Awesome and thank you for sharing. Power boat person all my life (age 60), just bought a mint cape dory 22 sailboat last week. Lol, I have never sailed.....like ever.. We are docked in Marina Del Rey, and planning a sail to Catalina Islands; but not after I am ready as I am a newbie sailor. I am learning fast and loving it. See you soon on Cat....I will introduce us to you if I ever see you there...cheers. Mike
You dont have to motor all the way accross at 183 degrees. Sail south of Catalina. The current and the wind changes mid channel. It will pull you back to the island and Avalon.
I saw your add at Craigslist. It's currently not in my budget right now but will consider buying it later if it's still for sale. I would rather get this than a laser or a lido. It looks very nice and very well kept boat. I can see myself learning the ropes on this one. Thanks for posting this inspirational video.
I have a 16' catamaran with 8' beam. It has only a trolling motor (no sail). I have plenty of solar power, two 12 volt batteries, and a little generator that can run for many hours on little fuel. My top speed is about 6 knots full throttle and average about 4 taking it easy. I want to make this trip from San Pedro. What do you think; good idea, bad idea, OK idea? I could replace the trolling motor with a gas power and that would make me very fast. However, what is your view of trying on the electric trolling motor? I also have a spare motor I keep wrapped and dry in the tiny cabin.
This is awesome! someday i will sail to Catalina too. I just had my first sail lesson last week. my boat is 26ft in a slip in Driscoll Mission Bay in San Diego. Cant wait! Thanks for sharing. also, what size outboard motor do you have??
+Sammy Thompson Hunter recommends a 5HP outboard for the 19. I bought a Suzuki 15HP because its the smallest fuel injected outboard you can buy, and I hate hate hate dealing with carburetors... It is way too much power for the boat, and pushes the little Hunter at hull speed at only 40% throttle. It burned about 3 gallons motoring into the wind in the video.
Nice job on the solo crossing! Looks like a lot fun. You obviously didn't have any trouble with mooring availability this time of year. Did you cross on a weekday?
I just showed up and asked for a spot.. I do not remember if they take reservations.. but if you go mid-week, or off-season, you are very likely to get a good spot.
I’m getting into sailing. I’m looking at a Catalina 28 for my first boat. I want to sail to Catalina island from San Diego regularly for fun with my sons. You think a 28 is a good boat for that trip?
lots of factors here, but overall yes, a 28 is a great starter ocean boat. Many will disagree with me and say a 30-33 is better, but I've found the 28 class to be the perfect compromise between small and maneuverable, but still a reasonable amount of interior space. I can't really get much more specific than that without knowing more about your family, but I can say in the early 90's when i was a kid, my parents took the 4 of us on weekend trips with a Chrysler 26. It really comes down to budget: how much are you willing/able to spend? We had a 26 because it was trailer-able and a lot cheaper to own, as well as we could just tow it anywhere we wanted. A 40' has much more room, but keeping it in the water year-round is much more expensive, not to mention it costs 5x more to buy.
Kurt Ratzlaff I’m a retired Naval Aircrewman and I have three sons. Teenagers. My wife is Japanese. I met her at Disneyland in Japan. So my sons want to fish and eat the fish raw on the boat still kicking. These guys are awesome. We don’t mind being cramped at all. I’d like stay under 100k but if have I too I’m sure i can talk my wife into 150 to 200k. I’m a retired sailor but not in these vessels. I was on carriers. So I have to learn. But I’m eager to get back to the ocean after surviving a severe stomach tumor. Four years of fighting that. I’m ready to get back into shape and sail. So I have a lot of things I need to look into before I go full swing into this. But I’m committed. It’s calling me.
you can buy a brand new 32' for 200k, so budget is really your friend here. Realistically, 15k is a nice minimum, most boats under that price will be more than 20 years old, or need refurbishing. www.seawardyachts.com/ If i had 100-200k to spend, this is what I would buy, they make 2 models, a 26 and 32 and they are both perfect for ocean use. I'm also a big fan of the Hunter sailboats. Its best to go to a marina and walk up and down the docks and see what works for you. Go to boat shows, etc.. buying a boat is a lot like buying a house; there are 1000's of designs and you have to find the right fit for you.
Good times. Advice: be conscious of keeping the pacing moving on your videos. Sometimes I switched it to 1.25x and 1.5x to keep the story moving. Yes, my videos have this problem too.
