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Birthday Sail to Avalon | Our New Life on the Water

May 18, 2026 · 16 min · 3K views · Avalon, Catalina Island

Vanishing Point slices through waves toward distant island

What this video covers

Chris and Karmen sail their Beneteau 57 Vanishing Point from their home port to Avalon, on Catalina Island, for a birthday dinner at the Lobster Trap restaurant.1:21 The outbound passage runs in 6–7 ft swells with almost no wind and the boat motoring into a light headwind.1:01 At Avalon they pick up mooring ball 226, adjacent to the casino, for a three-night stay.2:15 Chris, a former airline pilot who once flew a Douglas DC-3 for the Commemorative Air Force, spots a DC-3 passing low over the harbor and reflects on the overlap between his aviation career and his new life aboard.4:43 The birthday activities include a zipline on Catalina Island.6:23 The return passage is sailed in 14–15 knots true at roughly 50 degrees apparent, with Vanishing Point making 8 knots — conditions Chris describes as close to ideal.10:50 He announces upcoming plans: a delivery south to San Diego for rigging work, a full bow-to-stern boat tour, and eventual passage to the tropics.2:35

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Boats in this video

Beneteau 57Their boat

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