Your most favourite getaway?

Screw Sailing Twin screws only I learned from my Catalina adventure lol

... or at least a backup motor just in case. It's true, I can't sail for shit. What happened on your adventure?

@KingofPizza: Well ....I will always remember my first and only time on a sailing vessel crossing the Catalina Passage in California… which was consequently my one and only visit to the island. I was living aboard my Fathers 34 foot sail rig in Redondo at the time , and he periodically showed up and we would get to know the boat. One early afternoon , he asked me how I would feel about spending the night over at the island. “Sure , I would like to see it , I’m up for a crossing.” And with that we headed to the Grocery Store , and made the arrangements.It was a sunny day when we started over about 3 or so in the afternoon , slow going , but I had a sense of adventure. Kind of like I was sailing to the Isle of Dr. Moreau or something. I sat on the stern watching for sea life , and wishing I was trolling to see just what lurks those Deep Blue waters. However about half way there , out of land sight , I began to have feelings of feeding the fish in a different manner. It wasn’t necessarily the sea, as I had been in worse on powerboats many times before. But something about the slow motion , quiet , and bobbing made me lose my lunch. I learned that day , focus on the Horizon line , not the swells , as it will scramble you up like eggs. Feeling better , we made slow but steady progress at 10- 12 knots and made the dock launch about 7 that evening . Just enough daylight to see the clear water reveal shapes of black on the sea floor 20 ft below. We buoy anchored and the launch took us to shore to stretch our legs , and we went back to the boat where we grilled , relaxed , and went to sleep. Nothing like the gentle rocking of the tides , and sail bell to make one see never land. The next day we awoke and made way on a Southerly course for Avalon , not to dock , but to come about. The stone sides of the island looked like something out of a book , with the white capped outcroppings and gulls. Enough to make a young man’s imagination think. It was a pleasant afternoon. “ Prepare to come about!” shouted my Father in proper Naval Manner , as we changed course toward Palos Verdes and the big out crop that separates it from San Pedro. With course changed , and the sky a tad grey , I decided it was about nap time. About an Hour later , I was awoken from my slumber being thrown onto the floor and hit with silver ware. What in the H…? I scrambled up top to see the swells at a staggering 10 - 13 feet , the bow disappearing each drop , and My Old Man at the wheel looking like a frightened Captain Bligh. “ Batten the hatch and come help me steer .” I knew this could be trouble. So I quickly took my learned place on the ropes. As I did we heard a giant pop 10 minutes later as the hard rain fell. The mast had snapped missing me by about 5 feet , and worse , landed on the down sea side acting like a sea anchor threatening to capsize the boat. No land in sight. As I lashed the wheel with cord , according to instruction , my Father crawled around like a four legged frog , from cutting the cables with a fire hatchet . After a brief time of terror we were past obstacle number one. Then somewhere just as light was failing and the sea turning black , as we neared just seeing the outcrop , Our little Johnson motor failed . We struggled to bow into the waves as we bobbed like a mast less cork. I struggled to keep the bow into the waves as my Father worked with fever on the small motor.In about ….15 minutes we by some small gift had the motor going , and it was dark as we limped toward Redondo . Then the motor started to sputter again . Still a good 40 miles from shore. That’s when my Father calmly walked below , did not tell me where he was going , and re appeared with a VHF radio . “ Attention , Long Beach Coast guard . This is our approximate position , explaining the situation , we may need assistance.” After the third relay , the scanner crackled to life . “ Acknowledged , we will have helo rescue on immediate standby , please notify.” We informed them we were limping into Redondo. Finally as the sea subsided some , and the lights of the Power plant came into view , we were relaxing , when we were over flown at light by Air / Sea rescue . They had come to check on us. Even though we didn’t need them then ……I felt good knowing those folks were there.As we docked into King Harbor about 11 pm or so , My Father offered to take me to dinner , and as I literally kissed the dock I happily accepted. No more Gilligan’s Island for me…from now on Power boats , twin screws and wide beams!!To this day , my Father doesn’t talk about it much , and when we do , he simply says , “Kevin , you don’t know how close we both came.” Yes , I do , I remember I had a few silent prayers that day , but we both never panicked , and it was the day …..we made it through. Sometimes , when technology fails , and there is no instant rescue , you must dig deep , to something past. The days of wooden ships , and Iron men.

Holy shit... you weren't kidding about that being an adventure. And yeah I get how you'd be off of sails now, definitely. Cutting the cables with the hatchet really is a page out of old school wooden ships. Glad you made it through all that!

@KingofPizza: Not a vest aboard and what wasnt mentioned in the story was the two sweethearts my Father suggested we bring along for a nice relaxing weekend of sun and fun aboard the vessel Lol talk about a damper on a date :) Thx brother

@KingofPizza: But even still it never discouraged me from my love of the deep blue sea

@ReaperofTime: Oh my... yes I imagine they didn't enjoy that at all. Especially if they weren't sailors and just expecting a fun boat ride...