s o wrote:
I'd like to add that before I actually do the crossing to Catalina with
a 19 footer, I'll do these things first.

1. (this goes w/o saying)have all USCG safety eqmpt's, gps, compass,
vhf radio and boat tow membership
2. do plenty of trial runs along the coast and to the mid-channel with
another adult
3. for the first actual run, I won't take the kids, just me and my
wife. I'll probably follow along the Catalina Express in the early
morning. dont' know if I could keep up with its 35-knot speed, though.
4. I know it's a bad idea to come back during the late afternoon or
evening, so I guess we'd always come back the next morning. We'd also
avoid the Santa Ana winds season.

would I get any "nods of approval" then? any comments are welcomed.
thx

so

Even though, most in this thread are shaking their head "NO" you seem
seem to have your mind made up to do it anyhow?

Theres many experienced people posting on here, who have been caught in
bad storms, swells and various other trecherous waters, on bigger, and
more stable craft than what you are talking about, and seems like they
don't like the idea either.

If I were you, (and I know I'm not) i wouldn't do it.
But after this post, I'll stay out of it.

s o wrote:
hi,

I'm looking at a 1996 bayliner 1952 cuddy(19 ft) with a 3.0 135 hp
mercruiser I/O. asking $6000. is this a good deal. boat is fairly
well maintained.

I've read some posts on 3.0 vs. 4.3, I think I should be fine with a
3.0. I'll be mainly using it for close to shore cruising (and maybe
fishing) with the family and occasionally overnight at Catalina
Island(I live in SoCal.) My kids are 3 and 5, so no skiiing power
needed. I've talked to a couple of people at a boat ramp, they had 20
or 22 ft boats and gone to Catalina in them. I guess 19 ft should be
ok as well.

will this boat meet my needs? any comments are welcomed(but please no
religious war on Bayliner vs. other boats, etc). thanks.

s o