Southern California Catalina RIB run? - Page 2

SoCal Hurricane · 06 January 2021, 06:14

Would surely be open to meeting up and scheduling trips. Need to keep safe and be mindful of the Covid crisis, but being on the water is always fun.

Jamesd20 · 06 January 2021, 14:58

I could be in for this coming from Washington State! I have never been to Catalina so this could be worth the trip.

vancouvertechie · 25 January 2021, 19:34

James,

I would be up for some local cruising as well as we are close by. I am only a hour drive to Seattle.

Also, if Catalina happens we can maybe carpool down.

VT

Jamesd20 · 26 January 2021, 19:15

VT,

I am in- Planning on starting some projects on the boat in the next couple of weeks so maybe closer to spring time we could do a rip in the sound or even the San Juans?

also hoping this Catalina trip happens.

OCCOMBILL · 26 January 2021, 20:58

Sounds awesome, though my 3m SIB may not be able to keep up with your yachts! She's good for 16-18mph in reasonably flat water with a 6hp, but I picked up a 15hp the other day, and haven't yet been able to test it. In rougher water though, I'm sure I'll still be limited to non-planing speeds of 6-8mph, regardless of how she's powered.

ncp · 27 January 2021, 10:10

If you guys really make the trip down, gotta hit the northern channel islands too.

SDGANDER · 01 February 2021, 19:49

I’m very close by. Made many Catalina trips.

It’s not all it’s cracked up to be though.

Happy to crew if anyone needs help.

SoCal Hurricane · 05 February 2021, 05:00

Two harbors is awesome!! Avalon is just okay.

Lots of awesome fishing, diving, drinking, and great beaches to land on.

Just my two cents....

Seng778 · 12 July 2021, 18:23

Took my Avon supersport s345 to Catalina for the first time a couple days ago. Thought I’d share my experience with anyone who has ever thought about doing it. Took everyone’s advice and subscribed to the boatus tow service before heading out. Kept an eye on the weather and conditions. It was calling for 2 foot swells and 3 mph winds in morning increasing to 10 mph in the afternoon. My brother and his 2 kids decided to go along. We launched out of Long Beach around 5:30 in the morning. We cruised at about 25-28 mph, stopping a few times to check out the sunfish, flying fish and dolphins along the way. Everything was going smoothly and we made it to about 3 miles from the island in about 50 minutes when the engine bogged down all of a sudden. It started spitting and sputtering and wouldn’t go over 3 mph. Thought I was going to have to use the boat tow service that I had just signed up for the previous night but I decided to limp it into Avalon harbor to check it out first. Luckily it was something easy. Turned out a ground wire for one of the ignition coils broke off. Fixed the wire and we were back in business. We went out and did some fishing. I was planning on heading back by 12 at the latest but the kids were having too much fun fishing. Ended up leaving at close to 2 pm and man we paid for it. It was a rough ride coming back taking us 2 hrs. All in all, it was a fun trip. I learned a lot and would definitely do it again. The only advice I can give is to be prepared and stick to your plans. It took about 6-7 gallons of fuel getting there with my 50 hp outboard. I have a 15 gal fuel tank and took another 4 gal canister just in case.

ncp · 13 July 2021, 17:38

Sounds like a great 1st trip

Heading over on my hard boat from Dana Point on thursday!

Seng778 · 14 July 2021, 13:21

Thanks, I’ve been thinking about doing the crossing for the longest time but wasn’t sure if my little boat could make it. It’s a great time to be out on water. Have fun!!!

OCCOMBILL · 14 July 2021, 22:37

Thanks for the float report! Looking forward to taking that ride myself!

Seng778 · 16 July 2021, 20:36

No problem. It was definitely a fun trip and probably would’ve been less stressful if I didn’t go out alone but it’s kinda hard to schedule with the weather and water conditions being so unpredictable