We've returned from Los Angeles alive -- even missed Carmeggedon on the 405 by a day.
We spent eight days on the water & eleven sleeping in the SJ21 (Mk1). Here's a brief synopsis of the trip:
Day 1: Marina del Rey to Catalina Harbor
This was the big one -- could we get all the way down the coast and around the west end of the Island before dark? We kept our options open to bail into Isthmus Cove or Emerald Cove, but we were an hour ahead of schedule at the decision waypoint, so we agreed to make a run for Cat Harbor. In what was to be the pattern for the trip, winds were very light and the wave train conflicted. Also, the wind bent and some crazy tides or currents kept heading us as we approached the bold western headland, forcing several tacks. Still, we ghosted into the Harbor at 8:15 PM, having covered 49 nm in exactly 12 hours. Not bad for a loaded-down boat with 18' waterline! Harbor Patrol suggested an anchorage way in the back of the harbor (which also has moorings); we anchored bow and stern in 8' of water with a sand bottom. Very quiet, and a stone's toss from the dinghy dock. We strolled across the isthmus for a late dinner at Two Harbors.
Day 2: Lay day at Cat Harbor
Day 3: Down to Little Harbor
Our plan was to circle the entire island. We could have gone straight from Cat Harbor round to Avalon, a mere 16 miles; but I wanted to spend a day snorkeling and hiking at Little Harbor, the Hawaii side's only other passable anchorage. We made the four mile trip with little trouble and did a fabulous job anchoring under sail (it is a VERY small harbor!). We tied off bow and stern in 11', with two other boats nearby. It took three attempts to set the stern Danforth, because of the pebbly bottom and kelp.
Little Harbor has a natural rock breakwater that usually blocks the NW swell. But the SW component grew alarmingly during the day, and high tides meant both surges were coming over the breakwater and really throwing us around. Several powerboats dragged anchor, and two left altogether. It was a nasty, jouncy, sleepless 18 hour anchor watch for yours truly. Not a good place to be with a south or SW swell.
Day 4: Around to Isthmus Cove
We were tired and uninspired to slog thru the sloppy waves and light headwinds to Avalon. So we headed back NW with the options to return to Cat Harbor or go to 2Harbors. Winds were extremely light, and we could barely get our drifter or symmetrical spinnaker to stand. Since the wind bends around the point, we were able to enter Isthmus Cove under full spi, however, when other boats were not moving at all.
We moored on the stringline and slept.
Day 5: Down to Avalon.
The 16 or so miles to Avalon can be a chore. Morning winds are light, from the stern, and blocked by cliffs inshore. So we went about three miles out, found a very light tailwind, and scooted all the way under spinnaker and autopilot. The TP10 is much better at flying the chute than we are. Eighteen miles in 4.5 hours; a Catalina 22 took nine hours to make the same distance, closer to shore. We snagged a mooring near the Tuna Club in Avalon.
Day 6: Lay day in Avalon. We did laundry and went snorkeling in Lover's cove.
Day 7: Back to 2Harbors
Very light winds from an unexpected quarter -- due east. But since they were expected to chop round to the N and NW, we skipped the symmetrical spi and crept up the coast on the nylon drifter. That's a 150% genoa-cut sail that flies on its own luff, and it's only good to about 140 degrees off the wind. So we had to make a few long jibes to keep it pulling. Took 6 hours to reach Isthmus Cove.
Day 8: 2Harbors to MDR
Good west winds when we left 2Harbors. Died right at the shipping lanes, then picked up to 15+ kts after Palos Verdes. Beam reaching all the way home under drifter, working sails, and finally reefed main and partial jib. Took a lot of water in thru the keel pin hole. We made the 35 nm in about seven and a half hours, for a moving average of 4.4 kts. Once again the tillerpilot steered basically the whole thing, and the drifter sail added a knot to our daily averages. Strongly recommend both for this trip.
