I figure TL will help here, but this is up for anyone familiar with the Bay. Any problem with cruising around in a 18 ft boat? I realize weather would play a part.
Any problems launching? Would it be a problem getting down there on, say a Friday night, sleeping in the truck, then launching in the morning?? Any preferences on ramps???
Is Mission Bay where they have some of the Navy ships anchored as in mothballed?? Just would like to see some kinda up close. I know you can't get too close to em.

Sounds like a cool place for a meet up.. I've seen some places to beach the boat. Is that day use only.??
Anyone want to get something together?? This year, maybe next??

I'm sure troop will chime in with more info. I'll give you what I know.

Mission Bay is actually just north of San Diego Bay. SDB is where you will see more of the Navy activity.
18'r is no problem in MB. It is protected waters. Might get a bit choppy in area's but not too bad.

On a calm day you would be able to go from MB to SDB.

There are several ramps in MB, some of which are free. Launching is easy. I don't know if they allow overnight parking, but there is a place called Campland On The Bay where you can sleep in your truck and they have a launch.

There are websites that give info on the ramps. You can probably google Mission Bay Launch Ramp. Sorry, don't have time to look them up for you now.

I know TL and SF75 have met up there. I like going to MB, but havn't with my current boat.

No Navy presence in Mission Bay, they are all in San Diego Bay.
Easy launch at the Visitor Center, at Clairemont right off the I-5.

Be aware that a LOT of Mission Bay is 5mph zone and they do patrol it and will cite you for speeding. You need to get a map at the visitor center to see the areas that allow skiing and faster boating.

Nice area to boat in but the Bay has more to see.

Almost forgot, no overnight parking in Mission Bay lots.

So troop is this your back yard. I reason I chimed in is after a great Catalina trip I am thinking about a fishing trip south-west of San Diego in the spring. If this is your area I'll search for post about the area. Biggest question that comes to mind is coming back into port after being out, do you have to pretend you are entering the USA for the first time and wait for paper work clearance and If I understand correctly there is no fuel available offshore for boaters at the islands due to military, correct. As I get going on the plans I will have more questions I am sure.

If you go southwest of SD you will need a Mexico permit AND a Mexico fishing license. Permit is $47/year, not sure what the license is.

If you look at a chart the Mex/US border is not a straight line, it is easy to get into Mexican waters and not know it. Then you will have the border Patrol/Customs boats stopping you on the way back in. They are pretty good about tracking you and knowing where you have been.

Check a chart to see where you need permits or to avoid...

I've never had to check into the Harbor station when coming back in yet.

I bet they are!

Hey guys called home land security / customs yesterday and they quoted some regulation about pleasure crafts remaining feet wet and not coming into contact with foreign boats or land, allow's for you to return to USA with out any check in. I would have to declare any fish to game and fish. I did explain about wanting to go to the Coronado islands and they said that was fine. I am glad it's that easy, but that's a little scary that you can get back into the states so easy.

You will need to get that $47 Mexico permit to travel around the Coronados, or risk having the Federales impound your boat...

Thanks troop, I have the permit and fishing license already,from earlier in the year) I knew about them already, it was hard to figure how to come home and what I would need. It's true if there is one pole, net, spear on board all must have fishing license's. I have been reading and I think they did away with the permit and raised the fishing license in June to make it easier. This is the first step to learning how to do this myself in the spring. It only took 3 years to get myself and boat ready for Catalina. Know that I have deep water expertise (LOL) I will be visiting you area 2 or 3 times a year due to my buddy, who normally pays big money for fishing trips and it's cheaper and funner on my boat. We did 150 miles total @ Catalina on one tank and I carried 20 gallons with me and still had fuel to spare.

Let me know if you are going to be in the area, if I can I will see you off at the ramp.

fishntoss - Shelter Island on SD Bay is the ramp Troop introduced us to. Take the I5 fwy to Rosecrans west and a long street drive to Shelter Island Blvd. Take a left and when you hit water, you are there. Easy access to the open sea if conditions are right (follow the whale watching boats, you might get lucky like we did).

Take a left into the bay if the weather is not cooperating. We have gone under the Coronado bridge and seen a lot of cool military stuff (Navy SEALs being recovered out of the bay, neat and weird boats, helicopters and jets, etc). Just watch out for the BIG wakes that follow their boats. I learned this after about a 4' freefall from the top of one of the tug boat wakes.


http://www.sdboating.com/ramps.htm

The Mission Bay ramp we used was De Anza cove. Exit Claremont and it is right there. Like Troop said, a lot of no wake areas to get to the open sea. The family seemed to enjoy our SD Bay trips more than Mission Bay.


Have fun.

Semper Fi 75

Thanks for the info on San Diego areas, including Mexican waters.

Sounds like I'll want to go to San Diego Bay. Would really like to see the Navy ships. Have always liked seeing them, especially from the water. It's been years since I have been near one. Now that I have a boat, I think it would be cool to see em from the water. I realize you can't get real close, but that's what binoculars are for.

Pop's was in the Navy back in the day. Was a Pearl Harbor survivor even. . Luckily for him(and us kids) he didn't have much longer to serve since he went in some time before the war started. He was released, I believe, about a year after Pearl. Being the only son, it was a little easier to get to go home.

Anyways, yea, think I'll have to make some plans to get down to San Diego in the near future. Probably won't be til after the New Year. If I can swing it, I'll try for November..

Again, thanks for the info..

tom