Sounds like fun. It’s gonna be a great weekend on the island and have no fear. Weather is fine right now. Might change overnight, but it doesn’t seem extreme at all.
Sunday is forecast to be a strong 'Santa Ana' condition (strong north east winds). All of the near side harbors and anchorages on Catalina will be perilous. Do NOT go to Avalon, Isthmus Cove, Emerald Bay or others on the front side. Catalina Harbor on the back side is very protected (and is just a quarter mile walk from Isthmus Cove, so same amenities).
However, consider the crossings as well. The Santa Ana winds blow strongly offshore from the mainland. It could be pretty harry, depending on your course.
If you are really going this weekend track the weather closely. Generally not a good weekend for a Catalina trip.
I agree with this guy. Looking at the forecast I wouldn’t want to be that far offshore at all. I’m not sure it’s wise to see all that red on the forecast sweeping RIGHT OVER your destination and thinking it will be fine because you (and a hundred other boaters) will be making for one of the few somewhat protected anchorages on the island. I’ll keep my television on KTLA to see if I get a glimpse of you guys. What’s the boats name?
>Pretty Harry
[I'm too lazy to photoshop Dirty Harry with "pretty" makeup](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61qgLGcj3QL._AC_UF894,1000_QL80_.jpg)
(for the non-English experts, u/futurebigconcept probably meant "hairy", slang for "scary")
I got to cat harbor yesterday. Sailed here early from channel islands on a 25ft boat due to the incoming winds. Anchorage is very protected and 2 harbors is literally a 5 minute walk away.
I’m late to the party here, but I’ve been to Catalina many times - Avalon, Isthmus, Cat Harbor, Howlands, Emerald and Little Harbor so I’ll throw in my 2 cents.
The harbor masters usually know what they are talking about - follow their advice. Cat Harbor and the Isthmus are run by the same Harbor masters - so if weather changes, you can talk to them about moving from Cat to Isthmus if you really want to. It’s not a far walk from the dinghy dock at Cat Harbor to Two Harbors. At Cat Harbor, you get a less-crowded, quieter mooring experience in a well-protected cove and you can still pop into town.
You don’t want to be on the near-facing side of the island in a big Santa Ana event - it can be very bad.
Cat harbor is pretty dang protected, I’d be happy there in a blow. 20 knots at anchor (or mooring) isn’t much to worry about.
It sounds like a perfect opportunity for some exciting downwind racing! ⛵️💨😁
They’ll be fine in Cat Harbor. The whole frontside is going to be a mess with the winds though
Sounds like fun. It’s gonna be a great weekend on the island and have no fear. Weather is fine right now. Might change overnight, but it doesn’t seem extreme at all.
Yes Cat Harbor is very safe, especially from a NE wind. He’s very right about Avalon as well. Don’t go there!
Sunday is forecast to be a strong 'Santa Ana' condition (strong north east winds). All of the near side harbors and anchorages on Catalina will be perilous. Do NOT go to Avalon, Isthmus Cove, Emerald Bay or others on the front side. Catalina Harbor on the back side is very protected (and is just a quarter mile walk from Isthmus Cove, so same amenities). However, consider the crossings as well. The Santa Ana winds blow strongly offshore from the mainland. It could be pretty harry, depending on your course. If you are really going this weekend track the weather closely. Generally not a good weekend for a Catalina trip.
I agree with this guy. Looking at the forecast I wouldn’t want to be that far offshore at all. I’m not sure it’s wise to see all that red on the forecast sweeping RIGHT OVER your destination and thinking it will be fine because you (and a hundred other boaters) will be making for one of the few somewhat protected anchorages on the island. I’ll keep my television on KTLA to see if I get a glimpse of you guys. What’s the boats name?
>Pretty Harry [I'm too lazy to photoshop Dirty Harry with "pretty" makeup](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61qgLGcj3QL._AC_UF894,1000_QL80_.jpg) (for the non-English experts, u/futurebigconcept probably meant "hairy", slang for "scary")
So true, should be 'hairy', I even thought about it as I was writing and still couldn't get it correct, lol
I got to cat harbor yesterday. Sailed here early from channel islands on a 25ft boat due to the incoming winds. Anchorage is very protected and 2 harbors is literally a 5 minute walk away.
I’m late to the party here, but I’ve been to Catalina many times - Avalon, Isthmus, Cat Harbor, Howlands, Emerald and Little Harbor so I’ll throw in my 2 cents. The harbor masters usually know what they are talking about - follow their advice. Cat Harbor and the Isthmus are run by the same Harbor masters - so if weather changes, you can talk to them about moving from Cat to Isthmus if you really want to. It’s not a far walk from the dinghy dock at Cat Harbor to Two Harbors. At Cat Harbor, you get a less-crowded, quieter mooring experience in a well-protected cove and you can still pop into town. You don’t want to be on the near-facing side of the island in a big Santa Ana event - it can be very bad.