The Great Shakedown Cruise: Ventura - Marina Del Ray - Dana Point

Nov 23rd: Spent the day walking around Ventura Harbor looking for our friends, the Eells on s/v Valhalla. Went the wrong way, finally got them on the phone to find out we had to go around the other way. Turns out we were virtually across the waterway between two marinas. Visit was short, but sweet, as they had to head out at zero-dark-four, and we at zero-dark-six...they for Santa Catalina Island, we to Marina Del Ray. Was great to visit and exchange tall tales. Remainder of day was occupied with vacuuming, cooking tomato sauce for spaghetti dinner, baking of banana bread, and the always dreaded laundry in our very own onboard laundromat. Finished the day by topping off the water tanks, had a bit of spaghetti and hit the sack. Didn't bring camera, so got no pictures of our "reunion".

(Speaking of pictures, believe if you click them, they will enlarge and allow you to view them all at once.... :)

Shakedown on end tie at Ventura Isle Marina

Ventura Harbor at sunset

Nov 24th: Alarm went off at 0500, and crew was up and raring to go. Everything put where it needed to be put, and then casting off from our dock at 0555. We got out of the harbor entrance and rigged the boat for open seas (this means the fenders/bumpers had to be pulled up and stowed away, the dock step had to be pulled up and tied to the rail, the gap where the dock step was had to be secured with lifelines, and the docklines had to be properly stowed away). By now it is time for the official sunrise at 0638. We put up mizzen and stays'l again at 0720 in anticipation that there actually might be the forecasted 10-15 knot wind this morning. Half hour later, we got a bonus. Winds picked up quickly to 25-28 knots. NOT in the forecast. Had a great ride, then got in behind some coastal “mountains” which blocked the easterly winds to almost nothing. We spent the rest of the day motoring in 1-3 knot wind/flat calm seas the remaining 40 miles to Marina Del Ray. But it was nice and sunny with pretty much unlimited visibility. We tied up at 1542, at Chace Park warf H300D. Paid our $50 and hooked up to shore power post. Plan on relaxing, having dinner, get some sleep and be out of here at 0600.

Marina Del Ray entrance

Paddling out of Marina Del Ray

Marina Del Ray

Nov 25th: We were up at 0500 and shoved off from Chace Park Dock and were underway at 0600. Calm and flat. With the 0635 sunrise raised the staysail as we had a light breeze on the port beam. The long awaited for sighting of dolphins happened at 0709, although just a few came near and then disappeared. Hoisted mizzen at 0720, main at 0747 and the jib at 0827. It has been quite a while since all four sails were flying. Unfortunately, we couldn't shut down the engine because what appeared to be promising winds failed to appear and we had just enough to fill the sails but no more. Around 1300 the dolphins were back and they brought friends! For almost an hour, they were frolicking around the boat and “body-surfing” our bow wake. We arrived Dana Point just minutes before sundown. Pulled into the West Basin anchorage, dropped anchor, dragged, dropped again, dragged, droped a third time and it held just well enough to call it a night after 45 minutes of performing this exercise. Engine off at 1730. Dinner, a movie, and bed.

Nov 26th: Early this morning, pumped up our rigid inflatable boat (RIB) with our new battery-powered air pump. Sure beats thefoot pump. Launched the RIB, filled it with four empty jerry cans and motored to the other (east) end of the harbor to the fuel dock. Filled them with diesel, emptied the trash, scoped out the area. Found out there was only one small dock that one could park a dinghy, and the time limit was two hours! I asked one of the Harbor Patrol (Orange County Sherriff's dept) if that was only option. He confirmed, and told me they check quite regularly, so if I wanted to take my chances, it could potentially cost $200 to get it out of impound. But at least the anchorage was free and we could stay for five nights. Headed back to Shakedown as a breeze was picking up. Got there just in time to notice that the anchor was once again, dragging. Decided to raise anchor and drive over to the East anchorage, where there was much less wind, and, as it turns out, better holding bottom. Got ready to go visit dear friends, from Whidbey Island days, Ted and Angie Shiermeyer at their place in Laguna Niguel (about four miles by taxi). We were originally going for lunch, but having to move the boat and re-anchoring, put us into the early dinner hour. Had a great visit, albeit short because of the aforementioned two-hour limit on dinghy parking, we got back just as sun was setting. We read and watched a bit of tacky TV offerings and hit the sack.

