Leaving the slip around 6:10 we began the six hour, thirty-six mile motor-cruise following our GPS as Catalina wasn't visible until we were about ten miles away. The engine ran smoothly until about 2/3rds of the way there, when we heard a small thump and we were only running on three cylinders. We eased off a little on the speed, and even though the engine vibrated more, there were no indications that we'd blown a head gasket or seriously damaged the motor.
Steve at the Helm
In mid-channel, I noticed some activity a hundred or so yards to our north. It was a huge pod of dolphins! We changed our course to get closer and suddenly we had dozens riding around our bow wake! It was fantastic as they easily swan by and under our bow. Now all I have to do is figure out how to post the video I shot!
Dolphin Pod
After a mile or so, they decided it was time to join the main pod and they disappeared as quickly as the had arrived. It was too cool!
As we neared Catalina, the overcast skies began to clear and when we arrived at noon, we had sun and blue skies. We called out on channel 12 asking about moorings and were told to switch to channel 9 which we did. We met the Harbor Patrol at the entry where they assigned us to mooring 71 after taking our $22 per night fee. Steve was at the helm as we wound our way through the narrow channels to our mooring which we handled with apparent ease.
Moored in Avalon
After eating lunch that we had brought, we called for the shore boat and waited about twenty minutes to be picked up. After going ashore at the cost of $4.75 per person each way, we decided an inflatable should be among our first new purchases.
Steve's company provides internet service to the entire island and he frequently flies over to the island via helicopter to handle ISP problems. So he has a contact on the island who set us up with some free tours. We toured the Casino (Italian for a place of meeting or entertainment) which was built by Wrigley in the late 20's and has a great movie theatre and a huge dance ballroom which is the equivalent of ten stories above. Then later we squeezed on to a "submarine" to view the fish and kelp beds in the preserve adjacent to the harbor.
Fish Frenzy
After walking around Avalon a bit more, we had dinner at Antonio's, Italian food with peanut shells on the floor, before heading back to the boat. Being cheap, we went over to the dinghy dock and hitched a ride with another boater aboard his dinghy thus saving $14.25. Meanwhile, we found that he has an older dinghy for sale which we may buy. Since we had all gotten up rather early, we hit our respect berths just before ten and I was able to get to sleep first, thus starting the snoring contest. Dennis was in the V-berth and didn't contribute much, but Steve and I battled each other through the night for the title of most annoying.
It rained several times through the night, but by morning it had stopped so Steve donned his wetsuit to go overboard to clean the kelp off the prop and do some general scrubbing. After encouraging me that this would be clearest place for me to see the underside of the boat, I jumped in with my trunks and mask for the underwater viewing. It was brisk! I think I was in the water for about a minute and half until I struggled up our improvised rope ladder (a swim ladder now being added to our wish list of boating options).
By nine (check out time), we had our gear stowed and had dried off enough to head on home. For that early, the wind was pretty strong and it strengthened throughout the day. Coming from the southwest, we were able to set our GPS and set our course for a single, long tack of 36 miles straight to the Dana harbor. After getting out of the lee of Catalina, we averaged about 7 mph and arrived about 3:30. We came home sunburned, safe, and satisfied at our first Catalina adventure.
Leaving Catalina
More pictures here.
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