Cruising Calif Channel Islands - Questions
 

We are planning on cruising the Channel Islands in August - mainly Santa
Rosa, Santa Cruz and Anacapa, leaving from Channel Islands Harbor. Previous
discussions on this newsgroup recommended Santa Cruz: Forneys, Willows,
Coches Pietros, Pelican Bay, Potato Bay, and Smugglers. Any advise on the
following would be much appreciated:

What are the typical wind patterns in August? Are the prevailing winds from
the W, NW and do they shift?

Since the winds pickup in the afternoon, what is the best time to be
anchored for the night?

What is the recommended anchoring in the various coves/anchorages? I've
seen references to setting bow/stern anchors. What do people normally do?

What conditions would make anchoring on the south side of Santa Cruz a lee
shore?

Where on the north side of Santa Cruz are good spots anchoring for the
night? Suggestions: Lady's Harbor, Cueva Valdez or go around to Forneys?

When anchoring at Santa Rosa, Bechers Bay, it seems like NW Anchorage is
more protected in the summer? Or should we head around to Johnson's Lee for
the night?

Any good overnight anchorages on Anacapa? Or should this be just a day
anchorage and return to Channel Islands Hrbr or Smugglers?

How crowded will these areas be mid-week, in August?

Recommended itinerary for 3, 5 and 7 day trips? Also thinking about a side
trip to Santa Barbara (city).

Aside from Brian Fagan's book, any other good resources for this trip?

Thank you,
Don

I've lived in Ventura since last August and sail out to the islands
every month. So I can take a shot at your questions but there are
plenty of older salts around.


*Pelican and FRY'S are both great anchorages but small. . . . 3-4
boats. Be sure you can anchor bow and stern.
*Smugglers is huge and pretty nice but the beach has massive breakers.
I've gone ass over tea-kettle in my tender before.
*I like Little Scorpian. The snorkling is incredible and it's close to
the trail heads. In the middle of the week you shouldn't have too
much trouble. As I said, Pelican's and Fry's are small. Forney's is
big.

I must take STRONG issue with Potato being recommended. For a day of
snorkling and grilling on the boat hell yes-- it's a tiny inlet with
dramatic cliffs. But there is no way you'd want to stay there
overnight. . . it faces NW so you get the prevelant swell all night.
It is a refuge when the Santa Ana's (easterly) hit. Of course, Santa
Ana's aren't really known for hitting in the summer.

There aren't really any good overnight anchorages on Anacapa. In fact,
it may be quite restricted due to the seal and sea lion rookeriers. The
south side has one but you'd be better off going the 4-5 miles to
Smugglers or Yellow Banks.

You are looking at W and NW wind, more or less. "Windy Lane"-- which
is basicly from the north shore of the islands out to the shipping
lanes can really really be windy in the summer. Routinly 25+ knots. .
..easily more. I love it-- now that I've learned to throw a reef in
before I get there.

Which way are you coming from? Point conception can be quite nasty and
you need to give it considerable respect.

I haven't been to Santa Rosa yet, nor San Miguel so I can't speak on
those. One old salt told me that going to Becher's is better than
Forneys.

hope this stuff helps

b

We've been sailing out of Channel Islands Harbor and are familiar with the
20+ knots of wind as you approach the islands or as you pass by canyons on
the mainland. Great sailing once you get past Gina! From the wind
direction W NW, we probably will stop the first day at Scorpion or
Smugglers. Thinking around the south side of Santa Cruz and on to Santa
Barbara for a nice dinner!

As far as the bow/stern anchor - is this only for the smaller coves or in
general everyone places bow/stern?
Thank you,
Don


"Whistledown" wrote in message
ups.com...
I've lived in Ventura since last August and sail out to the islands
every month. So I can take a shot at your questions but there are
plenty of older salts around.


*Pelican and FRY'S are both great anchorages but small. . . . 3-4
boats. Be sure you can anchor bow and stern.
*Smugglers is huge and pretty nice but the beach has massive breakers.
I've gone ass over tea-kettle in my tender before.
*I like Little Scorpian. The snorkling is incredible and it's close to
the trail heads. In the middle of the week you shouldn't have too
much trouble. As I said, Pelican's and Fry's are small. Forney's is
big.

I must take STRONG issue with Potato being recommended. For a day of
snorkling and grilling on the boat hell yes-- it's a tiny inlet with
dramatic cliffs. But there is no way you'd want to stay there
overnight. . . it faces NW so you get the prevelant swell all night.
It is a refuge when the Santa Ana's (easterly) hit. Of course, Santa
Ana's aren't really known for hitting in the summer.

There aren't really any good overnight anchorages on Anacapa. In fact,
it may be quite restricted due to the seal and sea lion rookeriers. The
south side has one but you'd be better off going the 4-5 miles to
Smugglers or Yellow Banks.

You are looking at W and NW wind, more or less. "Windy Lane"-- which
is basicly from the north shore of the islands out to the shipping
lanes can really really be windy in the summer. Routinly 25+ knots. .
.easily more. I love it-- now that I've learned to throw a reef in
before I get there.

Which way are you coming from? Point conception can be quite nasty and
you need to give it considerable respect.

I haven't been to Santa Rosa yet, nor San Miguel so I can't speak on
those. One old salt told me that going to Becher's is better than
Forneys.

hope this stuff helps

b

you will require a bow and stern at the smaller spots such as Fry's,
Pelican's, Lady's and Lil' Skorpian. I've never needed one at
Smugglers or Yellow banks or Forneys. . . .

South side around to SB. . . might look something like this. Sail the
first day to Lil' Scorpian or Smugglers/Yellow Banks. Second day to
Forney's or Bechers (you could tack near Anacapa and get a peek at the
rocks croweded with seals and birds). Third day to Brophy bros for the
clam chowder and tequila.

b

b

South side around to SB. . . might look something like this. Sail the
first day to Lil' Scorpian or Smugglers/Yellow Banks. Second day to
Forney's or Bechers (you could tack near Anacapa and get a peek at the
rocks croweded with seals and birds). Third day to Brophy bros for the
clam chowder and tequila.

Oh man, sounding like a great trip. Sign me up! The clam chowder's good
but you gotta try the ciopino.

Bechers Bay can be windy when it's cranking in Windy Lane.
I've anchored in the Northern part not far from the pier.
Heavy kelp patches, but the water's so clear it's easy to
avoid. Few, if any, other boats.

Coches Prietos on Southern Santa Cruz is my favorite. Good
shelter, easy anchoring, beautiful beach. And you can't see
the mainland, making it feel more remote. There are far fewer
boats on the Southern side than the side closer to the mainland.

Enjoy,

dudley
..