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Are my nuts too big? To Catalina Island in 13' boat? OLD THREAD
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Are my nuts too big? To Catalina Island in 13' boat? OLD THREAD
I have a 13' Avon inflatable boat with a Yamaha 25HP motor. Both have quite some years on them but are in good condition. I have used it several times just cruising out from from Huntington Beach or Newport Beach, CA. I go out maybe 20 miles north or south from the entrance to the harbors. I have toyed with the idea of going from Huntington Beach to Catalina Island. A few friends of mine say I am crazy to go out in such a small boat. I feel perfectly safe in the boat. Is it really dangerous to take such a boat to the island? On the boat I carry 2 GPS units, a compass, flare gun, VHF marine radio, cell phone, some food and water, life jackets, whistles, and an anchor. I have about a 50 mile fuel range. (I could carry an extra gas tank to increase the range to 100 miles.) I think it is about 25 miles to Cataline from the harbor. I have Vessel Assist in the event I have a mechanical problem and need to get towed back so I don't have to worry about an expensive tow bill. I am not sure if some of my friends say it is crazy just because they feel scared in a small boat of if it is for valid reasons. Wide open I can go 25-30mph. But it bangs you around too much unless you are in very calm conditions. I have not been out in rough sees. I've been out when it has been choppy and I have to keep speed at about 12mph so that I am not slamming the boat a lot. So I figure I can get to Cataline in about 2 hours in choppy seas or less if calm. I would plan to leave early like around 6am so I am there by 8am and leave by 10am so I am back by around noon. That way I avoid the afternoon when it is more likely to get rougher seas. Some things I wondered about were if the seas got rough, how much does that cut my range? Is having 2x the needed range enough of a margin to get there or back if seas got rough? (I plan to refuel in Catalina before coming back.) Should I take some spare fuel with me? If so, how much? If weather conditions are good, and forcast to be fine for the day, what are the chances that going out to Catalina I am going to get into bad conditions? Should I put a radar refelctor on the boat? I'm really trying to figure out what is crazy about going out in my boat with the safety gear that I carry. I would also have a float plan so that someone would know if I don't not show up in time. Ok, let me know if my cajones are enlarged or if my friends just have real small ones!
Re: Are my nuts too big? To Catalina Island in 13' boat?
Take the extra gas can and have fun, from Huntington it's 30+ miles one way [ check your GPS ]
People have done it on jet ski's allot . It would be nice to have a buddy boat or follow a boat over there.
I would for shoot Twin harbors and spend the night just to party at the Buffalo bar.
Oh yea don'y forget the fishing pole.
__________________ F350 4x4/ Dodge 2500HD 5.9L Cummins
Leaving the Picture of the Ford cuz I miss it
Pacific 2325 cc
Honda bf225
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Re: Are my nuts too big? To Catalina Island in 13' boat?
Relax guy's it's a differant kind of water in So. Cal. [ very deep 2000'+ in the channel ] it's usually very calm in the mornings and the swells are verrrrrrrry far apart.
If the boat and motor run good , have fun. It's done all the time and he can probally get a buddy boat to go with him.
__________________ F350 4x4/ Dodge 2500HD 5.9L Cummins
Leaving the Picture of the Ford cuz I miss it
Pacific 2325 cc
Honda bf225
aluminumalloyboats.com
Re: Are my nuts too big? To Catalina Island in 13' boat?
Leave the mainland in the morning....return the next morning. Assuming good weather report, not much wind. Sounds like you are well equipped to do it.
Great fun trip I have done maybe a hundred times in all sorts and sizes of boats. Great fishing off of both ends of the island and near Bird Rock. In the 60 some years I have fished at Catalina island I have never set foot ashore.
Re: Are my nuts too big? To Catalina Island in 13' boat?
Do it.....travel early in the AM....at that speed it's a 90 minute trip....inflatables are very stable and handle chop well but you get wet....weather is everything...you've already done the distance without issue...a radio, water, and extra fuel is a good idea...I did Bimini in a 19 footer, spent a week there....had a blast.....Mick
Re: Are my nuts too big? To Catalina Island in 13' boat?
Quote:
welder - 8/18/2007 6:47 PM
Relax guy's it's a differant kind of water in So. Cal. [ very deep 2000'+ in the channel ] it's usually very calm in the mornings and the swells are verrrrrrrry far apart.
