Friday July 3rd, 2015
Ventura to Oxnard
Crew: Mark/Liz/Amanda/Michael
Departure Time: 2:26pm, 7/3/2015
Distance: Approx 10nm
Time enroute: Approx 1hr 40 minutes
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| Bluewater's route from Ventura Keys to Oxnard Peninsula Yacht Marina |
We (Liz, Mark, and Amanda) arrived at the Laby's house in the mid-morning to pick up Bluewater. After thanking the Laby's for allowing us to keep our boat at their dock (behind their home in the Ventura Keys) we motored across the calm harbor to the pump-out dock. We had to reposition the boat slightly so a large commercial squid boat could pull in behind us, and then moved to the guest dock so that Michael Sevy could join the boat for the short sail to Channel Island Harbor in Oxnard.
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| Mark and Jordan Laby (THANK YOU!!) |
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| Bluewater in Ventura Keys |
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| Squid boat at Ventura pump-out dock |
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| Michael Sevy hoisting the main |
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| Amanda |
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| Mark & Liz |
Michael had driven down that day from SF, and Michael and Mark made some minor sail repairs and adjustments, re-attaching the lower batten car and replacing an awkward redundant shackle on the main outhaul with a soft shackle. Michael also drove us for a quick provisioning/fuel trip before we departed for a nice beam-reach sail to Oxnard with moderate winds that were plenty to keep us moving toward our destination without having to rely on the motors. Peninsula Yacht Marina had already identified our end-tie destination, and after Michael brought us through the harbor, Mark was able to get us within leaping distance of the dock. We checked in at the Marina office and were pleasantly surprised when Mark, Amanda, and Michael returned to the dock from a short dinghy trip to learn that Sam, Mary, and David had already arrived (we thought the traffic would have been more of a hold-up).
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| Mark, Amanda, Michael |
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| Sam & Amanda plus David, Mark, Mary |
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| David, Michael, Mark cracking up |
After rearranging cars, we enjoyed the local Toppers pizza joint, about a half-mile from the marina. Then all 7 of us (Liz/Mark/Amanda/Michael/David/Mary/Sam) spent the night on Bluewater in Oxnard.
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| Bunkmates |
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| Amanda and Sam horsing around |
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| Nighttime in Oxnard Marina |
Saturday July 4th, 2015
Oxnard to Smuggler's Cove, Santa Cruz Island
Crew: Mark/Liz/Amanda/Michael/David/Mary/Sam
Departure Time: 9:12am, 7/4/2015
Distance: Approx 20nm
Time enroute: Approx 4 hours
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| Oxnard Peninsula Yacht Marina to Smuggler's Cove, Santa Cruz Island |
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| Mary and Liz and pancakes |
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| Captain's briefing |
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!! We woke up relaxed and excited on the 4th of July. After leisurely enjoying our coffee and pancakes and being briefed by Captain Mark, we departed Oxnard at 9:12am. As we crossed the shipping channel enroute to Santa Cruz island, we gave way to the slowest ship on the planet. Perplexing.
We Arrived in Smuggler's Cove about 12:30pm and set the anchor. Mark dove the anchor and found, much to his dismay, kelp wrapped around it. As Michael backed down on the anchor with the engines, it easily slid along the bottom (not a good thing). So we re-set the anchor, much to the kids chagrin (being told they could play AFTER we set the anchor was like a dirty trick since it took so long). Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches prepared us for a shore outing. It ended up being more adventurous than intended when the two Moms (Liz and Mary) with the two kids (Amanda and Sam) exited the dinghy just as a large wave crested toward shore. We all looked up at the wave and got tumbled in the surf as Mark drove the dinghy back to Bluewater. We were all wearing life vests and the kids surfaced with HUGE smiles on their faces and a taste for more waves. While Sam and Amanda continued to play in the waves, Mary and Liz explored the beach and examined the pelagic crabs. David and Mark joined us on the second dinghy trip as Michael headed back to Bluewater and then returned (thankfully) to pick us all up in two more trips.
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| Departure from Oxnard: Sam, Michael, Amanda |
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| Arrival at Smuggler's Cove |
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| Michael at the helm |
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| Mark heading out to dive the anchor |
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| David, Michael, Mark discussing anchoring (Anacapa Island in distance) |
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| Bluewater anchored in Smuggler's Cove |
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Dinghy to shore adventure
Amanda, Mark, Mary, Sam (plus Liz) |
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| Pelagic Crab |
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| Mary holding a Pelagic Crab |
From Wikipedia Pleuroncodes planipes, sometimes called the pelagic red crab (or simply "red crab"), tuna crab or langostilla, is a species of squat lobster from the eastern Pacific Ocean.
