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A Unit of United States Power Squadrons® - District 28 Sail and Power Boating Boating is fun..We'll show you how |
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Phoenix Sail and Power Squadron
A Unit of United States Power Squadrons® - District 28
Sail and Power Boating
Boating is fun..We'll show you how
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April 30 - May 4, 2008 Chula Vista, CA |
We want you to come along. Come alone, Come with a friend or come with the entire family or just the grand kids.
Kids like to have fun too.
Time is short but we wanted to remind all that we have a trip planned to San Diego April 30th/May 1st. Home May 4th in the evening.
San Diego is a beautiful place to see. Besides boating there is a lot to see on land.
Chula Vista Marina is always a great place to stay. Many know us (Our Boating Squadron)
Seeing all the Marine Life in the water is a must with a camera. Cruising is exciting place here. So much going on.
The driver of the boat will be busy doing his job as Captain. The observer has the job to observe. This is the best job of all to sit back and watch everything going on. We have a different world there from the Phoenix area. Our lakes are good but the oceans are a site to see. Bring a note pad as you will need to write down all you get to see.
We are never disappointed. This time the “RED BULL Races” are there.
Boat Slips are nice, camp grounds are very nice.
This is a visit one can get to know the Squadron and see what we are all about. We make time to talk, time to cruise, time to see.
You will not want to miss the Port of San Diego.
There is still room for you.
Join us and tag along on one of the boats. We always have fun.
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May 3-6, 2007 Los Angles, CA |
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John and Marla Brown on "Slip Aweigh " Art Ashton and Bernie Lindgren on " Vamos la Lago " Ron Quagliara and Bob Bobbett on " Two if by Sea" Terry/Jean Gray and Connie/Bill Johnson on "C Dreams" Virgina/Bill Belt and Sally/Tim Harrington on " Bata Mor" |
As in all seafaring tales, this journey was well planned and executed to precision. So much for sea stories.
The 2007 Joint OFC XIII/Stinkpot Cruise to Avalon on Catalina Island was a wonderful rendezvous. As departure approached, the weather forecasts called for 8 - 10 foot waves and 40 mph winds. Some of the more enlightened souls took note of this and made a hard tack to port that maneuvered them to Chula Vista CA. The Stinkpotter's decided that horsepower and speed would make up for nautical stubbornness.
The Port Tacker's had a good weekend by sailing over 100+ miles throughout San Diego Bay. They (David Allocco, Randy LeRoche, Rob Anderson) joined Frank Fitzgerald at his marina. The reports were that one person has been converted to a sail person from the experience. We will have to see it to believe it.
The storms from New Zealand, and the Aleutians threatened our plans. But last minute reports from LA sailors John and Marla Brown and our very own Tim Harrington encouraged us to make the journey. It's a long drive to Long Beach especially when you're being chased by 5 tons of boat. The winds around Palm Springs were nasty and destructive. "Two If By Sea" (with Ron Quagliara and his friend, Bob Bobbett) lost a bimini brace and had to hide behind a building just to remove it before it hurt someone. Next was the bone jarring humps and bumps of the California highway system. This ride really makes you appreciate living in Arizona. "Vamos las Lagos" (with Art Ashton and Bernie Lindgren) was waiting for us when we arrived at the Davies Ramp on the evening of May 02. A little conversation, a few minor repairs and we attempted to get some rest. All body parts were crossed hoping for an improvement in the weather. About 2 AM "C Dreams" and its crew (Connie & Bill Johnson and Jean & Terry Gray) arrived, excited but very tired. Of course they woke the rest of us before retiring for a few zzzz's.
Time to launch and get underway
In the calm waters of Long Beah harbor
Approaching Avalon
The Harbor Master awaits to assign the moorings and
collect the fees.The next morning was peaceful at the ramp. The wind was calm, sun was out, and we prepared to launch. The ride out of the breakwater was exciting for a first timer like me. Looking both ways before we entered the shipping channel I felt like a small child crossing the street with his bike for the first time. As we began the 20 mile journey to Avalon the water was fairly calm and did not give any hint of what was to come. We were on plane for only a few minutes when the seas became more active. A few miles further and the swells grew larger. Suddenly, as I looked across at C Dreams, it disappeared. Swallowed like a gum drop into the mouth of one of the swells. It only lasted a moment but it felt much longer, and the hole in the ocean spit the 27 foot cruiser back out and then all I could sea was the water and I realized we too were taken into one of the swells. Vamos las Lagos was zig zagging through the sea trying to avoid the hard slapping that was inevitable. Before it was over our voyage took us through 7 foot swells and some wind chop. At this point Avalon wasn't very prominent and there was a real sense of needing to be serious about piloting our boats. I'm not sure about the rest of the flotilla but I for one and my crew of one, Bob Bobbett, were certainly relieved when we saw the harbor patrol waiting for us as we entered port. Little did I know that the captain of the harbor patrol was going to give us a scolding for making the crossing while small craft warnings were flying. Happy that we made it, we were quick to point out that there were no small craft flags flying when we left Long Beach. Tim Harrington seemed quite surprised that we survived the high seas and added that this was the worst he had seen in all of the years that he had been crossing. The lesson here is that there are always surprises on the water, and we constantly need to make judgments as to whether or not our personal skill is up to the challenge. We were prepared, we stayed in sight of one another and in contact by FRS and VHF. When it got a bit rough we slowed and steered a course that was easier on the crew and the boat.