If the boat and motor run good , have fun. It's done all the time and he can probally get a buddy boat to go with him.
Not saying he can't do it, I have seen a lot of boaters like him out there, I just would not do it myself. BTW I have seen it get nasty in places going out and coming home, but outside on the otherside is where you have to be careful. I would take a buddy boat with me if you can. Let us know if you do it.
RE: Are my nuts too big? To Catalina Island in 13' boat?
We've all heard about people having guts or balls. But do you really know
the difference between them? In an effort to keep you informed, the
definition for each is listed below...
GUTS - is arriving home late after a night out with the guys, being met by
your wife with a broom, and having the guts to ask: "Are you still
cleaning, or are you flying somewhere?"
BALLS - is coming home late after a night out with the guys, smelling of
perfume and beer, lipstick on your collar, slapping your wife on the butt
and having the balls to say: "You're next."
This should clear up any confusion on the definitions. Medically speaking,
there is no difference in the outcome since both ultimately result in
death.
Re: Are my nuts too big? To Catalina Island in 13' boat?
Catalina is on the horizon , look at the water. This pic is just out side New Port Beach.
Now that water can kill you in a heart beat CHECK THE WEATHER and file a float plan.
__________________ F350 4x4/ Dodge 2500HD 5.9L Cummins
Leaving the Picture of the Ford cuz I miss it
Pacific 2325 cc
Honda bf225
aluminumalloyboats.com
Re: Are my nuts too big? To Catalina Island in 13' boat?
I would agree with the welder. I have done Cat and further in my 14' aluminum. Carry as much fuel as possible, plan on traversing the channel in the mornings, watch the weather,watch the weather and watch the weather. Don't push your luck - if the weather looks questionable stay there - the Marlin Club is open till 2...
RE: Are my nuts too big? To Catalina Island in 13' boat?
I've noticed that so far the ones here that say I am nuts have nothing to support their posts! If it is nuts, it would be nice to know why. Just saying I am crazy doesn't give me much to go on. Give me some reason for your post or I will assume your cajones have simply shriveled up from excessive exposure to cold sea water.
I am the first to admit I am not an experienced boater. I have not been in real bad conditions. Yet, I have lived in Southern California for over 30 years and can't recall ever seeing real bad conditions out here. You can fill an inflatable with water and it is not going to hurt it. Just pull the drain plug and let the water out. They are pretty darn hard to overturn too. So I am still puzzled why people say it is crazy. Just what is crazy about it??? Some people here are acting like I was planning a trip out from Point Conception to San Miguel Island. I think that would be a real E ticket ride but that for sure would be a bit crazy in my boat. Plus the water is too darn cold out there if you ended up overboard for a long time.
BTW, would it be easy to find someone that was going to Catalina for me to buddy along with my boat the first time out? At what speed do the larger boats typicaly go at?
Location: Los Angeles, FL.or Georgia, depends. In Fl now.
Posts: 5,979
RE: Are my nuts too big? To Catalina Island in 13' boat?
Keep that inflatable close to home. It has no business being out there in AM going through fog bank where bigger boats are motoring through. Ya can't see anything and neither can they. Your boat does not show on radar. You might need a big radar reflector. Santa Ana's offer very little warning.
I used to be a veteran of crossing to Catalina on Boston Whalers from 13 to 17'.. Most of the time you'd get lost in fog doughnut that surrounds Catalina. I got smart after getting lost once and decided to follow ferry all the way in. You need to run 30 mph min to follow ferry. If ya can't follow ferry to Catalina and back like all other small boats, stay home.
Re: Are my nuts too big? To Catalina Island in 13' boat?
Big deal... you can see it, right? Then do it. Most on here wouldn't leave the confines of the marina without quad engines, an escort boat, four radios, 3 GPS's and someone else to lead the way. We ran from Newport to Block island in 13' whalers as kids....would do it again. Just let someone know when your going...call when ou get there...and when you'll be back. Have a radio with ya and go have fun!
Are my nuts too big? To Catalina Island in 13' boat? OLD THREAD 
I think that would be a real E ticket ride but that for sure would be a bit crazy in my boat. Plus the water is too darn cold out there if you ended up overboard for a long time.
