Catalina March 24-30
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Harrison
- First Officer
- Posts: 307
- Joined: Tue Jan 04, 2005 12:57 pm
- Location: Frederick, CO. '05 M, Merc 60 Bigfoot
Catalina March 24-30
We’re planning a Catalina/Avalon trip March 24-30 from Dana Point. We’re planning on leaving Colorado Friday (23rd) afternoon and arriving at DP sometime Saturday. I already checked with Dana point Marina, and they have plenty of guest slips available, but I’m concerned about Avalon IE: spring break. Any of you locals know if late March weather cooperates etc. Any advice regarding doing this during that time of year would be appreciated.
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John Jessie
- Just Enlisted
- Posts: 21
- Joined: Wed Mar 04, 2009 3:21 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 25
Re: Catalina March 24-30
Spring Break is the week of Monday, April 9th through the Friday 13th. The weather should be great. Mid seventies with sunshine is the norm with some early morning fog. Should be a great trip. Have fun and be safe. 
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mastreb
- Admiral
- Posts: 3927
- Joined: Wed Feb 09, 2011 9:00 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Cardiff by the Sea, CA ETEC-60 "Luna Sea"
- Contact:
Re: Catalina March 24-30
Check the sea report! I left Dana for Avalon last April. Perfect weather, but I ran into 6' seas. I wound up turning around an hour out.Harrison wrote:We’re planning a Catalina/Avalon trip March 24-30 from Dana Point. We’re planning on leaving Colorado Friday (23rd) afternoon and arriving at DP sometime Saturday. I already checked with Dana point Marina, and they have plenty of guest slips available, but I’m concerned about Avalon IE: spring break. Any of you locals know if late March weather cooperates etc. Any advice regarding doing this during that time of year would be appreciated.
Matt
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aya16
- Admiral
- Posts: 1362
- Joined: Fri Feb 18, 2005 6:29 am
- Location: LONG BEACH CALIF Mac M 04 WHITE
Re: Catalina March 24-30
Long sail from Colorado.....I wouldn't worry to much about spring break, not to many youngsters have boats, If they come it will be on the Catalina flyer my guess. One way to tell if That weekend will be large crowds is to call the hotels in Catalina and see if they are all booked up. Why Avalon? Most of the people that have boats (macs) will go to two harbors, there you can make a reservation for a mooring ahead of time.
Avalon's appeal is the shopping, many restaurants, and lots of people. Two harbors offers one restaurant, one small eatery for morning and afternoon, one bar inside the restaurant, one bar outside the eatery, one small store. Not a lot of people, at least not like Avalon.
What some do is Moore the boat at two harbors, take the flyer (boat) over to Avalon for the day, then come back to two harbors on same boat.
Its always hit and miss as far as weather going across, march is right at the end of our rainy season, But your leaving near the end of march, so you should be OK, sea conditions are just as un predictable, I have never turned back, but have had some nasty crossing's too, as well as easy kick back crossings. Santa Ana winds should not be a problem, as those happen in fall/ winter. Leaving early morning, no later than 7am will for the most part get you across in the calmest weather for that day. In other words, if its nasty at 7am, it will only get worse later that day. Crossing the channel in the afternoon should be reserved for those that are used to snotty seas in the mac, its safe in the mac, but can get uncomfortable.
What size engine, on your mac? (ohh never mind I see) Carry 2 twelve gallons of fuel, you will have plenty, gas available at Avalon as well as two harbors. Small dinghy a must, unless you plan to use shore boat (5 dollars each way per person) How many people going on your boat?
Any way you need to know anything else, just ask....
Mike
Avalon's appeal is the shopping, many restaurants, and lots of people. Two harbors offers one restaurant, one small eatery for morning and afternoon, one bar inside the restaurant, one bar outside the eatery, one small store. Not a lot of people, at least not like Avalon.
What some do is Moore the boat at two harbors, take the flyer (boat) over to Avalon for the day, then come back to two harbors on same boat.
Its always hit and miss as far as weather going across, march is right at the end of our rainy season, But your leaving near the end of march, so you should be OK, sea conditions are just as un predictable, I have never turned back, but have had some nasty crossing's too, as well as easy kick back crossings. Santa Ana winds should not be a problem, as those happen in fall/ winter. Leaving early morning, no later than 7am will for the most part get you across in the calmest weather for that day. In other words, if its nasty at 7am, it will only get worse later that day. Crossing the channel in the afternoon should be reserved for those that are used to snotty seas in the mac, its safe in the mac, but can get uncomfortable.
What size engine, on your mac? (ohh never mind I see) Carry 2 twelve gallons of fuel, you will have plenty, gas available at Avalon as well as two harbors. Small dinghy a must, unless you plan to use shore boat (5 dollars each way per person) How many people going on your boat?
Any way you need to know anything else, just ask....
Mike