Long Beach to Avalon.
Posted by Ejeocho@reddit | sailing | View on Reddit | 11 comments
Heading to Catalina May 14–17 from long Beach
Taking my boat over from Long Beach that weekend, first time actually heading out past the breakwater so I’m equal parts excited and trying not to make it a learning experience the hard way.
Plan is Avalon, nothing crazy… just hang out, eat, have some drinks, keep it simple. I’ve been reading a bit but figured I’d ask people who’ve actually done it. Not sure what time I should leave to avoid getting beat up by the water, and if I should just reserve a mooring ahead of time or wing it. Also curious how busy it usually gets around then.
Bringing a small dinghy too and not totally sure if people just leave those in the water overnight or pull them back up.
If anyone else is heading out that weekend or has any “you’ll thank me later” advice, I’m all ears.
Appreciate it 🍻
fluoruranus@reddit
Distance from Long Beach to Avalon is about 25 miles. At 5 kt, that's 5 hours. Leave around 9 am and you'll get there around 2. Wind tends to flatten mid channel, but picks up/shift closer to the island.
Cargo ships take about 5 miles to come to a stop. They have right of way in the shipping lanes (well, all over, really). Those tally marks near the bow keep count of how many little boats thought they could get out of the way in time 😜.
BoatUS is a great idea. Plus, you can prep for your boater's card for free ($10 from the foundation). Note that if you get randomly boarded by CG (which I did), they don't ask for this.
Once you get to Avalon harbor mouth, hover right in the entrance and the red Harbor Patrol boats come up to you. You have to know your hull ID. Pay with credit card. Rates are here: https://www.cityofavalon.gov/1474/Mooring-Fees. If you tell them it's your first time, they'll help you get on the mooring. Mooring map: https://www.cityofavalon.gov/DocumentCenter/View/175/Mooring-Information-and-Mooring-Map-PDF
You'll either moor on port or starboard (and bow out), so look ahead to see what the other boats are on. HP will meet you at the ball. Move your bow slowly towards the ball so that the wand comes to rail on the correct side, grab it, bring it aboard, and start bringing up the yellow line till you get to the loop. Put the loop on the bow cleat (outside of the lifelines). Grab the smaller line (sand line) attached to the loop. Pull this line up, hand over hand, while walking astern (bring aboard if you don't mind a mess). The sand line is attached to another loop, which you will put over the stern cleat.
If you've drifted over and are having a hard time getting to that stern loop, hopefully HP will pull your stern into place. Both loops have to be on the same side: one on the bow, one on the stern.
You can leave the dinghy in the water. Tie it off amidships at night.
Leather or rubber palm gardening gloves. Avalon's lines are fairly clean; other harbors (Cat) get pretty barnacly.
sleder@reddit
Always reserve a mooring for Avalon. Leave the dingy in the water. Be sure the valve for your head is set to holding tank, not discharge
nickelchrome@reddit
You can’t reserve a mooring at Avalon as the general public unless you own a mooring there or know someone with a mooring.
futurebigconcept@reddit
Here's a diagram of the typical Catalina mooring. Of course the important part is to get your bow hawser connected ASAP when approaching the ball/wand. After that you have plenty of time to get the aft life settled.
Ejeocho@reddit (OP)
This is a great diagram it will be great help. Thanks
Ejeocho@reddit (OP)
Thank you. I appreciate the imput
nickelchrome@reddit
You can’t reserve at Avalon but before Memorial Day you should be fine if you get there on a Thursday, get there early if you can. Don’t hail them on the radio, just pull up ready to go outside the harbor and they will come to you. If they don’t have moorings they should have some at Descanso next door. Tell them it’s your first time and they will help you.
Friday can be busy in the afternoon and if there’s any sort of event that weekend then it can get tricky but again this time of year is still manageable. Watch some videos on how the mooring lines work and bring some gloves for whoever is handling them.
Get the BoatUS towing coverage, getting towed back from Catalina for whatever reason costs a fortune in comparison.
Keep an eye on the forecast and don’t go if it’s dicey, if it looks fine then you’re good. It’s an easy ride most of the time.
Use MarineTraffic and AIS to keep an eye on the ships, they’re faster than you think, never try to cross in front of them even if they look far away. They come up fast. Most of the time you’ll be fine though.
LiveinCA@reddit
Reserve a mooring, call and ask what type they have, I forget. Watch Utube vids on how to pick up the connection point , can be tricky unless you’re shown.
Pay attention to the shipping lanes and give the big ships plenty of room and yourself plenty of time to steer clear, they look like they don’t move fast but they do.
Call and find out if they have the shore taxis running, use those instead of bringing a dinghy. Its fun and stress relieving.
Go out for 1 or 2 longer sails now, like minimum 1 hr outside the breakwater, this is a big undertaking to sail there as a first sailing trip. Long Beach is the shortest reach to Avalon, that’s in your favor. Make sure your engine is working - not usual but a couple trips it was motoring back the whole way.
Ejeocho@reddit (OP)
Thank you. I think they only do first come first serve now. From their website.
Morgan_Pen@reddit
Call ahead and make sure there are several free, if it looks like it’ll be full up by the time you arrive, you’ll need a plan b.
Ejeocho@reddit (OP)
Awesome thank you.