Basic Cruising 1
Website and Video Link Resources - click on the URL to view
VHF radio channel frequencies, their purpose and use
https://www.boatsafe.com/us-vhf-marine-radio-channels-frequencies/
Note that channel 16 is the hailing and distress frequency, and most communications begin here. After hailing on 16, switch to one of the non-commercial channels: 68, 69, 71, 72, 78A.
Weather – NOAA Marine Point Forecast
https://www.weather.gov/marine/point
Zoom in on the map to the area of interest, and get a marine forecast for just that point. Note that the larger zone in which your point resides has a different forecast – see below.
Weather – NOAA Coastal/Great Lakes Forecasts by Zone - West - Los Angeles, CA
https://www.weather.gov/marine/loxmz
This is the portal that allows you to see the various zones in the southern California bight and their individual forecasts. This is essential for passage planning from one point to another, as conditions tend to get progressively stronger as you head in to the northwest portion, toward the Northern Channel Islands and Point Conception.
NOAA Tide Predictions
https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/tide_predictions.html
Find West Coast on the left, then click on California, scroll down to San Pedro Channel, and click on Newport Bay Entrance, Corona del Mar. From there, select the date ranges you are looking for. Why is this important? There are several places in the harbor where we can run aground on a “minus” tide, and I’d rather not do that. Also, maximum current flow is in the 3rd and 4th hours after high or low tide, and it’s good to know which way the flow is going so you are not so surprised and can take this into account when returning to the dock.
Fun Videos from OCC Trips:
40+ Knots in the northern Channel Islands
From the 2007 trip in October. A minute and a half of smokin’ downwind in a gale under a reefed headsail alone.
Betty Flies a Spinnaker to Coches Prietos
From the October 2016 Northern Channel Islands trip. Flying a spinnaker from Forney's Cove on Santa Cruz Island to Coches Prietos cove. Up to 8.8 knots of boat speed. That was fun!
Betty in the Windy Lane
From the May 2015 NCI trip. A brief glimpse of the possibilities.
Betty in the Northern Channel Islands
From the October 2015 NCI tip. Good Stuff.