Beach Sailing in California

I have a Hobie 16 and live in phoenix. I'm planning on visiting the Newport Beach area and was wondering how difficult it is to get the boat out onto the beach. Are there beach rules for cats? What are the best locations to launch? Is there a website showing were prople typically sail? I hate to drag it all the way over and not get to use it.
Thanks
Steve

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skennedy
2003 Tiger

I'm not familiar with the Newport area but there are places in Long Beach, Dana Point and San Diego to launch, not all off the beach through the waves though, mostly into the bays and harbors.

Look at the "Places To Sail" topic on the main page of the forums or here's a link to the page:

http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=10532

That should give you an idea of places to launch from in SoCal.

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Greg Thomas
Hobie Factory Team

If you go about 20 miles north to Long Beach you can launch from the beach. Otherwise, you'll have to use a ramp in Newport or Dana Point.
Have fun!

What are the best ramp locations in Newport?
Thanks Steve

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skennedy
2003 Tiger

The only ramp I know of is Newport Dunes.
http://www.newportdunes.com/RV_Park_Pag ... aunch.html
I've never used it and I don't know if you can get under the bridge at High tide. It would be a good Idea to call first and check the tide charts.
I always launch from Dana Point about 30 minutes south.
http://www.danapointharbor.com/Embarcadero.html
It's a short run to the Ocean.

Here's Your Options....

Newport Dunes Launch Ramp: Good luck there. The launch ramp is behind a 20ft bridge. On the other side the ocean. Problem is Bridge is about 20ft high off the water. Your mast is 26 27 feet. Gotta tip the boat to get onto the otherside which is a pain. Plus you still have to sail all the way thru newport backbay which is very skinny and alot of wind blockage from cliffs and houses

Dana Point Harbor. About 20mins south of Newport: This is my homespot. Very short sail (about 100yds) from launch ramp into ocean. Only problem is the prevailing winds make it pretty hard to get into the ocean. Wind is usually coming straight from the mouth of the harbor. Another badside is dana point gets really light wind in comparison to areas north and south of it

Long Beach: About 20mins north of newport: Probably your best spot. Has great consistent wind. And theres about 3 different launch ramps. 2 ramps into san pedro bay and there is one beach for launching cats. Straight into the ocean and thru the surf if there is any. BadSide: Very dirty and very crowded. Your sailing in the port of longbeach. A massive port. Got supertankers cruising past you all the time. Its a crazy feeling


Good Luck and Happy Sailing

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1971 H16 (sail #1768)

To all of you on the Hobie Forum... I love you guys!!!
thanks for all the help!

Hey Sarge, you been getting around, I see?

Long Beach launch (Claremont ramp) is a nice launch. The breakwater jetty keeps surf almost non existent. Yes, a bit muddy, the water is, but a quick sail past the inlet brings you to Seal Beach. Nice.

I used to hate Newport Beach with it's holier than thou yachters and clueless Duffy Electric boat renters, but now that I have gotten good with my boat, they don't bother me and it's a big, impressive harbor. If conditions are good, you can sail down to Crystal Cove and Emerald Bay. Both worthy destinations.

The Newport female rowing team down there at the Aquatic Center is worthy to behold and makes the launch worth it for me. Yowza what a nice group of hardbody lookers. Pleasant and friendly as well.

I can launch my WAVE there, but you guys with trailers are SOL.

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"HOBIE....
Say it LOUD and there's music playing...
Say it SOFT and it's almost like praying.....
I just sailed my WAVE out the Marina !"
West Coast Story