EP 3 - Taking my Catalina 30 HOME & my first time Sailing

Hi my name is Andy and at this point in our sailboat journey I am a very new sailor. I have never driven a boat and I don't know how to sail yet but I need to get the Catalina 30 sailboat that we found and purchased home...
In this episode you see my first passage EVER from Dana Point to Long Beach. We jump around in the footage a bit and do a little boat work then go SAILING for the FIRST TIME EVER. After we do some horrible tacks we run into a serious problem when the (you'll have to watch) fails.
THANK YOU FOR WATCHING! LMK WHAT I DID WRONG!
RELATED VIDEOS:
EP1 - HOW WE GOT A $3500 SAILBOAT - • EP 1 - How we got a $3...
EP2 - FIXING UP OUR $3500 SAILBOAT - • EP 2 - Fixing up our $...
EP3 - WATCH ABOVE 👆
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[@das564]

Not bad for a first try! If you're going to use just one sail, the main might be a better choice. First, it self-tacks, so it's one less thing to worry about. Second, with just the main up, the boat should have some weather helm - that means she'll have a tendency to turn up into the wind. This is a safe thing if you get in trouble, because she'll put herself in irons and stop moving. With just the genoa, she'll likely have some lee helm - if you take your hand off the wheel, she'll turn downwind and possibly do an unintended jibe. When you do start hoisting both sails, consider reefing the main and keeping the genoa partially rolled up until you're comfortable maneuvering under sail. Good luck!

[@sailingsole]

Thanks again for the advice D. Cheers!

[@JohnSchneidersWildLife]

Such great advice and description...thank you. I am in the exact same position as Andy was in this video. I am going to take your advice!

[@RickGarzaGuitar]

Fun to see complete newbies out there figuring it out in the safety of the breakwater. Looking forward to the next one.

[@sailingsole]

Thanks Rick I had to just go for it. I figured as long as I keep a level head and don’t go out in too much wind we’d be alright. 👊🏼

[@benrandomly2016]

Good job. Consider reinstalling your old winches back about two or three feet behind the new ones. As you learn and develop your sail plan, you can use those winches for a spinnaker, gennaker, drifter, or code zero while also using the jib or genoa. Well, the spinnaker or gennaker probably won't use them with a jib or genoa, but possibly with a code zero. Keep at it and you'll be off the engine in no time.

[@sailingsole]

Yeah I have considered that but I also like the space to step there so I’m undecided. Same for the cabin top, I have a new Lewmar winch to install on the port side similar to the main sheet winch but I like the foothold here as well. Just trying not to drill holes where I might regret it. Thanks for the tips though! Cheers!

[@martyspargur5281]

Anytime you're under power, set the main. Under power, the flatter it is the better. Been delivering boats for over 50 years, and always power with first reef to flatten the main. I am pretty impressed by your natural ocean sense.

[@sailingsole]

Thanks Marty. I was told before we left to put up the main’sl, that it would help steady us and make the passage more comfortable but I knew nothing at that point and was too scared. 😂 Putting in the first reef is a great suggestion as well. Thanks. It’s been about two years since I filmed that so I am a much better sailor now but still and likely always will be a rookie. If you ever need someone to help deliver a boat on a longer passage give me a buzz. I’d love to be crew.

[@michaellosey984]

Just about sea miles, the more you get the less you will be a rookie. Loving it, pushing yourself through fear, being safety oriented, all combine to eventual make you an old salt.

[@diskotroop1545]

Another fun video and I think you have the makings of another great sailing channel. Hopefully you'll be able to get a windscreen for your microphone. I had a similar experience recently harbor hopping from Wilmington to Santa Barbara. There was zero wind on the last leg from MDR to SB and we motored the whole way (grueling). We left before sunrise and got in at night, but I knew right where I was going and so it was easy to find my slip, pull right in, tie off and hop in an Uber back to MDR for our vehicles.

