Looking for advise on my first offshore trip! I have boated for 30 yrs but have never done an offshore trip. My plan is to do a 3 day 2 night trip launching somewhere south of LA and to run some coast line then over to Catilina for a night or 2. I have no idea of where I should launch, where to go or eat or stay? I am concerned about making sure I can wash out the trailer and boat after launch and recovery as well as secure parking for my truck and trailer while I'm on the water. I'm sure lots of you on the forum have done this trip numerous times so I would appriciate your sujjestion for an Itinerary.
My plan is to do the trip the 22nd or 23rd of June.

Thanks in advance!
Don

We're making this run from San Diego Aug 1. I know you can't wash down anywhere in San Diego.

I was researching Catalina and the rules state you can not leave your boat "unattended" at a mooring. If you do leave the boat the Harbor Master has to be able to contact a responsible person even if by cell phone. Does this mean if my wife and I want to go to shore we must give the HM our cell number or am I misunderstanding the rule? What is your experience?

I normally launch from South Shore ramp in Long Beach, right by the Queen Mary. Good ramp and wash rack. Just a short idle to where you can open it up. It's also right across from Rainbow Harbor, you may want to go there for lunch or Ice cream.

Never had a problem leaving the truck and trailer sometimes for 10 days. I think it's $12 per 24 hour day.

In Avalon it's first come, first serve for a mooring. During the week should be no problem to get a spot, weekends can be tough, at least to get a spot in the more protected inner harbor.

As far as "unattented" if your not staying on the boat, you need to check in with the Harbor Master, on the end of the green pier, by 9am each day.

Giving them your cell# is a good idea anyway, in case your boat is sinking while "your getting your grove on" at Luau Larry's...just kidding...but you get the point.

All the restaurants in Avalon are good and many good places to stay. Contact the Avalon Chamber of Commerce, they'll send you a great Island Guide. Be sure to stop by their office on the green pier when your there and give them a couple of bucks to cover the postage.

Plan to boat down to Two Harbors for lunch and check out the coves along the way. Do bring a snorkle, mask and fins. A good anchor and a couple hundred feet of line is a good idea.

To make the crossing, your cell phone won't work off shore so a VHF radio is also a good idea for saftey along with all the other usual saftey stuff.

The VHF is also good in Avalon to contact the Harbor Patrol and a shore boat.

Have fun, and if you can, take more then two days, it's worth it.

Thanks blefever,
some good info. We'll be overnighting on the boat, just want to check out the fun things to do on the island.

New is a Zip Line and a underwater Sea Trek. Lots of tours to take, but one of the best deals is to rent a golf cart and take the senic loop trip. Be sure to have your camera. Great views of the harbor and I'm sure you'll go "Look Honey...theres our boat"

If time, do try to do the Casino Tour, especally if you like Art Deco and History. The Movie Theater in the Casino is cool too. It's part of the tour, or go see a movie.


Have fun. You will.

Yeah, I'm definately planning on renting a golf cart if we make it to the coast. We're having a hard time finding a slip in San Diego. Marina Village just told me they probably won't have a slip for us.

I heard Dolla has a bumpersticker on his Geo Metro that says...

Save the whales , Eat a fat chick

There is so much fun stuff to do at the island.

As far as where to launch, I have found the safest place to leave you rig and the cheapest is in Hunting Harbor. The parking lot is gated with a guard 24/7 and you are in a neighbor hood vs. the slums of Long Beach. In addition, the it is pretty close to the same distance to Catalina from Long Beach. The further South you launch, the longer the channel crossing.

As far as a mooring at Catalina, GOOD LUCK (on the weekends) It helps to be their EARLY and check in with the Harbor Master and if he says you are full, as to be placed on the waiting list and make sure that if you get a mooring, ask the Harbor Master for some tips on how to tie it up. Each cove at Catalina has a different current so the approach makes a huge difference (on larger boats)

If you cannot get a mooring, bring an anchor and LOTS of line and CHAIN is mandatory.

There are many 2 main areas to drop anchor. The first place is off Descanso Beach and north thereof. It is a convenient because the shore boat will pick you up in that area, however, there is a shelf there and the water drops well over 300+ feet with a rocky bottom. Anchors are commonly left behind...

The 2nd place is south of Avalon Harbor. You will see some boats moored/anchored on the south side. It is nice because the water is about 60 feet deep with a sandy bottom. The down side is that NO shore boat will pick you up so make sure you bring some sorta of dingy/skiff/kayak... to get you to shore which is a LONG ROW.

Last note on dropping anchor, in the evening the winds shift so make sure you have PLENTY of scope on your anchor line and PLENTY of room around you. ALL the boats will shift 180 degrees with the winds. If you do not, your anchor (or your neighbors) will slide causing "Bumper Boats" and if you/they are not on board, Good luck!

In conclusion, Catalina is AWESOME! I go over every couple of weeks. All you have to do is set a good anchor and relax!

I will be out there July 3-5 if anyone else is.

(Sorry for poor grammar, on my iPhone)

Call "Newport Dunes" in Newport Beach. They have plenty of Day/weekly slips available with a nice club house, shower, dining, boat wash, launch ramp...