San Diego & SoCal Fishing Forums

Hello all.

I have a 1989 Larson Contempra 300. Two recently rebuilt Mercruiser 5.0L Engines. 440hp total. Gas. 150 gallon tank.

I will be making daily trips to Shelter Island from Mission bay.

I have only ever taken her out in the Mission Bay area. Never outside the channel.

I have a few questions:

1) What is that trip like?
2) Is it doable daily?
3) Anything to avoid? I've heard of the Point Loma kelp beds.
4) Recommended cruising speed?
5) Typical length of time it takes?

And any other tips, tricks, or advice you have would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

Cruising speed depends on how much fuel you’re ok with burning. Definitely no problem daily. Again depends on your disposable funds for fuel.

Only tip I have is swing wide to the whistler buoy going into SD bay. It seems really far out but if you’re unfamiliar with that turn and where the kelp is, just use it. A lot of small craft try and cut the inside leaving north or coming in from north. That kelp will bite you.

If you don’t have a chart plotter, go get a chart from west marine, they have laminated single pages. Get familiar with that turn and the kelp line.

If you’re running the coast, always carry a good anchor and rode just incase you break down or have trouble. You don’t have much drift time as you would off shore.