Nov 27th: Decided to put up the Bimini this morning in preparation for tomorrow's forecasted rain showers. Emptied the diesel jugs into port fuel tank. Had to do some rearranging in the bow compartment to make sleeping accomodations for the impending visit by Hal's brother Vern and his friend Jan. Ted and Angie came to the harbor today to visit with us. After a nice lunch in the outdoor seating at the Wind & Sea restaurant, we took a ride in the RIB around the harbor and then dropped them off to catch their taxi ride back. As sun set, Vern & Jan arrived, we loaded their gear in the RIB and got them safely to Shakedown. Had a wonderful evening.

Nov 28th: Turkey Day. Had a bit of breakfast this morning, everyone having slept well during a calm night. We had reservations for a “traditional turkey dinner” at the Wind & Sea for 1245. Met Ted & Angie there, as well as their daughter, Charlotte. The seven of us had a great time eating (too much) and getting to know one another better. We were sorry to have to say so long to Ted, Angie and Charlotte, but tentative plans for a “reunion” of sorts were made for San Diego next month. It didn't rain today.

Filled up with Turkey and framing Shakedown in the distance

Angie and Nancy

Ted and Angie enjoying Thanksgiving dinner

Hal, Nancy, Jan, and Vern

Nov 29th: Had a bit of breakfast this morning before Vern & Jan had to pack up. They departed Shakedown at 1100, and upon coming back to Shakedown, NJ and I simultaneously got an “empty nest” feeling. It was so comfortable having them onboard. We decided to take a last look around, so drove the RIB back to the dinghy dock and walked the perimeter harbor over to the West anchorage and back. Stopped into Turks and had a couple of beers, then back to Shakedown. Removed everything from the RIB and hauled it back aboard. Had leftovers for dinner (what else do you do the day after Thanksgiving?) and made ready to head out in the morning bound for Oceanside.

Nov 30th: Underway at 0815. No wind. Motoring with no sails up. It didn't take long after clearing Dana Point Harbor for the dolphins, and many many more of their friends to greet Shakedown. At 0850, at least 50 of them showed up en masse to play around the boat for about 10 minutes before moving on. Was quite exciting to see that much sea life at once. Rest of the trip was uneventful, and we arrived in Oceanside about 1245 and tied up to the “Jolly Roger” dock at 1302. Walked to the Harbor Office to pay for a two-night stay (since the rates were the most reasonable so far this trip). We didn't want to push on to San Diego with a Sunday arrival, and the extra day will be wisely used to find a place to watch the 49ers play tomorrow. We got some good information, map and directions from Mike at the Harbor Office, so we continued on and finally found the small grocery store he suggested. We purchased some food stuffs and walked back to the harbor. Stopped into a “sports bar” called Tony's, had a beer and asked if they would be showing the 49ers game tomorrow. The response was affirmative, so that's our plan. We should arrive at 11 a.m. In order to get a seat. Game time is 1330. We got back to Shakedown just after sunset. Had dinner, watched a bit of TV and went to bed.

Dec 1st: Awoke at 0530 thinking about getting the Blog updated, so got up at 0615, had a couple cups of coffee, sat down and started in on it. We showered before nine and waited for brother Vern to show up from Poway to join us watching football over at Tony's Sports Bar and Grill. We walked the mile or so and got seats. Then when a few folks left their seats at the bar, we grabbed them for better view and seat backs. Got lunch and liquid refreshments. Watched the 49ers beat the Rams. Walked back to Shakedown while the sun was dropping below the western horizon. Vern got into his car and drove back to Poway, we went below, turned on lights, heat, and sat down. We'll get up early and head to Mission Bay for an overnight in the anchorage there.