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Learn to Sail with Capt. Dan |
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Platts Harbor, Santa Cruz Island
Wide openPlatts Harbor does not offer much protection. It's clear from the Google Earth picture that the swell comes straight into the anchorage. We were there on a calm day, in fact, we'd motored much of the day so felt fairly confident that our night would be restful. We initially backed in and set our anchors so that we were perpendicular to the beach. Even with the small swell that day, we got pretty uncomfortable. Besides a bad angle, we didn't veer out enough chain in our first attempt. More below about the ensuing maneuvers.
ApproachIt's pretty straight ahead, just stay west of the visible rocks on the east side of the anchorage and anchor in 20 feet or more and you'll clear all hazards.
How we did it, specifically
It's supposed to be easy, but it wasn't pretty After a bad initial set, we hauled up our bow anchor and veered out more stern rode - 350'+ on a Fortress - as we reestablished ourselves parallel to the cliff to the west of the beach. The stern anchor was in 20' of water, the bow anchor was in about 25' of water. We settled in with about 160 of rode forward - all chain - 130' aft. That felt really solid and we went off to play in our kayaks. If you're going in that close, check the tide tables carefully. If you've got a fairly up-to-date chart plotter, that information is right at hand. If you're not so equipped, use the link at the top of the page to get tide data, print it and take it with you ... particularly if it is a new or full moon. Going Ashore
We did not have a permit so did not go ashore, but we did get close enough to see that in these conditions, landing would not be a problem. The beach itself is well protected, even if the anchorage is not. There is a sign on the beach that cautioned hikers to stay close to the water as the pig eradication program was still underway. That should be finished soon - or maybe already - but check the Nature Conservancy site to get a permit and to find out how far you can safely hike from the beach. HazardsNone that aren't charted or visible. UpdatesIf you have new or amplifying information concerning this anchorage or the surrounding area, please contact Capt. Dan. His e-mail link and phone are below.
More on jellies and other sea life at Monterey Bay Aquarium
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It took two attempts to get anchored properly. The left picture was attempt #1. We found ourselves with insufficient rode to the stern and, stupidly, beam-to to the swell. The picture looks good, but the reality was not. Attempt #2 put us parallel to the beach, which seems odd, but now we were bow to the swell.