[@sailingsole]

Thanks Disko, means a lot. This is old footage and my new footage certainly looks and sounds better. Hopefully you can dredge through 😂

[@patrickfalter4487]

Love it, raw video no bs. I know when I hoist the sails on my boat it will be a bit emotional. Going through life changes, the sea is the only place I find peace, anyways thanks again .

[@sailingsole]

Thanks for watching Patrick. The sea is a great place to find peace and be truly alone if that’s what you need. Been there many times. Get them sails up! Take care! 👊🏼

[@JohnSchneidersWildLife]

I'm curious how you're doing Patrick. You mentioned life changes and this comment was a year ago...hope you are well.

[@patrickfalter4487]

Doing well John, thanks for asking. My life change was a second divorce, followed by my mother needing caretaking. Things are going well though. My sister retired and took over for me so I'm back to work. In the middle of building a new place by myself. Launching my sailboat in a couple of months so all is well. I hope your good as well, again thanks for the thought :)

[@user-vs4hd8cl3e]

I bet! I had a similar experience when I bought a CS 30 in Toronto and needed to sail it to it's home port. Picked it up with a friend and was motoring along quite content when my body, an old salt, told me to raise the sails or else! Had a lot of fun on that boat. At one point moved to Ireland to run the tech and data centres for the Bank of Ireland, well I strapped her to the deck of a ship and moved her to Dubiln. Sailing on Dublin Bay quite an adventure with some of the biggest tides in the world and 4 seasons on any given day. What a great adventure sailing is, congratulations for starting this journey.

[@sailingsole]

Hi there! What’s your name? Thanks for the comment and words of encouragement. It’s been a heck of a ride so far and I’m loving all that comes with it. I hope to get to sail Celtic and North Sea someday. That seems like another world from here. Cheers to you! - Andy

[@michaellosey984]

@@sailingsole Michael….Fell in love with sailing dinghies at 13, first keel boat was a Tanzer 22, then a CS 30, then a CS 36 blue water beauty. After that my wife exercised female spousal veto on sailing at least with her involved and we got a dog, whom I named affectionately “Dream Killer”. Sold the 36 named Wayward Sun, have since crewed and skippered bare-boats all over (Italy, BVI, St. Lucia/St.Vincent/Grenadines). I still have a Laser. I managed to get my coastal yacht master ticket (theory) when I was in Ireland, that helped a lot with tidal issues etc. If you can, even though you are gaining experience with your Catalina 30 and I am sure pushing your limits, see if you can take some dinghy lessons in a Laser or similar. Gives you a completely different sense of the wind and how to use it, very useful as you develop your keel boat skills.

[@michaellosey984]

And lots of fun too….

[@abrahamtupe3083]

Lol. I literally just bought a 27 foot sailboat for the same price with no experience. I'll be sailing for the first time this weekend. I guess we are "in the same boat." Thanks for sharing.

[@sailingsole]

Right on Abraham. I’m happy for you and your new adventures. Keep in touch and if you want to chat, hit me up on Instagram. Cheers! 🤙🏼

[@merrianneflint1722]

Sure would like to adopt those orphaned winches if they still need a home! 26’ Columbia mkII SV Thirsty Horus DANA POINT. Love the vids! Keep it coming. -Jason & Mert

[@sailingsole]

Thanks Jason. Ha, I’m keeping the winches and may use them as secondaries. You know, it’s nice to have spares too. Cheers! 👊🏼

[@brendanmurphy33]

Great episode! Loved it.

[@sailingsole]

Thanks Brenden. Cheers bro!

[@natasharae4440]

hey mate, if it's in the budget definitely think about a boom bag stack pack with lazy jacks, I've got a cat 30 here in Sydney and it's a game changer if you need to get the main down quickly. It falls into the bag and drops the power considerably, then gives you time to sort it out at anchor or on a mooring, stopping the main sail flapping and potentially hanging over the side. Great videos!

[@sailingsole]

That’s an awesome suggestion! I did just that and it was indeed a game changer. You must’ve missed my other video showing my stack pack and lazy jacks. Check it out kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnTHp5R_p9qgZq8 Thanks for watching! Cheers!

