launch areas in souther california

I am considering purchasing an 18 sx. i live in the malibu hills area of southern california. i was wondering if there are local launch ramps in certain beaches since going to ventura or down to marina del rey is too far. also, was wondering what sailing is like in this area for the hobiecat 18sx and am i purchasing the right boat? it is a 2001. also, how do i establish the price the seller wants for it? is the Nada sales book accurate for hobiecat products?

Thanks,

Zev Beckerman

I can address only one of your questions, is the 18SX the right boat? You'll need to give us a lot more information about your sailing skills, number of people you want to take, how much you want to spend, do you want to join class racing, and why you want a catamaran and this one in particular.

Marina Del Ray and Ventura are the closest launch ramps to where you are, however Topanga is supposed to allow beach launching (and storage???). The beach is a bit rocky, but if you have a set of cat trax there is a sandy section south of where you would off load your boat that you could walk it to launch. It's definitely on my list for when I get a set of beach wheels.

Also on my list is to attempt to launch from Tranacas beach. It's a popular put in for the kayaking crowd and kite surfers. It's actually accessible from the Zuma Beach parking lot. If you enter the parking lot and drive all the way to the end there is an opening in the concrete barriers wide enough back our trailers through and more than adequate parking. I have never seen anyone launch from there and I'm not entirely sure of the legality, but they do have kayaks and windsurfers there, so it's seems like it should be okay.

Both of these are beach launches, which means you will have waves to contend with, and they can get big sometimes. Even the smaller one can be dangerous both going in and coming out if your inexperienced. That being said, launch ramps present their own share of dangers (unawares power boaters and the wind at your back as you approach a concrete launch ramp). I would definitely recommend that you check the surf report before going out.

Hope this helps, and if anyone decides to go out and wants company, definitely let me know via email.

Matt