Channel Island Conditions

[Adventure Traveler]

Looking at taking a day trip on the Spectre and checked out wind and waves for weekend. What would you consider decent conditions? 10-15 knot winds and under 5 ft swells seems ok. Any opinion on the threshold between good and dont go?

 

[fnfalman]

When the boat captain cancels the trip...that's probably a no-go situation.

 

[drbill]

Makes a big difference which of the eight Channel Islands your boat is heading towards. There are substantial differences from one end of the northern chain to the other, between the northern four and southern four, and between the inner southern island (Catalina) and outer ones.

 

[merxlin]

Wind will probably be the determining factor this weekend. From NOAA for the northern islands:

Tonight...W winds 20 to 30 kt with gusts to 40 kt in the evening...becoming NW 15 to 25 kt with gusts to 35 kt. Combined seas 7 to 9 ft dominant period 7 seconds. Patchy fog after midnight.

Sat...W winds 10 to 20 kt with local gusts to 25 kt. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 4 to 6 ft at 7 seconds.

We had a close to shore trip (oil rigs) cancelled for Saturday because of the wind warning. Looks like it lays down for Sunday and Monday. And a 4-6 ft swell at 9 seconds is no fun either!

 

[Leejnd]

We were supposed to leave early this morning on our own boat to spend 4 days out at Santa Cruz Is. But that was a no-go...gale-force winds out there. Not looking much better for tomorrow either, although we're keeping our options open.

 

[merxlin]

On the other hand, Monday should be great and I'll be at Catalina- I'll report back.

 

[fnfalman]

The Great Escape had to cancel the Santa Barbara Island trip for Saturday. However, the Sundiver Express is going out on Monday and I'm going to be on it, so not all is lost.