The boats on their moorings in Catalina
The power boats at their moorings
Bata Mor (center)Mooring at Avalon is a bit of chore especially in any kind of churn and with wind. We accomplished it with only one minor injury-a fish hook to the hand. Lunch on the island, and rummaging through shops were next on the agenda. After a trip full of adventure everyone needed a rest, but after recharging it was off to the casino. No, there is no gambling, but this beautiful landmark is the home of the only movie house on the island. "Blades of Glory" certainly will not win any dramatic academy awards. In fact it is so stupid it won't win any awards, but it was just what the doctor ordered to lighten the spirit. Dinner at Vincent's Steak house was next. Don't forget this is the Phoenix Power Squadron and we are known to move on our stomachs. "Bata Mor" (with Tim & Sally Harrington and Bill & Virginia Belt) came into port at about the same time as "Slip Aweigh" (with John & Marla Brown, D/13 P/D/C's). They had had some rougher seas then we met up with.
Because of bad weather reports we altered our plans and took a bus tour of the island on Friday. It was windy and cold and the fog was so thick that planes could not land at their airport in the sky, but it was the perfect activity for this kind of day. Friday cocktail hour was hosted on "Slip Aweigh" to a very lively crowd. More lunches, more dinners, more shopping, more toasts, after all we were preparing for Cinco de Mayo.A bus tour and walk around downtown Avalon
Modern island mass transportation
Art and Ron wonder just where they are
Jean and Connie stroll the downtown
as Terry looks to see what is left in the checkbook
Ok, our boats are out there somewhere.Harbor Transportation
Water taxi
Or bring your ownSaturday's weather really improved contrary to all predictions. The flotilla formed up and headed out. We stopped at Two Harbors, had lunch, and walked about this part of the island. Much of the island hosts various religious and scouting camps. It really is a remarkable opportunity for youngsters. After a full afternoon we started back. Well, we almost started back. C Dreams sprang a leak. Phew, just antifreeze and a bit of duct tape and plastic wire ties and we were on our way. The wind was picking up and the sea was starting to churn. The spray was coming up over the bow. It was exciting and a ton of fun. But something just wasn't right with the boat. The tach said the engine was running steady, but the speedometer was very erratic. The boat would slow, but the tach would remain constant. It also felt stern heavy, like we had water in the bilge. Oh no we're sinking - that's the first thing that goes through your mind. Using the radio I hailed the other boats and they circled which goes a long way to making you feel better. Up goes the hatch. It's completely dry in the bilge - I report to Johnson and Ashton the other captains. Then I hear a bit of old sage over the radio. What you're experiencing is a following sea. You're slowing as you climb the way and speeding up as you go down the other side. Increase your speed and see what happens. Sure enough with enough speed everything seems better. So, slowing isn't always the answer. This was a great trip for gaining experience. Oh did I forget to mentions that it is quite likely that you will get a mouth full of seawater when you are laughing as spray comes flying over the bow, and don't wash your navy blue jacket after it has been sprayed because when salt water dries it leaves a white ring - that's your badge of honor for the fun and the fight that you've survived.
Happy Hour aboard Bata Mor
Art Ashton and Tim Harrington
Marla Brown, Connie Johnson and Jean Gray
I'm not sure but it looks like Tim is about to
drop something into Sally's drink
Marla Brown, Virginia and Bill Belt
Ron is telling Bill to get his hand off his leg.It was a great trip. We got to know each other a bit more. We got to meet members of the Redondo Beach squadron. Saturday cocktails were hosted on the "Bata Mor" who outdid themselves in plying the attendees with food. We saw Catalina island in a completely different way than most of its island's visitors. trip back was totally uneventful - just what we needed. A little chop for the first 2 miles and then it was like an ice skating rink. During our journey to and from we saw dolphins, sea rays, and seals. We caravanned back to Phoenix and the road even seemed kinder. These outings are the reason we joined the squadron and this Avalon cruise certainly met our expectations. Look forward to more of you joining us in the future.
(photos by Johnson, Harrington, and Quagliara) Click here for these and other photos
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