Planning a Cat regatta fr-sun- beach to beach (san pedro to catalina) I will have two power boats escorts for bags, gear and of course safety. Not sure the price yet. I would like to know who is interested. est dates Sept 26-28. Weather permitting. Two night stay. Thanks Allan AllanCPM1@Hotmail.com HAPPY SAILING!!!

There used to be a group of guys who sailed to Catalina all the time (Buzz, Gary, Alan etc). We sailed across with them several times. Does anyone still regularly sail to Catalina?

This sounds like a fun event but there is no way it fits in my schedule this year.

-Eric
Nor Cal
SC20

How is the weather winds and swells typically?

I don't know that there is a typical. One trip was literally glass flat seas on the way back, I could clearly see my reflection on the water. After couple hours of drifting and paddling we accepted the offer of a tow from a big mono. Typically the channel has nice rollers a couple feet tall, it makes for a nice sail. My last trip the wind came 180 degrees from normal, it caused the ocean to be like a washing machine with 2' pyramid shaped waves that would just push through the trap and steal all momentum, it sucked. That said... I've really enjoyed each of my trips to two harbors even the ones with no wind or pyramid shaped waves! :)

I'm sure there are others on here that know a lot more about this crossing than I do. But don't underestimate it. You should pack food and water as though you might spend the night out there, we nearly did. Flares, GPS, VHF etc are required equipment in my opinion.



Edited by efinley on Aug 24, 2014 - 10:22 PM.

WE would NEVER be stuck because I will have two chase power boats watching over the regatta- period. I have been sailing for 30 yrs and I have not done this kind of ocean trip (yet) IT'S TIME!! We will plan it right with the proper wind and ocean conditions (at least predicted) and to have all the necessary communication and navigation equipment I urge those that have done the voyage over to join. That being said, I need a head count of cats- please call me if you are interested in sailing. 818-599-1030

I don't want to rain on your parade, in fact I think this sounds awesome. But I really think you should stress personal safety. Each time I've done this sail (3-4 times) I've gone with a group of my buddies and each time at least some of them have been completely out of site even though we said we wanted to stay together. Some times it was due to fog/haze, sometimes it was because I was so damn fast I sailed away from them (OK maybe they sailed away from me... ). If this was a race I can't see how 2 chase boats can keep an eye on all of them.

Obviously it's your call but I would highly stress being prepared with at least VHF, GPS and flares. That way they could call the chase boat and ask for a ride. Or if it comes to it call the coasties and ask for a rescue.

Also have you thought about housing? If you wait until the peak season is over you can rent some of the employee housing for really cheap. It isn't luxurious but the price is right. We affectionately referred to it as our lawnmower shed! But it has been a couple years since we did this, things might have changed.

-Eric

Depends on your boat of course, but those Hobie 18 sails were $2,503 ($1,890 main and $613 jib) for the Dye Injection material which is about a $200 premium over the standard grey Pentax. This is the high quality 3 mil mylar outer layer material.

The EP sails are made to very high standards like "factory" sails that are expected to last a while. They include great big windows, tell tales, and a nice sail bag for each sail.

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