California Coastal Power Boating, Beginner Questions

[tyler_bee]

I'm considering moving into a cabin cruiser for the family and I to run up and down the coast.

I've sailed a 28 ft Columbia sloop a few times within a mile of the jetty entrance but thats about it.

I know seas and wind change but what is a "Typical" cruise like in a powerboat of what size?

I've read a few different suggestions on ocean cruising and to be over 20ft is suggested. Is this true? Although not normally a 'Cabin Cruiser', do 'Center Helm' boats provide a much different ride?

When I was sailing around a bit in the sloop, we were running parallel to shore. I recall the swells being above the deck of the boat as they rolled towards us, we would ride to the top of them then back down into the valley. It was a surreal experience. I really enjoyed it, but what height were those conditions? Do they sound common?

I could just imagine powering down the coast to be quite a roller-coaster and i'm not sure how well the rest of the family would take to it.

Do conditions lessen the further away from shore you run?

I'm normally in the water in Mission Bay and would like to possibly run down around the kelp beds to San Diego Bay.

Maby run Dana Point to Long Beach? And what do people use to trip out to Catalina?

I realize I've got a few questions here, just looking for anyone's experience in any of the matters.

Thanks!

 

[54fleetwin]

Re: California Coastal Power Boating, Beginner Questions

I have more problems from boat wakes than swells.
I dont venture far from Oceanside Harbor in my 12' row boat.
Maybe 100 yards past the breakers to fish water about 35 feet.
Caught a couple of guitarfish last time out

 

[cribber]

Re: California Coastal Power Boating, Beginner Questions

It kinda really all depends on what you're willing to spend and monthly fees for upkeep. If you plan on living on the boat full time or just use it for weekend jaunts has a great influence over where you keep the boat and monthly costs you can fit in your budget. For me it's an 18 foot Glastron in the driveway for kicking it up on the local lakes. I'd like to upgrade one day to a 28 foot cat cabin cruiser for a little offshore venturing.

 

[QC]

Re: California Coastal Power Boating, Beginner Questions

I've done a little on my boat, some on friend's boats, some charters etc. Been out 100 miles (south into Mexico) a couple of times on a 35 footer and did a lot of the piloting. I've been over to Catalina a lot, a few times in my 23 footer, and a 21 footer, and on some bigger boats.

Typically it is reasonably glassy in the AM and then the Catalina Channel can get pretty worked up in the afternoon. Fog is a huge concern and without GPS can be a disaster. VHF is a must. I've had a friend get lost just off of Long Beach and he had no idea which way was back and he had to simply wait for the fog to clear, but he's not the sharpest tool in the shed and didn't have any of the tools noted.

I like to plan my day so I am coming in going as close to East as possible up near Dana, Long Beach and Newport. With the wind is the most comfortable, and I usually like to be in by 1:00 PM. Some days are totally different, and we can get some big swells and nasty condition's. There are winter patterns that can blow this plan to heck.

Center consoles are not real popular here as they are cold . . . Most like to be able to get completely out of the wind so Dual Consoles, Cuddies, and Walkarounds are the most popular.

 

[donzi gt230]

Re: California Coastal Power Boating, Beginner Questions

I run my 23' cuddy all around long beach and go to Catalina as well. I've also done it in different boats ranging to 40'. There are good days and scary days. The mornings are usually good, the afternoon not so much. I've had Catalina trips that were 50MPH friendly, and trips at 10 that were wet & not so fun. Radio, GPS, and awareness are minimums. On one of my foggy morning trips I had the displeasure of finding and reporting a debris field from a scattered boat about 1/3 of the way to Catalina. The couple was later found at the bottom in the cabin of their little cruiser. Why were they both in there?-dunno. The barge that plowed them never even felt it-awareness. An acquaintance of mine broke down about half way with no GPS or radio. They floated 'till almost nightfall before being found-equipment. I've watched 50+footers turn back, and 20 footers plow on. There's no real hard rule on what size boat will be safe for a place or condition.