I made this exact same trip back in 1981 only with a 16 foot 85 HP runabout.
Woke up one morning in San Diego and had a space cadet moment and convinced my wife that we should go to Catalina. Took out a California Highway map and drew a line with a protractor and grabbed off a course.
Launched out of Newport Beach on a beautiful day with the boat full of gas, an inflatible life raft, sleeping bags, cooler of food, Hibachi, case of Budweiser and most importantly, a US Navy Survival Radio, PRC-90 I think. Figured I would be in a lot of hot water if I used the radio, but better hot water than dead. I was a Lieutenant Commander stationed at NAS Miramar at the time.
Lost all contact with land either direction after only 30 minutes. It was a mil bowl sort of day and we spent 4 and 1/2 hours sloshing down Budweisers while gaily watching a wet compass swing back and forth 45 degrees and averaging it out for my protractor course off the California Highway map. Never saw anyone else. With a bit of concern, and not enough gas to get back to the California coast, I was beginning to wonder about things when I saw a faint horizon of an island appear through the milk bowl haze. I continued on for another half hour and went right into the middle of Avalon Bay. Some sort of miracle from some sort of mystical devince guidance or something.
Tied up in Avalon Bay, got the water taxi, hit the bars, had a great time. Repeated the same thing the next day with the boat refilled. Figured I could not miss the coast of California.
Some thoughts. Be smart, not rather stupid like us. GPS and lots of batteries. Two way radio and/or cell phones and lots of batteries. File a trip plan with friends and keep in touch as to your progress. Go when the weather is great and forecast to stay that way forever, especially nice if you also have lots of visibility. Think of survival situations and carry lots of water and leave the booze behind or consume it after you get on land.
Have a great trip!