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| Sam with a Pelagic Crab |
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Michael driving the dinghy back toward Bluewater
David and Mark hidden behind the wave
Amanda and Sam heading out for more fun |
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Cousins Amanda and Sam on Santa Cruz Island
(with Anacapa Island in the distance) |
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| David and Mark arriving on shore after a dinghy dropoff |
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Mary & David on Santa Cruz Island
examining the Pelagic Crabs |
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| Sam and Amanda and more fun |
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| Dinghy pickup from Michael |
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Dinner time and everyone is present! Sam, David, Mary, Michael, Mark, Amanda, Liz
Homemade chili (Thanks Mary!), soup, and burgers |
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| Mark doing dishes |
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| Amanda and Sam brushing teeth in the galley |
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Coastguard boat that pulled up to the single mooring ball near us in Smuggler's Cove
It was lit up like a Christmas tree and highly confusing in the middle of the night (and blurry without my glasses on)
There was no wind but our beam was to the waves so we rocked (gently) all night |
Sunday July 5th, 2015
Smuggler's Cove to Hole-in-the-Wall anchorage, Santa Cruz Island
Crew: Mark/Liz/Amanda/Michael/David/Mary/Sam
Departure Time: 9:46am, 7/5/2015
Distance: Approx 19nm
Time enroute: Approx 5 hours (including a slow cruise and various anchoring scenarios)
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| Bluewater's route from Smuggler's Cove to Hole-in-the-wall anchorage, Santa Cruz Island |
It was very calm in the morning in Smuggler's Cove. We devoured Mary's homemade banana bread, some with raspberries in it (yum!) and departed just before 10am in 14 knots of wind. We sailed around the northeastern end of Santa Cruz Island and tried to squeeze into Pelican Bay between a few other boats.
When swarms of yellow jackets near the cliffs made their presence known and anchoring became tedious, we departed Pelican Bay (around 2:20 pm). We motored further and were thrilled to find Hole-in-the-wall Anchorage, a sweet (and very private) anchoring site that was just big enough. We took our time setting 2 anchors, one fore and one aft and later set a bridle on the bow. We had a great day snorkeling, dinghying, swimming, and fishing. For dinner, we had grilled vegetables and salmon along with salad. After the kids went to bed (around 10pm) a squid boat motored just outside our cove and shined a blaze of lights on the water and onto the cliffs. Our anchor alarm was set very tight (because of the small size of the cove) so that when we moved with a change in the tide the alarm went off at 4am but we were still safely tucked away in our little slice of heaven.
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| Sam/Mark/Amanda sleeping in the salon |
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| The coastguard boat moored near us in Smuggler's Cove |
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| Facing Santa Cruz Island after departing Smuggler's Cove (thanks for the Panorama Mary!) |
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| David and Michael after departing Smuggler's Cove |
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| Another fun Panorama shot from Mary |
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| Eastern end of Santa Cruz Island |
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| David and Mark, underway |
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| Mark and Michael |
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| Our first peak at Hole-in-the-Wall (on the left) |
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| A great spot!! Hole-in-the-wall anchorage, Santa Cruz Island |
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| Sam/Amanda watching Michael/Mark on bow anchor duty |
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| David on stern anchor duty |
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| Dinghy ride with Captain David plus Amanda/Sam/Mary |
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| Exploratory dinghy ride to see the Hole in the Wall |
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| Bluewater in Hole-in-the-Wall Anchorage (from dinghy) |
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| Sam and Amanda on exploratory dinghy ride |
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| Rainbow Cove |
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| Bluewater in Hole-in-the-Wall Anchorage |
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| Mark snorkeling near Hole-in-the-Wall |
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| Sam and Amanda checking out Hole-in-the-Wall |
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| Mark in a beautiful spot |
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| Swimming/Snorkeling |
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| Fishing and grilling |
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| David grilling veggies. |
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| David and Mary |
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| Brothers after dinner with a view! |
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After dinner fishing:
Thanks to Michael for successfully catching the first fish of Leg 8!!!
(and thanks for letting the kids reel it in!) |
Monday July 6th, 2015
Hole-in-the-Wall anchorage, Santa Cruz Island back to Oxnard
Crew: Mark/Liz/Amanda/Michael/David/Mary/Sam
Departure Time: 9:33am, 7/6/2015
Distance: Approx 28nm
Time enroute: Approx 6 hours (including a stop for swimming)
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| Bluewater's route from Hole-in-the-wall anchorage to Oxnard |
Sam was successful in catching the first fish of the day from Bluewater in Hole-in-the-Wall anchorage! Then we went for a dinghy ride for more fishing and Amanda caught the 2nd fish of the day. We cleaned one fish then pulled both anchors and departed around 9:30am. With light winds, we put the screecher out and had a mellow sail while liz cooked up the Calico Bass - YUM! Just past the shipping channel, Mark/Liz/Amanda jumped into the water in extremely calm conditions. Sam was kind enough to give us a shove off Bluewater since we just wanted a refreshing dip and didn't want the bother of wet suit struggles. Out of the Blue when we were still out of cell phone range, a text popped up from Katey Logan and Kevin Mulholland saying that Kevin was able to go home to continue his rehab after months in the hospital following a serious illness with complications. Hooray!!!! We enjoyed seeing more dolphins and sea lions. I lost track of time but I'm assuming we arrived around 3:30pm back at Peninsula Yacht Marina in Oxnard. In a blink, David/Mary/Sam packed up and were on the road. In another blink, Michael packed up and drove home. Liz/Mark/Amanda took the train back to the San Francisco Bay area the next day.
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| Sam catching the first fish of the day! |
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| Amanda, Sam, Mark, Liz |
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| Calico Bass |
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| Calico Bass |
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| A successful catch! |
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| Scruffy Skipper Mark |
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| Calm seas as we departed Santa Cruz Island |
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