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Sailing to Santa Barbara Island (August 2020)

September 3, 2020 · 15 min · 6K views · Santa Barbara Island

What this video covers

A 38-ft sailboat departs Cherry Cove, Catalina Island, for a passage to Santa Barbara Island in August 2020. The crew motors the entire 3-hour transit in light winds and calm swells, maintaining an average speed of 6 knots. Upon arrival, they anchor in 45 feet of water, deploying 300 feet of chain for a 6:1 scope, secured with a bridle. The anchor holds firmly overnight in sandy bottom conditions. The crew explores the island’s landing, caves, and blowholes by dinghy and foot, noting sharp barnacles and local sea lion activity. During the return trip to Los Angeles Harbor, the vessel crosses the southbound shipping lanes, monitoring the 335-meter container ship Everlegend via AIS. The passage concludes with a final approach into the marina against 21-knot headwinds. The anchor retrieved cleanly from the sandy bottom, free of the heavy kelp or clay often encountered in other regional anchorages.

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Boats in this video

Valiant Yachts 40-2Their boat

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