Approaching San Diego

Where Next?
Bob Williams
Thu 31 Dec 2015 20:25
Position: 32 43.7 N 117 34.5 W
Course: East sou' east Speed: 4.5 knots
Wind: calm
Sea: calm Swell: neglible
Weather: sunny, mild
Day's run: 75 nm

I motored into Catalina Harbor to find it totally packed out with moorings, but not boats. A boat marked 'Harbor Master' came out to meet me to lead me to a mooring. He took my details and advised that it would cost $48 US for the night. This seemed an awful lot for a mooring (it would pay for all the fuel we had consumed over the past several days), and the shore life hardly looked inspiring, what looked like a very bare boat storage facility on one side, and some tanks behind barb wire on the other. I enquired about anchoring, and the boat driver advised, politely and pleasantly I should note, that I could anchor one hundred meters clear of the mooring field. As the mooring field took up the best part of the bay, in both senses, this didn't leave much water to choose from and put us out in depth of fifteen meters or more. A couple of boats were already at anchor in what looked like the best spots. I motored around for a bit looking for somewhere where I would feel comfortable for the night, but in the end decided it wasn't worth the effort, especially as there was a light but sailable breeze blowing outside. I increased revs, turned Sylph's bows seaward, and continued towards San Diego.

The breeze held light overnight, sufficient to sail, but now it is calm, the sea smooth, and the BRM noisily drives us on. I hope to be at anchor before dark.

Happy New Year.

All is well.