[quote=coleinthetube]Gene--I was anchored in Mariner's Bay, that was the place they directed us to. Basically they told us if we wanted to do this at all, that was the only place we were allowed. The ramp was the big one, at the south end of the whole Mission Bay Area, (can't remember the launch name), but they have a couple of shops right there and a large overflow parking area. The rule in 2014 was overnight parking free for 72 hours. Which I think is totally awesome for those of us who just want an adventure on a low budget. We ended up ordering pizza by cell phone on the sand the next day, and then loaded up and left late afternoon.
Bill--I appreciate your help on this, you probably don't remember it but I wrote you back in 2013 asking about this and it took me four years to muster. Had a float plan filed (as much as they cared to record it), and the vest radio ready to go, but I really really didn't want to have to use it. I still wonder what I must have looked like plodding along at 8kts when that Hobie 18 with the father and son flew by me out of Avalon, not enough to call out to them though. It was my mess, I had to see it through lol. And as far as the return voyage, I think I was just weighing my risks and saying if anything happened on the return, I'd be stuck out there for awhile, and that would put me in late on [I]Saturday[/I] night, rather than Sunday night before work the next day. I was right about myself too; when I got back I shared a couple drinks with friends and regaled them with my tale, but I was wired all the way until about 1am or so. It felt nice telling everyone about it, like unloading it all before bed.
Catfan--def a great quote. 90% of the friends I told about this do not sail, and as self deprecating as I remained throughout the story, they kept saying "But DUDE you did it!" I just kept thinking man, what would they have done in that beach surge in the dark, having just clamored uptake wind so far all day long only to be greeted with that whole other episode of unforgiving obstacles, with no one coming to help? I was gassed; my back was completely depleted of energy to lift the boat up the sand. Seeing the rocks on the way in, and hearing them beat up the hulls I felt exactly like that quote; it was literally the last place I wanted to be.
All in all, probably the riskiest thing I've done by myself. Wont do it again, but I'm glad I tried, and made it. :-D[/quote]
