Tag Archives: afamilyafloat

Santa Cruz Island and Santa Catalina Island

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Sunday, October 11, we sailed out to Pelican Bay on Santa Cruz Island. Along the sail we spotted a Mola Mola leaping out of the water. It was amazing! When we first arrived at Pelican, there were 7 other boats.  A little crowded, but manageable with bow and stern anchor. It was Colombus Day on Monday, so everyone left by the next afternoon.  In the mean time, we boatschooled, snorkeled, boatschooled, and norkeled more. We were on Island time now!

Much to our surprise our new sailing family friends, SV Agamére, on our big sister boat (Stevens 47), arrived that Monday afternoon. The kids were so excited to be reunited with their buddies that they had met in Morro Bay.  We were also excited to have other adults to converse with. 

     
   
We basically just boatschooled, snorkeled and practiced our free diving. The water temp was near 70-72 while we were there. A perfect environment for the kids to get comfortable in the water again.  Nina’s PR last year was 23 feet, she set a new PR of 32 feet! Ellamae is now diving down around 10 feet as well. Taj hasn’t braved the water yet, but he loves paddling around in his kayak. We anchor the kayak near were we snorkel, giving him a little freedom to paddle around. 

From Pelican, we buddy boated with Agamére over to Little Scorpion Anchorage, where we ended up having a potluck together, cooking five fish that we collectively caught that day for fish tacos. It was a fish medley; 1 Kelp Bass, 1 Black Rock Cod, 2 Tree Fish Cod, and 1 Sierra. Christian caught the Bass and one Tree Fish with his spear gun. I caught one tree fish and the Black Rock Cod with a pole spear. The Sierra was caught by SV Agamére. Needless to say, dinner was amazing and we managed to fit all 10 of us comfortably on their boat. 

The next day after snorkeling with seals and many other fish in Scorpion Bay, we sailed over to Smugglers Cove for even more snorkeling in 40+ visability!

On Thursday we sailed to Lovers Cove on Catalina, also know as Isthmus or Two Harbors.  We anchored in 60 feet of water and again the visability was about 40 feet and water temp about 73F . The Marine Science Center on the Island reported temps getting up to 80F!  

Friday’s field trip for boatshooling included a hike to USC’s Wrigly Marine Science Center for a tour of the fish tanks and detailed talk on all the sea creatures of Catalina. 

   
   

WaterMaker is officially in use

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We started our Spectra WaterMaker today. First a purge of the system (a 30 minute process) since its been in its “preserved” state. We found a few leaks around the primary filter housing that needed to be fixed. And a few more at some connection sites.  Then water making mode started!  

   

Slow down everyone 

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Our good friend, Jason W, treated us to breakfast at LouLou’s

  

9 kids tromping around the boat in Monterey. 5 of them were Dr. Keller’s grandchildren (3 of which are Holly’s) and 1 is miss lil Naia. The girls are learning to make insta -friends.


   

After 2 weeks we traveled a whole 80 miles south of our hailing port. Total miles traveled being about 100 miles. We left Monterey on Thursday and sailed to Stillwater Cove, near Pebble Beach. We were able to use their yacht club mooring ball with our Nawiliwili reciprocal. We stayed for two nights. The Anchorage was very rolly, but beautiful. 

Yesterday we sailed 70 miles more, from Stillwater Cove to San Simeon. It was an all day sail, from 5am to 7pm. We wanted to make sure we got in before dark since we have never anchored in San Simeon before. It’s gorgeous here. There is only a beach break shore landing, so we’ll probably hang on the boat for the day and maybe do a little free diving.  

somewhere between Carmel and San Simeon.

  

So far, no one has fed the fish. This is the favorite spot to get fresh air.

 
 

Ellamae’s art book for boat school.