at low tyde, several times we didn't. Use a Danforth anchor, at least not a plow. Expect it to be lumpy in the afternoon, but not near dangerous. You can also anchor in Little Scorpion, behind the rock.

The camp is right ashore and you can get there by an inflatable, best have a small outboard but you can row. Don't count on beaching the 19. I certainly wouldn't plan on staying on the boat all the time, you're there for the island too. Since the campground/beach is in sight of the boat, you certainly can keep an eye on it. If it becomes abnormally rough, go around San Pedro Pt to Smugglers Cove where you can anchor and go ashore. I believe a short walk from Smugglers will take you to Scorpion. It will calm down at night.

When you come back, leave at 9 of 10 in the morn and return to where you launch, peacefully. You should have a wonderful time. I love Santa Cruz Isle, been going there for 40 years. Had every boat we owned in the Painted Cave, including the 36' sloop.

Boris
 
Leaving your boat on the hook unattended for days at a time
in an unfamiliar area is like letting your pet run loose willy-nilly.

Either you feel lucky or don't care...

Aye.
 
Thanks! This is exactly what I wanted to know. As always, so much expertise in this forum.

I'll practice setting anchor before I go; get a second beefy Danforth; anchor in Little Scorpion but go to Smugglers if the Santa Ana picks up; leave from Ventura, and travel both ways in the morning. I'll have access to kayaks to get to and from the boat. I guess I better try out getting into the boat from a kayak, too.

I'll only leave the boat unattended in the afternoons, really, because I'll be sleeping on it at night, and fishing in the mornings.

I'll let you know how it goes.
 
If a Santa Ana is predicted, I would not take the boat. Go on the Ferry. When is your permit? I have seen mild Santa Ana almost every month of the year. But the Winter moths are the worse. Smugglers might not be safe either--and you might want to go on around to Coches Prietos, Alberts or The Willows. Just get out of any swell/waves.

Check out other boats anchored, and the condition of the bottom before choosing a place to anchor in either Scorpion or Little Scorpion. I haven't been there in a few years, but there used to be some of the commercial fishing and dive boats which anchored there in the past. Get a copy of the permitted fishing areas from Cal fish and game:

Wildlife California fishing limits

Map of Scorpion restricted fishing area

Be sure and have 7:1 Scope, including the height of the bow off the water. So in 30 feet of water, you will have a total of 241 feet of combined rope and chain rode off the bow.

If you can get a full copy of Calif. Fish and Game restrictions and license requirements try and get one to have aboard. There will be fish and game boats out there. There often is an inflatable or smaller boat not easily identified as CF&W--perhaps one of the larger boats off in the distance or around the corner.

I have anchored in the Channel Islands with a genuine CQR with several boats. Also a well set Fortress will work as well as a genuine High Test Danforth. I no longer use a CQR--but the Delta, Boss and Fortress. I emphasize the high test Danforth--that is the only one I trust--and not one of the many Danforth knock offs. There are some of the other new anchors, such as Ronca, Spade, Mantus, Manson Supreme which are also very good. Although I am using the 10# Boss as an experiment, I carry several Fortress 7 and one Fortress 11. For the 19 the Danforth HT 12 would be an excellent anchor. I have used that on the 29 foot sailboat which I spent the night on in Coches Prietos going back and forth--I have also used it as a stern, lunch hook and kedge anchor in every boat I owned up until about 10 years ago (meaning that I used that same anchor, 50 feet of chain, and 300' of Sampson Braid on Braid Nylon for over 50 years. (Wish I hadn't sold it a few years back).
 
The south end of Santa Cruz Isle is a National Park and no permit is needed to land.

The rest of the island (71%) is under the National Conservancy and a landing permit is needed. It costs $30 for 30 days or $70 for a year. You cannot stay on the north part of the island overnight, etc, etc.

Boris
 
Boris, I suspect you mean the East side of the Island on a line between Prisoner's cove on the North Side and Valley anchorage on the South side for NPS. I believe that you can still anchor in the coves during the night.

It is confusing in all of the channel Islands, where the North side faces the coast, and the South Side the open sea. Calif coast line takes a NW/SE direction, which is confusing. For example from Long Beach are 180 degree course will take you to Avalon, and 0 degree back to Long Beach (approximate courses)
 
Thanks Thataway - our camping permit is for September 20th through 26th. I know Santa Anas happen as early as September, but not sure how often. Having a hard time finding any historical data.
 
In Sept. it will be fairly rare to have a strong Santa Ana, but I have seen Southerlies, in Sept--which are more frequent in the summer months--and could leave Scorpion exposed. But heavy winds with these are rare.

You will have a great time. Hope you can take a day and run up the North side of the Island to the Painted Cave. Leave early in the morning--since the winds can really pick up by noon.
 
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