We tried to round Point Agua on the southern end of San Nicholas island yesterday (Thursday) morning but met really heavy wind and sea conditions. Thinking that the forecasted-for-later, heavy winds had come early we opted to go find an anchorage on the southern coast of San Nicholas rather than struggle against the prevailing conditions.

We checked out 2 of the anchorages listed in our cruising guide for the area. Number 1 was worthless for anything other than a lunch stop on a calm day; number 2 was more tenable, albeit that it was fringed at its south eastern entrance by a small reef and had a ravine in the cliffs facing the anchorage that would likely be a source of strong katabatic winds.

We put down the Mantus primary anchor and 150 feet of chain, about the max we could allowing for swing. Within an hour or two, after building winds, we decided to put out a second anchor off the bow. We had to dig out the various anchor and rode components and deploy the dinghy and outboard, whereafter Neil and Kev drove the anchor across to its dropping point while Scott paid out the rode from Galatea. We put ourselves on an anchor watch schedule overnight as the wind blasts built to strong gale force, 40 knot levels. 

It is now noon, Friday and we are still weathering the onslaught, praying that the anchor set-up continues to hold. The latest wind forecast suggests a possible, moderate break in wind levels tomorrow and then back to heavy winds on Sunday/Monday. We will be monitoring conditions here at the anchorage and could be here for several more days.

All I can say is thank goodness I have 2 seasoned sailors and wonderful friends in Kev and Scott to support me in this rather tense situation.

More to come.

Neil

- S/V Galatea