I recently bought a NACRA 5.2 that my dad and I have now sailed three times. So far we've stuck to the sail bay area of Mission Bay. My first catamaran and we are having a blast. Next time we plan to take the boat out, I'll update this thread.
Chula Vista ramp is best place to sail South Bay. It's a tight beat to channel opening, but you can do it. If the dinghy dock has any room (need 20'), see if you can befriend someone at California Y.C., then go into office & pay $1/ft (but say 16') for dinghy tie up there. $16/mo is a steal & it's a close reach out to channel. Pete
$16 a month is a steal!
I'm lucky that I have plenty of room at my house so storage isn't an issue for me but I'd save more money than that in gas simply from not needing the truck and trailer every time. Beyond that, the amount of setup and disassemble time saved would be huge. Thanks for the tip. I'll also pass it along to my brother who lives close to that ramp but doesn't have the spare at his house for a boat. You mentioned making a friend at the Y.C. Is that because they require anyone who pays monthly for a dock to be a member or sponsored by one?
This will be my second time using the Chula Vista ramp. I love how the wind blows off of the ramp and you don't need to sail or paddle to the dock like you do at the Mission Bay ramp I was using.
Years ago, I spotted empty spaces at the dinghy dock. Had a friend who kept his 30+ monoslug at Y.C. We went to office & they said dinghy dock was $1/ft--up to 16' dinghy. So I signed up & kept a H-16 there. Requires good boat handling amoung the slips & a paddle helps. Later I bottom painted below waterline & occasionally just reached down & wiped bottom. South Bay has good wind accelerating off the Cays. Pete
Thanks again for the info. I keep a paddle on the boat just in case but had no issues getting out into the bay last time. In fact, I found it easier than Mission Bay. If it turns out to be a good day sailing Sunday, I'll post the GoPro video. Maybe I'll even see the OP there!
how was the sail David? I will be in Europe July but am lookiung forward to go out in August again. I also finally picked up some hiking gear for the colder season on a trip to Santa Barbara where I was able to stop at Murrays. Excellent customer service and the prices are really reasonable for top quality gear. I can only recommend that place to anyone looking for cat gear in SoCal or if S&H is not too crazy for your stuff consider mail ordering.
BTW, does anyone know of reasonable mast up storage in San Diego, Mission or South Bay? It sure would be great to have the boat in the water over Summer but I am not sure whether I like the prospect of having growth on my hulls or having to apply anti-fouling paint...
I'll be launching from the Chula Vista ramp this Sunday in my new (to me) Prindle 19MX.
I've been wanting something bigger ever since I discovered that I couldn't enter the Tri-point and similar races in my Nacra 5.2. Looking forward to seeing how the bigger boat and square top main compare to the old Nacra.
Tempted but I was planning on getting the boat/trailer titled and registered in my name on Sat. One of those 'nice to have' things before racing.
The standing rigging *looks* good but I'd rather the initial test be within paddle distance of shore when it goes stressed for the first time. My experienced crew has a bad shoulder so I'm going to be sailing with my friend who is new to sailing. For next year, what equipment is required or suggested to sail in the Tri-Point and similar races?
For those staying in San Diego this weekend, I plan on getting to the ramp around 10:45ish.
I just sent you a msg Grog, if you'd like to crew on my Prindle 19 or 16 or need crew on your boat(s) let me know. I usually sail out of Oceanside or Mission Bay. South Bay is also good for winds. I am crewing at Tri Point this weekend and am looking to get out as much as possible this year. That way maybe I can skipper a boat at a race next year - same as you.