Trip to Catalina Island September 2019

[Alec A]

As I know that many Midwest, Upper Midwest, and Northeast Formula owners are nearing the end of their season, please allow me to share a 28 minute video from a trip that I made to Catalina Island this month. It's my first attempt at a long video. What was best for me is that it was the first really long trip in my 2015 350 CBR in which I got to use all the toys---radar, navigation with way points, rolling road, etc. Some of you may ask why I have a suitcase Honda generator. I didn't order my boat with a generator since we anticipated that we'd rarely be on the hook. Also, I know many fellow boaters who have had nothing but problems with their gen sets. So for me, it's easier to take along the generator when I will need a/c power. It was pretty cool making this long trip. And, family and friends who live elsewhere in the country were able to track my trip progress as i have an AIS transceiver on my boat. Nevertheless, enjoy the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0LSUfQ_AGc&t=153s

 

[FormulatCT]

Excellent, thanks for sharing. Your Formula moves along the water nicely!!!

 

[Alec A]

Excellent, thanks for sharing. Your Formula moves along the water nicely!!!

Thanks a lot. Coming home going south from Dana Point to San Diego i was able to run a little faster due to the direction of the swell and better conditions of less wind.

 

[FastMarkA]

Very fun trip -- have crossed to Avalon several times back when I lived in Southern California.

When I had my 350CBR on Lake Michigan, I'd do several "long hauls" directly across the lake, and I also enjoyed playing "pilot" during those voyages.

The longest crossing shown here was 115 miles non-stop. The goal was to make Ludington, MI from Chicago (about 170 miles, or pretty much max range with safe fuel reserve), but Mama Nature decided to kick up the waves so we diverted to White Lake, MI for some rest, and that decision is very visible on the track.

 

[Alec A]

Very fun trip -- have crossed to Avalon several times back when I lived in Southern California.

When I had my 350CBR on Lake Michigan, I'd do several "long hauls" directly across the lake, and I also enjoyed playing "pilot" during those voyages.

The longest crossing shown here was 115 miles non-stop. The goal was to make Ludington, MI from Chicago (about 170 miles, or pretty much max range with safe fuel reserve), but Mama Nature decided to kick up the waves so we diverted to White Lake, MI for some rest, and that decision is very visible on the track.

View attachment 9898

Mark: It certainly was like playing pilot. Get the chart plotter spooled up, follow heading to the waypoint, and if the current would push you slightly off the centerline of the "rolling road," just touch 'turn' and resume on the autopilot and you're back on track. All I was really required to do was continue to monitor gauges and watch for obstructions in the water----kelp near Point Loma (and I have learned to not 'cut the corner' too early at Point Loma) or watch for sailboats and fishing boats. Out in the open ocean, I try to go in front of fishing boats which are trolling lines so as to not interfere with the lines in the water and behind sailboats to make an easier wake for them to experience.

 

[FastMarkA]

if the current would push you slightly off the centerline of the "rolling road," just touch 'turn' and resume on the autopilot and you're back on track.

Were you just using Auto Heading?

My Formula had the GPS connected to the Joystick Pilot system, so using the "Track Waypoint" button meant the boat would continually head to the waypoint, irrespective of the influence of current or waves.

I have a Simrad Autopilot right now, and quite honestly it's rubbish compared to the Mercury JPS (and I rarely say nice things about Mercury/MerCruiser!). But they made some significant investment in their piloting technology and I appreciated it.

 

[Alec A]

Yes, I was using the Auto Heading and i do have the Joystick as well. It was my first time using the Auto Heading since all my previous boating was on a river or mostly in the bay and I didn't need to go from waypoint to waypoint.