[@Tiger_Luv]

Must be such an amazing experience ⚓️

[@sailingsole]

You have no idea! It’s the best!

[@farmerbrown633]

awesome boys u did well first time!!!

[@sailingsole]

Thanks Brownie! Much appreciated. I love your name!

[@britishcomedybroncorothschild]

Cool. Honesty.

[@sailingsole]

Thank you! It’s fun to share. Cheers!

[@naps3386]

You didn't sail around with the fenders still out...good job!

[@sailingsole]

😂😂😂

[@michaellosey984]

With sails up, less rocky…..you go with the wind and the waves generally…..

[@sailingsole]

Thanks. I didn’t want to then but that was three years ago so…. Yeah…

[@eyefly82russellm80]

That's one of the same boats i learned on as well.

[@sailingsole]

I love my C30!!!

[@waltobringer2928]

Somehow I picture my first time being similar lol

[@sailingsole]

😂

[@Riderhook01]

Going to Long Beach, sounds liken n Expensive Marina isnt it ? :-)

[@sailingsole]

LB is right in the middle. Some other local marinas are way more expensive like Newport Beach and others are far cheaper like Newmarks in Wilmington. I like the vibe in LB and it’s a fair price.

[@waltobringer2928]

I've done motors but never sails. I don't think it will be long.

[@sailingsole]

What do you mean? Long before you start sailing? DO IT! It’s very gratifying.

[@nigelleef3159]

Loved the music. Please the artist??

[@sailingsole]

Hi there. There’s a few songs in that video; what part did you like?

[@ericmeyers4046]

Great video I have a 76 catilina 30 hull #203. It’s fun to see your boat same as mine. Do you have gas or diesel? You have a great boat get auto pilot then you really sail solo

[@sailingsole]

Thanks Eric. I have a Yanmar 2GM-20 diesel. These videos are behind in real time so eventually I’ll post a video of installing my new Raymarine autopilot. I’ve been setting her up for solo sailing 👍🏼

[@sailingsole]

Btw, mine is hull #1232

[@ericmeyers4046]

My boat came with a atomic 4 gas motor. Also my boat is tiller driven and I have a ice melter where you have drawers. In my experience you need to put your table down when under way. It’s really heavy and it will break the wood It sits in on the wall. I keep mine down all the time, I made cushions to cover it and we keep the cooler under it. I look forward to your next video. I’m in Ohio so I’m on the hard for the winter sailing thru utube

[@sailingsole]

@@ericmeyers4046 Right on Eric. I love hearing from a sister ship. There’s a C27 across my gangway that has an Atomic 4. Pretty sure mine used to have one as well. Cheers!

[@ericmeyers4046]

Andy just watched your new video.Wow you have come a long way. The boat looks great. Here is a docking trick I use. I keep a circular line for my break. Put it over the winch. The boat stops and leave it in gear the boat will stay on the dock Till you get your bow lines on. Turn off the diesel put on your spring and stern lines . I keep the line on the end dock post With a fender on the middle dock post. Looking forward to seeing your next video.

[@tonyrhoton6613]

Drop the sails and put a big block chevy in it and roll out

[@sailingsole]

That’s my goal! 👍🏼😎

[@tonyrhoton6613]

Thats funny tks. 4 laugh

[@alansmollen]

Wear life jackets….please

[@sailingsole]

Copy that and thank you sir. 👍🏼

[@MrLawman82]

Love the videos. I'm gonna check out the auctions too. Can you give a hint of what the slip fees are in Long Beach? If I get an auction boat, I imagine I'll need a slip for awhile til she's ready. Thanks.

[@sailingsole]

If you buy the boat from Shoreline marina or Alamitos Bay at an auction then you cannot put it at a slip in LB. I’m going to make a video to explain the details real soon. Cheers!

[@sailingsole]

…and THANKS for watching! 😁