Return to Marina Del Rey

Saturday: We dropped our mooring, picked up a few gallons of gas, pumped the holding tank and were under way for MDR, 30 miles away bearing 348 magnetic. We had good wind on the beam and made the harbor in a litle over 4 hours, just after dark. Finding the harbor light against the lights of the city is a challenging and rewarding experience.

We pulled the boat, got a pizza and dropped into our berths, getting up early Sunday to drive to Phoenix. We were parked in Gilbert by 3:30pm, less than 24 hours after departing Two Harbors on Catalina Island. It was a good trip. Trailer sailing in a large, capable, swift boat opens up great possibilities for exciting destinations while keeping your boat at home and saving thousands of dollars in marina costs.


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Last day at Two Harbors

It's Saturday, good band at the bar doing covers and some original music. Contest with the Santa Monica Windjammers this afternoon. We' ll depart after that and cross to Marina Del Rey. Should have a broad reach and be in before midnight. We'll pull "Heat Wave" on Sunday morning and head back to Phoenix.

It's been a good trip, cool weather and good breezes but it will be good to get home.

Scott


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Two Harbors is filling up

Friday and Two Harbors is getting busy. We've seen one or two other AZ boats and more will be coming today for the BBQ tonight and beach party tomorrow. The campers, friends of George, are leaving as this is written, with the noon ferry to Long Beach.

We hiked to their camp last night where they had Smores going and a beautiful view of the anchorage and the sunset. Saw at couple of deer on the walk, working their way down slope, likely to graze on the ball diamond during the darkness.

We were all done at about 9:30pm and got a harbor tender back to "Heat Wave" where we collapsed into bunks. I picked up my Louis L'Amour
book while soon some even snoring lead from the V-berth.

There was a left-over slop from breeze that day but I could not keep my eyes open and drifted off. Got up once or twice to silence a slapping halyard, the swinging rudder or some other annoying noise.

It's very beautiful here, the nearly bare mountains leading down to a tiny village in a cluster of fan palms. Looks to me like the south Pacific but everyone just laughed at that suggestion.

More later,

Scott





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Lying Two Harbors

Had a nice calm motor from Avalon, picked up a ball right on the 'fairway', and near to the dinghy dock. Got the shade up and Joe Cocker on the stereo. Nice 10 knot breeze through the cockpit, looking for snacks and lunch.


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Thursday, leaving Avalon

It's 7:20am and the coffee is perking. This morning we will drop our mooring and head for Two Harbors. We're ferrying some campers up there with all their gear. They would like to sail but I think it may be too light and we'll probably have to motor. Should be a pretty cruise along the eastern shore of Catalina.


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Avalon dive park

Lunch time, Wednesday, we're watching divers near the Casino. So far we've covered about 200 miles in our 40 ft trailerable sloop, from Marina Del Rey to San Diego to Catalina Island where we've been moored at Avalon since Monday. Tomorrow we'll drop our ball and motor the 11 miles to Two Harbors and pick up a mooring there through Saturday.

The AYC and SMWYC plan a BBQ Friday night on the beach and a party there Saturday. Looking forward to seeing more friends from the AYC, playing some horeshoes and volley ball. Maybe this year the AYC can defeat the dastardly bunch from the SMWYC. we'll see.

Scott


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Tuesday in Avalon

"Heat Wave" with the Casino in the background. We're headed to shore for showers and laundry. It's a beautiful day, sunny and breezy, we're ashore for the day. There's a Carnival cruise ship in port, tourists everywhere.

Scott


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Heading for Avalon

We weighed anchor at 7am, its almost 9am now and we've put more than ten miles behind us with 55 to go. Cloudy and cool with dolphins here and there. We'd like to be in Avalon before dark but there's less than 5 knots of wind so its been steady motoring, with a lot more to follow.


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Heading for Mission Bay

Just off Pt Loma College, Blew up a padeye on the way out the channel and had to return to Shelter Islamd for repair. No big deal, fixed it at the fuel dock and headed back out. Should be at MB in a couple of hours.

Scott



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Tired, messed-up and here

It was a very fast race. We blew around the back side of Catalina at a steady 10 knots and our speed record fell. Sorry Bob, it's now 14 knots. Wind held steady most of the night, dying in early morning hours.

We've all been catching up on sleep. Now need to clean up the boat and get ready for the fireworks tonight. Tomorrow we head for Catalina...

Scott


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7:15 and we're rolling downwind

Coming around the back side of Catalina, the wind built to the high teens and we're doing steady 9 to 11 knots. About half way through the race, miles past Catalina and just flying. Fun.

Scott


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We're going outside of Catalina

Big Joe is driving, we have the genny up and chugging along at about 7 knots, on a direct route to Catalina's west end. It looks like the outside course will be favored with better wind during the wee hours tonight. So, we're going for it even though it is 12 miles farther. Wish us luck!

Right now it's about 19 miles to the west end and about 2 to the shipping channel. Three hours and we can turn and get the spinnaker up and head down the back side of the island.

More later.

Scott



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June Gloom, race day

Still waiting for North Sails to get us the right size numbers for the genny, arrrgggg! Everyone is ready to go, the boat is ready, let's hope North opens at 9am. More later.

Scott


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Dinner time at SMWYC

We're launched, trip to LA was uneventful, except that a CHPS officer herded us out of the fast lane in Irwindale. Remembr the "Irwindale Raiders"? That Al Davis, what a guy! We are in PHRF A and we are the scratch boat! Unbelievable! Well, we have a chance at line honors. We'll see. Still trying to decide whether to go outside of Catalina. More tomorrow.

Scott
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Getting ready for the trip to LA

"Heat Wave" lies peacefully on her trailer as the crew goes through their checklist. This time tomorrow, we will be getting close to the ramp at Marina Del Rey. Friday we race to San Diego then cruise to Catalina. We will be posting photos from the trip, stay tuned.

Scott


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