Catalina Express

[Keith.M]

So after looking at the info on the Catalina Express web site, it seems a diver could actually bring 3 bags. Don't know why you would want to...

For people that regularly take this, do you usually buy your tickets directly from them, or are there any deals to be found?

 

[akivisuals]

Both LivingSocial and Groupon both had deals with the Catalina Flyer out of Newport Beach for $35. and $37. respectively but that deal just ended. Thinking about getting the Catalina Flyer annual pass for $300. though. Seems like a great deal if you want to dive Casino Point on a regular basis.

 

[geoff w]

I've got the small Stanley wheeled tool box, like the one in the foreground of the picture, and I can get my steel backplate and everything for diving wet in at 50 lbs except tank and weights. A HP80 will fit inside so you can lock everything up. The latches will rust as you watch. I replaced the latches with stainless hasps, and the pins in back with a single long thin stainless rod, so it's relatively rust proof. At Casino Point, I also use it as a bench to sit on!

It does get heavy if you have to lug it all the way from the terminal to the Casino, but I use the luggage service (and tip well since it is so heavy). I also mounted tank straps to the top and use the tank weight to sort of counter balance the box. I was looking at the smaller 24" version (Lowes has them, Home Depot no longer carries them) to see if that would get me under the 50# limit.

Here is what they look like (Photo stolen from another member)

 

[akivisuals]

I've got the small Stanley wheeled tool box, like the one in the foreground of the picture, and I can get my steel backplate and everything for diving wet in at 50 lbs except tank and weights. A HP80 will fit inside so you can lock everything up. The latches will rust as you watch. I replaced the latches with stainless hasps, and the pins in back with a single long thin stainless rod, so it's relatively rust proof. At Casino Point, I also use it as a bench to sit on!

Oooh.... Got pics? And a link to where you got the hasps and stainless rod?

 

[geoff w]

... For people that regularly take this, do you usually buy your tickets directly from them, or are there any deals to be found?

Some Costco stores have Catalina Express gift cards, $100 value for $80. The only downside is you can't use the AAA $7.50 discount coupon with it since they consider it to already be discounted, but they will honor the "senior" fare (55 or older) for $6.50 off round trip. You have to make a reservation over the phone with the Costco gift card and pay at the ticket counter when you get there; you can't use it online

---------- Post added October 24th, 2014 at 04:57 PM ----------

Oooh.... Got pics? And a link to where you got the hasps and stainless rod?

I'll post pictures when I can. West Marine sometimes has hasps. I also used this: New 316 Stainless Steel LOCKABLE HOLD DOWN CLAMP (their customer service sucks)

I got the stainless rod from a marine supply store that's now out of business. I think if you take one of the hinges to a welding supply place, they can probably match the diameter. For a long one-piece "pin" to use as a continuous hinge instead of the two questionable metal ones, it's hard to shove all the way through. I eventually threw it in the freezer overnight to try to make it a little smaller to go all the way through from one end to another

 

[merxlin]

We were on the 6:15am and they weighed any larger luggage or dive boxes. I was prepared though and had another bag inside it that I could pull out and make them both under 50 lbs. Decided to use the luggage service so left them as two pieces, otherwise I could have loaded them back together and taken them to the dive park. I did load the small bag into the dive box on the way back since they do not weigh them coming back (like that makes sense).

 

[SKMoss]

Weighing at Long Beach and San Pedro seems pretty spotty.

I keep my weight bag and wet suit bag strapped to the top of my box. It's not the larger stanly, but works well. If they are weighing, I just pop the straps off pick up the bags and I'm all set.

copied from the CE web site

[h=4]Baggage Guidelines Per Person[/h]

• Two Pieces of Baggage
• 50 lbs. Maximum Each Bag
• 23”x23”x37” Maximum Bag Dimension
• One Carry-On to be Stowed at the Seat

[h=4]Special Luggage Information[/h]Please read this special baggage information before booking.
Accommodations for Scuba Divers Include: One additional equipment bag 23”x23”x37”; 50 lbs. maximum. And 1 recreational dive tank or one double with fixed manifold as well as one weight belt or weight bag which is carried on board or worn by passenger and is not inside the luggage. Returning suits that return wet are not an issue and will be permitted aboard.

 

[fnfalman]

I didn't really do a study but it seems to me that Cat Express only weighs the bags if they were going onto the boats that have convenyor belts taking the bags down into the storage compartment located in the belly of the boat (whatever the heck that means in nautical terms).

On the boats where you can drop your gears off either at the fantail or in the walk-in storage area, I don't recall having the bags being weighed.

 

[merxlin]

The boat from Long Beach to Avalon is almost always the cats and they have been weighing them for the "big boats". They do not weigh coming back from Avalon (yet) and said they would make allowances for wet gear since it is heavier.

I understand if they have to handle them, but they don't on roller boxes. You roll them on and roll them off. They only have to handle them if for some reason they need to get to a bag that is behind your big ol' box, but that is rare. Also, you are allowed 2 bags (50# each), versus 1 which would seem to take up more room, so obviously the issue is the handling. 70# used to be the limit at UPS and the airlines, now it's 50#. Maybe we just need stronger crew members.

 

[drbill]

As Merxlin said, they weigh bags at the Long Beach terminal and departires from there are almost entirely on the catamarans where the crew doesn't have to touch the bags.

I just hope they don't start weighing the passengers!