Californian- san Diego maritime

[TiogaCruiser]

I know this isn't a cruise line, but has anyone taken any of the cruise trip on the tall ship Californian with san Diego maritime museum?

 

I am I interested in your experiences as am considering the trip to catalina island.

 

Thanks

 

~TC

[foxesden1]

I live in San Diego and would love to hear more about it!

[TiogaCruiser]

It's a four night trip ( one in July and the other in October). They're bringing kayaks. Everyone pitches in for KP and clean up and some basic sailing. More details on their SDM website. I think there's still space if you are interested.

[foxesden1]

Cool!

[SailorJM]

I'm in San Diego, too, and will be most interested in a review. Tall-ship cruising is my favorite, as I guess you can tell....

[TiogaCruiser]

Okay- when we get back I'll post a review!

[TiogaCruiser]

Review of Californian Sail for Cruise Critic

The trip: This is a review of a rather unusual trip that is offered by San Diego Maritime Museum on one of their wooden tall ships, “The Californian.” It is not anywhere near the “typical” cruise discussed on these forums, and in many ways is closer to a camping trip than a cruise. For some of us, it’s the ultimate weekend trip. You see, all persons on the ship are considered either “Museum Crew” or “Guest Crew” and sailing this ship is a participatory sport. We all knew this in advance and signed an agreement that we understood this. The trip left San Diego on Friday, July 22 and returned late Monday July 25th with our destination being Catalina Island. The trip was mainly about the ship. The Californian is a reproduction of a Revenue Cutter which sailed the Californian waters in the mid 19th Century. She was built in 1984 and is the State Tall Ship of California. This ship is 110 feet long and carries 8 sails and a marine engine in case the wind does not cooperate.

 

We sailed with a crew of 29: 12 from the museum and 17 “guest” crew. Everyone worked as it takes a lot of “hands” to sail a tall ship. We started with a Man Overboard drill, fire drill and abandon ship drill where we all learned our roles if these events were to occur. We would be depending on each other for the next several days as well as living in close quarters. Then as we set sail, we all learned how to haul the lines and how to respond to the commands given by the leaders. We were divided into 3 watches; 4:00 -8:00; 8:00-12:00; 12:00-4:00. (If you notice, there is no AM or PM designation there.) Watches ran as needed and we began the first evening after dinner. Prior to dinner, everyone got wheel time as we would all be driving as part of our watch duties. Those who passed the physical tests were able to go aloft or out on the jibboom. To go out onto the jibboom one had to be able to hang from both hands 5 seconds, then one hand for five seconds, recover, hang from the other hand, and recover. To go aloft, in addition to the previous test one had to do a full chin up.

 

Accommodations: There were about 14 of us sharing the main saloon which measured about 24 feet x 20 feet. Each had a bunk 24” wide by 6’ long. We brought our own sleeping bag and were allowed to bring a duffle bag small enough to fit into the space above half a bunk. Meals were made by the galley cook and served on two long picnic tables in the center of the saloon. The food was excellent, home-style and there was lots of it. They kept a red light on throughout the night so that as we rose for our watch or if we had to go on deck in the dark our night vision was preserved. We shared a marine head and observed marine head etiquette (only waste, no toilet paper, in the head). We had some electricity for ships functions and limited ability to re-charge batteries if needed when the generator was running.

 

Entertainment: We had brought a stack of two-man kayaks and a guide. The plan was to kayak in the morning and sail in the afternoon. We were free to go ashore while docked in Avalon. There were some board games and someone brought cards.

 

The trip: We left San Diego in the early afternoon and sailed for several hours in the lively winds. Then captain started the engine and we headed toward the island. The distance is about 85 nautical miles. We watched the sun slip below the horizon and we even saw a green flash! Evening watch took up their posts after dinner at 8:00p and we kept watch until midnight. We all looked out for other boats and communicated our sightings to the cockpit if it appeared that we would need to alter course. We had a tremendously large car carrier leave San Diego behind us and pass us on port. At some point we had clear skies and you could see the dipper through the rigging. It was very cool. It was hard to stay awake the final hour but somehow I did and our relief came up from below a little early. Sleep was comfortable as the ship rocked and we could hear the water and other “shippy” sounds.

 

Dawn found us in Two Harbors where the real crew set the anchor. It was interesting watching them get it over the deck and into the water using the ship’s Burton. We put the kayaks over the side and paddled along the coast. There were numerous caves we paddled into and backed out of. One even had two openings and a high enough ceiling that we paddled through. Very cool. The kayaks we used were two-man open style.

