|
The Del Mar Marina and SMYC Catalina Cruise |
||||
|
Five boats sailed from the Del Mar Marina and one boat from Dana Point under the SMYC Burgee bound for BCYC in Newport Beach on Sunday, 14 September under the watchful eye of Skipper Pat Ayers. On approaching Dana Point almost all boats had broken sail in 15 to 18 knots of WNW wind and 3 to 4 foot seas. We were rafted off of "C" dock at BCYC by 1700 and after some arrival libation we headed for the dinning room and a great buffet dinner. Monday AM we sailed at 0800 for Two Harbors on Catalina Island. Again we broke sail about a couple of hours later in 10 to 12 knots of WNW winds building slowly to 15 knots and the seas building to 3 to 4 feet. A good sail but because we were beating hard to try to hit Bird Rock it was very wet. The fleet was spread out according to the favored tack, of which there wasn’t one, but we all arrived within an hour of each other. Isthmus was breezy so picking up a mooring was a bit touch and go but everyone did well with the exception of one boat and we will not go there. That evening the full moon came up over the ridge like a giant spot light and the man was smiling.Tuesday we relaxed, hit the beach for some showers, hiking, sightseeing and whatever. We all later met in the outside bar and then shifted in to the patio for some early dinner. Sue Ayers had joined us after a long bumpy ride over the hump from Avalon. Fish and Chips all around except for Peter who had an exotic salad consisting of what I do not know but it looked good and he was very protective of it. Wednesday we sailed for Avalon around 1100. Flat seas and no wind so most of us motored all the way with a couple of boats tried to get a little sailing in. Early afternoon we were all tied up and enjoying each others company aboard. Pat asked the Harbor Patrol to but us fairly close together, close but no cigar. Everyone hit the beach for some fun. Debbie, Paul and Peter aboard the chartered Catalina 320, License to Keel, invited everyone to come aboard for dinner. We all arrived about 1830, had wine and hors d’oeuvres, wine and hors d’oeuvres, and more wine and hors d’oeuvres. Debbie in the galley, Paul and Jim Hall on the barby, and Peter in the deck chair on the fo’csle taking care of the folks on the foredeck through the forward hatch. There was plenty of room and more food than a Marine Rifle Platoon could eat, pork loin, brat, chicken and more cooked veggies than any one could scarf down. Thursday was a day of relaxing and doing whatever. MaryAnn Walsh, Don’s wife, joined us today on the fast boat from Long Beach. Both she and Sue would head back later on today, MaryAnn to Long Beach and Sue to Dana Point. We met up at the Descanso Beach Club for Margaritas and lunch around 1430. Debbie said that for anyone who was hungry there was a lot of food left on the big boat. Friday around 0700 we sailed for the Del Mar Marina. Within 2 or three hours all boats were under sail. The wind starting out from the west at about 10 knots and slowly shifting to WNW to 15 knots and 2 to 3 foot seas. The big lesson of the day was Roger and Hallie Meyer aboard Blue Teal who left Avalon last and arrived home first. I watched his chute go up and wondered how he was doing it as Hallie does not sail, but obviously she knows what to do when he is all over the boat. Skipper Pat had the same reservations. I said it once on the air and I will say it again, "Good Job Blue Teal". Staff Commodores Marybeth and Bill Thayer |
||||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Mouse over faces for some
names. Corrections and additions are always welcome. |
|||
