GODDAMN SAILORS!

The Admiral and I decided to venture to the back side of the island this trip. To break the voyage up we would spend the first night front-side in Descanso. Boaters, let me tell ya, you can have Avalon during the summer. Way to crowded, to much boat and jet ski traffic and bumpy boat wakes, it really ruins the entire water experience.

The next morning our trip to Cat Harbor was almost magical, watching the cool morning fog paint the tops of the bluffs and cliffs along the back side. We looked at Little Harbor as an anchorage but there were already three boats there so we passed and continued on. Catalina Harbor looked almost deserted as we entered and anchored on the east side under Ballast Point. This would be our home base for the next five nights.

There was plenty of time to fish, SUP, snorkel and just dinghy around. We did it all.

Catalina Harbor with Cat Head in the distance.

Saturday morning Patches and Scooch joined us for two nights at Cat. They Expressed over and the four of us played, told stories and laughed the entire time. Great time with great friends.

Scooch and the capt went snorkeling at Little Harbor on the reef. Beautiful dive.

After our guests left Monday morning, the Admiral and I moved the boat to the front-side and anchored in Willow Cove. We had it all to ourselves! We readied ourselves for an early departure the next day.

Rush hour at Willow...empty!

We've had many wonderful trips and experiences at Catalina Island. This trip ranks up there with the very best.

Oh almost forgot, the headline for this entry...The first night in Descanso two drunks were trying to pick up the mooring next to us and they were having some difficulty. After some discussion the Harbor Patrolman escorted them to another location and mooring. The next morning, as they were passing our boat to go fishing at 5:00 am, we could hear them shout "Goddamn Sailors". True story.

ANCHORING 101

It's always a good idea to stick your head into the chain locker and check out your ground tackle, especially after you've anchored Serenity Now over 260 times in the past 17 years. I've been keeping my eye on our anchor shackle and finally, it was time to replace it.

Time to replace.

The old and the new.

All ready for the next anchorage. Let's go sailing!

POSTSCRIPT TO NESPORADOS 2019

The original plan was for Jackpot to fly in on an all-nighter from Maui and for us to sail to the island that same day. Due to our mechanical issue, that didn't happen. We left a day later. Thank goodness because JP was really tired. El Jeffe and Hooterman (who flew in from Oregon) took the express to Avalon and were waiting for us as we pulled in. We picked them up and it was off to Hamilton Cove. Sailor Jerry and Crewman Matt took the express the next day and used the water taxi to join us. Logistically it all worked out, never a dull moment!

NESPORADOS 2019

All went as planned, the part arrived in the morning and two men worked all day to replace the steering cable. We would be leaving in the morning for Avalon and the 17th Annual Nesporado Trip.

 This gathering was special because it was the first time we had three generations and all the guys together.  El Jeffe and Hooterman arrived on the Express Thursday night while Sailor Jerry and Crewman Matt joined the gang Friday night. Our spot for 4 nights, Hamilton Cove H-9.

It was a great time to catch up with what everyone was presently doing and recollect old times with stories and memories of the past. The laughs, food and drinks were good but the fishing stunk. Oh well, that's why it's called "fishing" and not "catching". Maybe next time!

Crewman Matt with his grandfather Sailor Jerry.

Three brothers.

Two brothers.

Jackpot telling story.

The gang of Nesporados.

U P D A T E 5:11PM TUESDAY

The needed cable assembly is scheduled to arrive by 10:30 am tomorrow. Boat should be "ship shape" in the afternoon. If all goes as planned, we'll be in Avalon Thursday afternoon. Keep your fingers crossed.

DEAD IN THE WATER

While backing out of the slip today for a trip to the fuel dock something very unusual happened. I had no steerage, no way to control the direction of the boat. WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT! So with the prop, I maneuvered the boat out toward the main channel while radioing harbor patrol on the VHF. Three high school aged fishermen in a dinghy helped out too. Harbor patrol arrived and they pushed me back into the slip.

Now what? Checked the steering cable that connects the helm to the rudder and sure enough it's history, needs replacement. Now we're racing against time, ordered a new steering system, overnight shipping and hoping for a fast install.

Tick tock tick tock.

Cable on the right is gone.

Had to move the NavPod and remove the wheel and compass.

SANTA CATALINA WEATHER FORECAST

              It doesn't get much better than this!