It's always difficult to know what the audience will find interesting and what they wont. I watch my analytics closely to see and try to adjust accordingly in future videos. Anything you would like to see that I left out?
Kurt Ratzlaff oh no. How do you buy a boat? Or how did you sell him? I’m sorry for asking. I don’t even know how to look to find a boat like mr wickham. I really liked him. Those boats are hard to find.
www.sailboatlistings.com is what I used, it's a simple site for just sailboats, like craigslist.. well.. I also looked on craigslist, but sailboatlistings is more search friendly for a specific type of boat.. i think my old ad is still up since I lost my password and can't delete it..
I may be moving from Honolulu to CA someday soon. If I do, I hope to bring my Pacific Seacraft 25 with me. It would be great to learn from you if I arrive soon. Did you sell your beautiful boat?
I have since sold Mr. Wickham, but did recently take home a Cal 25. It needs a little work, but should be ready for the water in a month or two. How is your pacific seacraft? I've heard great things about those vessels.
Great video. We really enjoyed watching .thanks
Awesome and thank you for sharing. Power boat person all my life (age 60), just bought a mint cape dory 22 sailboat last week. Lol, I have never sailed.....like ever.. We are docked in Marina Del Rey, and planning a sail to Catalina Islands; but not after I am ready as I am a newbie sailor. I am learning fast and loving it. See you soon on Cat....I will introduce us to you if I ever see you there...cheers. Mike
I’ve always felt in awe when I see dolphins, they definitely have souls! They’re super awesome 😎
Looks like a great trip! thanks for posting. I will need to head over there.
Love it! Dreaming of getting my own boat one day, but need to gain so much more knowledge first!! Until then, I will admire from afar
This video is epic. It’s my dream to cruise back and forth between Catalina. I need a boat soon.
Did you ever get your boat? Im still trying to get mine
Cool journey! I want to do it 😁
You dont have to motor all the way accross at 183 degrees. Sail south of Catalina. The current and the wind changes mid channel. It will pull you back to the island and Avalon.
great tip! thanks
I saw your add at Craigslist. It's currently not in my budget right now but will consider buying it later if it's still for sale. I would rather get this than a laser or a lido. It looks very nice and very well kept boat. I can see myself learning the ropes on this one. Thanks for posting this inspirational video.
boat has sold :)
Thanks for the update. Are you getting a bigger boat?
Yup! you see them at Small Craft Cruising on youtube, we just completed a trip down the MIssissippi river!
Roland R A
Can a 25 ft sailboat Catalina make it from Long Beach to Catalina Island?
Excellent post!
Nice lil fishies
He launched right up the street from me. This was ballsy
What kind of sailboat do you have?
I have a 16' catamaran with 8' beam. It has only a trolling motor (no sail). I have plenty of solar power, two 12 volt batteries, and a little generator that can run for many hours on little fuel. My top speed is about 6 knots full throttle and average about 4 taking it easy. I want to make this trip from San Pedro. What do you think; good idea, bad idea, OK idea? I could replace the trolling motor with a gas power and that would make me very fast. However, what is your view of trying on the electric trolling motor? I also have a spare motor I keep wrapped and dry in the tiny cabin.
email me and let's chat: smallcraftcruising@gmail.com
This is awesome! someday i will sail to Catalina too. I just had my first sail lesson last week. my boat is 26ft in a slip in Driscoll Mission Bay in San Diego. Cant wait! Thanks for sharing. also, what size outboard motor do you have??
+Sammy Thompson Hunter recommends a 5HP outboard for the 19. I bought a Suzuki 15HP because its the smallest fuel injected outboard you can buy, and I hate hate hate dealing with carburetors... It is way too much power for the boat, and pushes the little Hunter at hull speed at only 40% throttle. It burned about 3 gallons motoring into the wind in the video.
Nice job on the solo crossing! Looks like a lot fun. You obviously didn't have any trouble with mooring availability this time of year. Did you cross on a weekday?
dangre00 Thanks man! It was excellent. Yup, went on Wednesday.
How far in advance did you book that mooring
I just showed up and asked for a spot.. I do not remember if they take reservations.. but if you go mid-week, or off-season, you are very likely to get a good spot.
you can sail upwind. no need to motor the whole way.
how long did it take?
Do you still do this? This is AMAZING.
yes, I moved all my boating videos to another channel, check out SmallCraftCruising ruclips.net/channel/UCU_bz-7fv6XEgOLs8AZfXHg
How much horsepower does your engine have?
I’m getting into sailing. I’m looking at a Catalina 28 for my first boat. I want to sail to Catalina island from San Diego regularly for fun with my sons. You think a 28 is a good boat for that trip?
lots of factors here, but overall yes, a 28 is a great starter ocean boat. Many will disagree with me and say a 30-33 is better, but I've found the 28 class to be the perfect compromise between small and maneuverable, but still a reasonable amount of interior space. I can't really get much more specific than that without knowing more about your family, but I can say in the early 90's when i was a kid, my parents took the 4 of us on weekend trips with a Chrysler 26. It really comes down to budget: how much are you willing/able to spend? We had a 26 because it was trailer-able and a lot cheaper to own, as well as we could just tow it anywhere we wanted. A 40' has much more room, but keeping it in the water year-round is much more expensive, not to mention it costs 5x more to buy.
Kurt Ratzlaff I’m a retired Naval Aircrewman and I have three sons. Teenagers. My wife is Japanese. I met her at Disneyland in Japan. So my sons want to fish and eat the fish raw on the boat still kicking. These guys are awesome. We don’t mind being cramped at all. I’d like stay under 100k but if have I too I’m sure i can talk my wife into 150 to 200k. I’m a retired sailor but not in these vessels. I was on carriers. So I have to learn. But I’m eager to get back to the ocean after surviving a severe stomach tumor. Four years of fighting that. I’m ready to get back into shape and sail. So I have a lot of things I need to look into before I go full swing into this. But I’m committed. It’s calling me.
you can buy a brand new 32' for 200k, so budget is really your friend here. Realistically, 15k is a nice minimum, most boats under that price will be more than 20 years old, or need refurbishing. www.seawardyachts.com/ If i had 100-200k to spend, this is what I would buy, they make 2 models, a 26 and 32 and they are both perfect for ocean use. I'm also a big fan of the Hunter sailboats. Its best to go to a marina and walk up and down the docks and see what works for you. Go to boat shows, etc.. buying a boat is a lot like buying a house; there are 1000's of designs and you have to find the right fit for you.
What size of outboard did you use for the crossing?
that was a Suzuki 15
How did you prepare for this passage , key essentials
Good times. Advice: be conscious of keeping the pacing moving on your videos. Sometimes I switched it to 1.25x and 1.5x to keep the story moving. Yes, my videos have this problem too.
It's always difficult to know what the audience will find interesting and what they wont. I watch my analytics closely to see and try to adjust accordingly in future videos. Anything you would like to see that I left out?
What's the deal with moorings? First come or what $$?
yeah that's basically it, if the moorings are full you're stuck anchoring, fine for larger boats, not great for a 19' water ballasted model
I totally live right here
cant believe ppl leave their trash on the island like that smh
Can I buy mr wickham from you?
I sold him about 2 years ago. He's in Ventura now
Kurt Ratzlaff oh no. How do you buy a boat? Or how did you sell him? I’m sorry for asking. I don’t even know how to look to find a boat like mr wickham. I really liked him. Those boats are hard to find.
Kurt Ratzlaff I found some on boat trader. Things are a bit harder after chemo. But I’ll get it done. Thanks for taking time.
www.sailboatlistings.com is what I used, it's a simple site for just sailboats, like craigslist.. well.. I also looked on craigslist, but sailboatlistings is more search friendly for a specific type of boat.. i think my old ad is still up since I lost my password and can't delete it..
Please tell me how you made your coffee....
You can see the BBQ hung off the stern railing. I just put my kettle on it and wait for it to boil. Watch around 4:50
Maybe we can enjoy a cup of coffee together someday.
absolutely! shoot me a message on facebook or kurtratzlaff@gmail.com
I may be moving from Honolulu to CA someday soon. If I do, I hope to bring my Pacific Seacraft 25 with me. It would be great to learn from you if I arrive soon. Did you sell your beautiful boat?
I have since sold Mr. Wickham, but did recently take home a Cal 25. It needs a little work, but should be ready for the water in a month or two. How is your pacific seacraft? I've heard great things about those vessels.
I love being white
cool.
Goo Gle What does that have to do with anything
?
Not a sail at all
Boring