[CINC] Characteristics of the SB Channel

[Ron Dreher]

Windy Gulch 


Bob Kieding 






 


 


 

July 23, 2008 7:34 AM

Most of us think of the coast of California running from north to south, but
it really doesn't. It actually runs in a north-westerly to south-easterly
direction. You can have fun with your friends betting that Reno, Nevada, is
further west than Santa Barbara. You will win. Reno's longitude is 119
degrees 47 minutes West and Santa Barbara's is 119 degrees 41 minutes West.

But what happens 45 miles north of Santa Barbara at rugged Point Conception
is surprising to many, and results in the phenomena of Windy Gulch as well
as Santa Barbara's unique Mediterranean climate. At Point Conception the
coast turns from south easterly to almost west to east. When you look
straight out to sea from Santa Barbara, you are looking towards the South
Pole!

There are generally strong winds, high seas and frequent dense fog at Point
Conception with the historic result of numerous shipwrecks and the area's
well-earned reputation as "The Graveyard of the Pacific." But with the coast
then turning dramatically towards the east, these winds and seas don't bend
as sharply as the turn of the coastline and therefore run down the outer
Santa Barbara Channel, leaving Santa Barbara itself sheltered from the
prevailing high winds and seas of the upper coast.

The Santa Barbara Channel is approximately 22 miles wide from the mainland
to the four islands that border the channel. From east to west, these are
San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, and Anacapa. Point Conception's high
winds and seas run down the outer channel waters in an eight to ten mile
band along the islands. This harsh stretch has justifiably earned the name
of "Windy Gulch," and has been a major challenge to mariners since the
Chumash first landed on the islands.

The conditions in Windy Gulch can be very uncomfortable for recreational
sized boats, and some sizes and designs should not attempt the passage. At
peak conditions, the waves can reach substantial heights, but their
steepness is even more challenging. But with a properly designed and
outfitted boat, there are a number of ways to make successful and relatively
comfortable crossings.

First, Windy Gulch is not always rough. You can check weather reports with
the Santa Barbara Harbormaster's office or on the Internet to determine what
conditions are at Point Conception and at the channel weather buoys, along
with the forecast for the next few days. You may find that the channel is
mild and not of concern. If the winds are up, you can make an early morning
departure and arrive at the islands before the afternoon winds peak. I
frequently leave about five in the morning for an easy crossing and a full
first day at the islands. The trip over on a sailboat is close to the wind,
but the return is generally a reach and a fun sail in high winds.

Since the Windy Gulch conditions generally begin about 10 to 12 miles from
Santa Barbara Harbor, the first part of the crossing is usually quite
comfortable. You can reduce the impact of the Gulch by making your initial
course more towards Point Conception, and then ease off easterly when you
reach the large seas and winds. This results in your boat meeting the steep
seas at a more comfortable angle. With a GPS navigator, it is relatively
easy to follow a curved course to the islands and end up exactly where you
planned. If yours is a sailboat, you can have a great power reach with sails
eased and the impact of seas much diminished.

Further down the channel, Windy Gulch winds and seas lessen. San Miguel is
almost opposite Point Conception, and it therefore takes the full force of
the point's winds, seas, and fog. At the other end of the channel, Anacapa
experiences considerably less impact, but its waters can still be plenty
rough at times. I strongly recommend careful planning if San Miguel is you
destination. It is a great place to visit, anchor, fish, surf, hike, and
more, but it's more enjoyable in clear weather.

The return to Santa Barbara is an easier trip because the direction of the
wind and waves is further aft. Turning more easterly for a few miles
diminishes their impact. Then turn back towards Santa Barbara for a pleasant
voyage home.

But by all means, visit the Channel Islands. They are one of the most unique
areas of the world, and just a few miles from Santa Barbara. If you are not
a boater, there are several charter services that can take visitors,
kayakers, and fishermen to the islands. These are sizable vessels with
professional captains and crews that know our waters well. Too many Santa
Barbarans spend a lifetime here without ever seeing the true wonders of our
Channel Islands.

-- SEA TERMS:

-- Longitude - A measure of relative position east or west on the Earth's
surface, given in degrees from a certain meridian, usually the prime
meridian at Greenwich, England, which has a longitude of 8 degrees The
distance of a degree of longitude is about 69 statute miles or 60 nautical
miles (111 km) at the equator, decreasing to zero at the poles. Longitude
and latitude are the coordinates used to identify any point on the Earth's
surface. Latitude is used to identify a position north or south of the
equator on Earth's surface. Units can be decimal or in degrees, minutes, and
seconds.

-- Web Weather - www.weather.gov/om/marine/home.htm - then click on "Los
Angeles" and then click the area of interest on the map.


 

-- Sheet - A controlling line to a sail; 13th Century from old English
"skeatline" and possibly also from Old Norse "skaut."

-- Close to the wind - A point of sailing on which the sheets are tightened
all the way in so the boat can sail near to the direction of the wind.

-- Reach - A point of sailing on which the sheets are eased, roughly with
the wind abeam (toward the side of the boat); 17th Century from Anglo-Saxon
"raecen" reach.

-- Power reach - Adjusting the sails and helm on the reach to maximize speed
from wind and waves.

-- GPS - Global Positioning System - Locates position on Earth within a few
feet using input from satellites.

Bob Kieding began boating as a young boy at Santa Barbara in 1948. He has
been a sail racing skipper, yacht maintenance professional, professional
yacht skipper, a ships chandler, and is now a professional yacht broker. His
column runs on Wednesdays. Opinions in the column are Mr. Kieding's and not
necessarily those of the newspaper. Send news tips, questions, or topics you
would like covered to bkieding at chandlery.com.

 

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