Sampasantacatalinaguita
Say that three times fast.
Sampaguita and I are still resting here at Twin Harbors. For logistical reasons, we decided there was no rush to get to San Diego. The Baja HaHa Rally boats are likely beginning to congregate there, and we don’t wish to compete for anchorages and services with that group. Since they are an organized event with the support of San Diego Harbor, it might be that Sampaguita could be at a slight disadvantage. They leave on October 30 and it is my intention to trail behind them, rather than in front of, or with them.
Here, at Santa Catalina, we are sitting pretty. With plenty of provisions and water, and a sweet(and free) anchoring spot, we can bide our time for a few days. We’ve grown to appreciate it here too. The hiking is great. The people watching is great. The weather is great. We’ve been able to do some writing. Sleeping is easy without the rolling.
There is an interesting mix of folks. There are the holiday go-ers. They mainly congregate on the Isthmus side and behave like regular resort-ers. I haven’t mingled with them. I’m sure there are some nice people, but with different life views and values. There are the employees, a lot of them of all different sorts, as it is quite an operation here. It explains why it is so expensive.
Then there is what I’ll call the “local” crowd. I mean that endearingly. This is the group I relate to the best. There is Jerry, with the Harbor Patrol. Super down-to-earth and kind. He has been doing this gig for eighteen months and lives on his boat not far away from where Sampaguita is anchored. The other night I came back to the boat to find six avocados in my cockpit. It turns out an avocado farmer moored in the harbor and gave him a five gallon bucket of them. So he distributed them around and threw in a couple of limes. As I said, super cool. I met an older woman named Robin who lives on her boat in the harbor. She apparently raised her family here. Then there are the fisherman, both sport and commercial, who use it for the occasional overnight. I appreciate commercial fisherman. They are the cowboys of the sea. No pretense.
That said, everyone is nice. We all say hi and wave to each other as we pass.
A shout out to Jim and Karen of Jim and Karen’s Excellent Adventure. They are Port Townsend-ites who sailed the Pacific Seacraft Dana 24, Sockdolager, across the Pacific Ocean several years ago. A Dana 24 is the big stepsister of the Flicka 20. They were kind enough to have me over for coffee this spring to answer some questions I had about voyaging. One of Karen’s tips was to get a portable shortwave receiver radio since I would not have an SSB(single-sideband) radio. This was a small and economical way to listen in to SSB nets, though I cannot transmit. I can also get the WWV(Colorado) and the WWVH(Hawaii) Time Ticks as an aid to celestial navigation. It is also an AM/FM radio, which, at this point is how I have used it most. Here in Cat Harbor I have been listening to the MLB playoffs on ESPN AM radio and the chaos in the Middle East on NPR FM. I have no favorites in the baseball games or the Middle East.
It’s nice to be away from the mainland but I am not beyond reflection. The disgusting things that humans do to each other, both at home and abroad, are part of what’s driven me to sea. So far, this lifestyle suits me and I haven’t missed the land life and all it’s trappings at all.
Discover more from Sailing With Josh
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
sailingwithjosh
Sailing With Josh 
Josh, where are you ultimately headed?
LikeLike
Well, geez, pressure. My big goal is Chile.
That is lofty, so let’s just say it’s one step at a time, San Diego.
LikeLike
Oh wow, that’s a bit of a distance from the PNW, good on ya! I lived in SD for 12 years, please lmk if you should need something, I still have friends (with boats) in SD/Coronado.
LikeLike
Thank you so much. Yes, a bit of a challenge. I don’t suppose anyone has an extra slip available for a 25 foot sailboat in the SD harbor?
LikeLike
Stand by, we will ask around and see what we can find out for you. What are your proposed dates?
LikeLike
The Baja HAHA rally boats leave SD on the 30th. I am independent of them. I am trying to lag behind them so as not to be in competition for anchorages and services. So my proposed dates are somewhere around the first week of November. I’d like time and ease to provision, water, launder and get my logistical ducks in a row before heading on to Mexico. I also want to give the hurricanes time to blow out. Im prepared to manage on my own, but a leg up would be fantastic. Thank you so much.
LikeLike
Also, Andrea, I’m told the Whale Essay I mentioned will be printed in the November issue of Latitude 38 in the Sightings section. I’ll make a posting of when and where to find it if the rumors are correct.
LikeLike
Andy and Andrea, I have been thinking about my logistics. The boat, it is insured. Do you have friends that are members of any yacht clubs? I am a board member of the Port Townsend Sailing Association, but we certainly don’t have any reciprocity in SD. However, I had the circumstances before where friends and fellow board members were able to get me moorage at a club they used to belong to. This happened in Santa Cruz and Monterrey. Maybe that is an option? My needs are simple. I have been researching the SD scene and I will certainly manage on my own. But insider and local help can be more interesting and accommodating and fun. If nothing works out, even if there is someone you think would be interested in having lunch, that can be fun too. I’m not your run of the mill cruiser.
LikeLike
Eeks, I’m sorry Ive gotten behind on emails this week! Thanks for the details, I will be sure to ask around. I hope we can hook you up!
LikeLike
I booked into the Shelter Island guest dock , but am still open to interesting meetings. Also, that whale story was published today. https://sailingwithjosh.com/2023/11/02/the-resourceful-sailors-whale-tales/
LikeLike
Love following you, we have a Flicka which I am finishing the rehab of now. I built a 32 foot sharpie egret yawl (Reuel Parker design) a few years ago, so this is our second sailboat. I love the Flicka, very different from our sharpie.
LikeLike
Thank you so much for reading Dennis. I’m not familiar with that particular Parker design, but I sure know a Flicka. Hopefully I’m showing you the possibilities.
LikeLike
Ahoy,
I did a month in San Diego and there are a couple free anchorages in SD. One is La Playa just down the way from the guest dock. You need to register for a spot and can do it on line. Another one is over near Coronado and there is another one I cannot remember the name. You very smart to wait out the Haha. I wanted to see friends so we ended at a military marina called Fiddlers Cove. We were not military but they let us stay as they knew every place was booked. Also, go for a swim at Kona Kai Resort just off the guest dock Sneak in and head to the pool bar for a cold one!
LikeLike
Thanks Craig. I’m hip to those anchorages. The guest dock has worked out. It’s a bit of walking but I’m up to it. No time limits or dinghy to inflate. I only get charged for my 24′ so it feels like a bargain.
LikeLike