 

After lunch we weighed anchor. This was a not a small task and involved all hands on deck to haul lines for the sails and the anchor. Four people manned the windlass (which was operated by pumping up and down like a rail hand car). Everyone was involved in the project. The anchor and chain proved to be in a stubborn mood and it took some work on everyone’s part to bring it back on deck. Along with it came several sea creatures (mostly brittle start) which were promptly returned overboard. After raising the sails, we headed toward Avalon. Those who had passed the respective tests were allowed to go aloft or out on the jibboom. As I had only passed part of the test I could only go out on the jibboom, which was an exhilarating experience. Looking down, you could see the beautiful blue/green water of the Pacific, with Catalina to starboard. The wind was fresh and swooped through the jibs.

 

On arriving in Avalon we docked to a mooring which our Captain was able to reserve. Those who wanted were able to go ashore. After dinner we played a board game and enjoyed the stars. Some of the Museum Crew sang sea shanties. Someone had an iPad with Starwalk. At some point those above called us up to watch a feeding frenzy going on. It was likely seals or sea lions thrashing about our starboard side. While we were moored the crew split anchor watch so we were able to sleep through the night as only one person was needed.

 

Sunday we went paddling around Avalon in the morning. The area was still beautiful but more crowded and there was no lack of jet skis and other motor craft in the area. The water was quite clear and we were able to spot Garibaldi and numerous other fish in the kelp beds. In the afternoon the regular crew set up a tendering system and those who wanted to go to shore were able to either catch the ship’s tender or hop on the water taxi. Many opted for a shower at one of the public shower houses. Some went hiking and many walked the shops and got ice cream or a beer. The crew held an “open ship” for those who wanted to come aboard for a visit. Those who took up the offer had to provide their own transport to the ship and the water taxi driver was very accommodating. After dinner those who wanted to go to the movies went in to town. Our captain and crew determined the direction we would be firing based on the best expected echo. Then Captain called the Harbor Master to let him know we would be firing our gun at sundown. The reported answer was “okay…. Will it be loud?” Well………..

A very few minutes before sundown the water taxi driver stopped by to see if anyone wanted to go to town just after we had opened the gunport and put it “business end” through the hole. It was powdered and ready to go….. Poor guy didn’t notice at first, but when he did, his eyes were as big as saucers and he high tailed it out!

 

Captain announced we would be releasing the mooring and setting the sails at 4:00am. All museum crew would have to be on deck and anyone else who wanted to was invited to join in. First watch would then commence their duties after sail away. About half of the guest crew joined in and it did not take long. I went back to bed to catch a few more hours of sleep before we had to be up for breakfast and then our watch which started at 8:00am. The watches ran through the day and we had a pleasant return to San Diego. We cleaned up and packed while not on watch, then enjoyed the sailing and the sea. Most of the way we were motoring due to low winds. As is tradition, we fired the guns in salute to Star of India as we approached the dock. It took about an hour to put Californian to bed. For those who were allowed aloft, they had one more trip up. Those of us who were allowed on the jibboom had jibs to furl. All too soon the trip ended.

 

This has got to be one of my favorite mini-vacations. Yes, it was tiring, but it was also very relaxing. I’m working toward being able to do a few chin ups and looking forward to sailing again in the future on Californian.

[SailorJM]

What a fun report! I've lived in San Diego for decades and never knew about this opportunity. Of course, I knew about the ship...she is beautiful! It's grand that she still sails, if only twice a year. Thank you for the report!

[TiogaCruiser]

She actually does daysails on selected dates and the crew said she goes to the Channel Islands and coast on a trip separate from the Catalina trips. I could not find a current link, itinerary or price for that trip.

[jjfromsd]

Thanks for the review! A very enjoyable read as I was able to visualize your experience. Sure looked like a lot of fun.

[SailorJM]

Thanks, TiogaCruiser, for the tip about half day sailings on the Californian. I went to the San Diego Maritime Museum Assn. website and found how to buy tickets, and I'm going to do so!

 

direct link for the half-day tickets:

http://www.sdmaritime.org/adventure-sail/

[TiogaCruiser]

Californian is leading the tall shop parade on Thirsday before labor day and as of yesterday tickets were still available.

[foxesden1]

Wonderful!!!! Any photos????

[TiogaCruiser]

I'll post a link later this week.

[TiogaCruiser]

Here's a link to some of the photos and videos of our trip: