Bryan,

On this particular Labor Day I did not get up to the Isthmus. I actually
anchored just inside Long Point--on a single anchor. I arrived earlier that
week and left at 7:00 am on Sunday. Upon leaving I motored around the
adjacent coves (Whites, Moonstone, etc.) and the conditions were as I
described: packed like sardines! Yes, it was a zoo once the weekend arrived.
Long Point was not a good place to be anchored because of all of the fast
power boat traffic kicking up a swell. I had out a flopper stopper which
helped, but it was uncomfortable.

I agree about trying to avoid the crowds. I make relatively few trips over
there in the summer but many in the off season. The best time (in my
opinion) is spring (March through May). Fall is good also if you dodge the
Santa Anas.

Cat Harbor has the best anchorage in my opinion, strictly from an anchoring
standpoint. It has excellent holding ground and calm water. Plus there's
lots of space. I don't think Cat Harbor is the prettiest cove, though. One
downside to Cat Harbor is that it's a longer trip around West End. But that
extra bit of isolation does tend to make it less populated. Even on weekends
when every mooring is filled at both the Isthmus and Avalon you can often
get one at Cat Harbor, which tends to fill up last. And you can pretty much
figure that there will be sufficient room to anchor no matter what.

Another nice cove on the back side is Little Harbor, just about 3 or 4 miles
from Cat Harbor. You tuck yourself in behind a reef, which helps cut down on
the surge. There is not a lot of room for too many boats but in the off
season it's no problem. Also, the way the terrain is you've got a solid cell
phone signal there, if that matters to you.

Rippers is nice but doesn't have that much room. Plus, in my own case I
typically need to remain in cell phone contact and so that limits me. At
least with my service (Cingular) I could not maintain cell contact from
Rippers. Emerald Bay is beautiful but pretty limited as far as anchoring
goes. Cell coverage is marginal but works well enough. I was there this last
June with some friends. We competed in the ARRL ham radio Field Day as a
maritime mobile from there. Lots of fun.

Where is your boat located? I'm out of San Pedro (Holiday Harbor, Berth 34)

Regards,
Alan Gomes (1987 Catalina 30 "Sola Scriptura")


"Bryan" wrote in message
. net...

"Bryan" wrote in message
om...
I'm skeptical that we can do any better than a guess, but I'm wondering
if anyone knows, really knows, why we anchor bow and stern at Catalina
Island (California).

Is it because of wind or swell direction? Or is it because of trying to
squeeze in as many boats as possible in the overcrowded anchorages?

There is an onshore wind to offshore wind shift each day. It is also a
high population density zone in the summer.

Just asking for fun.

Bryan

"Alan Gomes" wrote in message
... Bryan,
I anchor at various coves in Catalina all the time.

At Cat Harbor it is most common to anchor on only one hook on fairly
short scope. Some boats will use two hooks (bow and stern), though it
generally is a minority in this cove. Cat Harbor has quite a bit of open
anchorage area, so there is a bit more swinging room here.

I was over at Whites during the Labor Day weekend and there were rows
upon rows of boats at anchor (just outside of the moorings), parallel to
one another and close together, anchored bow and stern. Clearly the
purpose for two anchors was to prevent swinging.

--Alan Gomes



Alan,
Did you get over to the isthmus during Labor Day weekend? If so, did you
notice if Cat Harbor was crowded, or not? I always avoid big weekends
because of anchoring; I don't have enough ground tackle to feel safe
anchoring in those depths outside the moorings. I do like beaches and
islands when they are crowded as much as I enjoy them when they are
isolated (I guess I just like being at a party). Maybe Cat Harbor is an
option for me on the big weekends. I've only had to anchor once in lieu
of a mooring, but that was close in at Emerald Cove; otherwise all my
bow/stern anchoring has been at Rippers for day trips.
Bryan