2026-02-04 - Catalina Island by Catamaran: Why Excess is Perfect for Southern California Cruising

Twenty-Six Miles Across the Sea

That's how far Catalina Island sits from the Southern California coast—close enough for a day sail, but far enough to feel like a genuine escape. I've made the crossing dozens of times aboard various vessels, but there's something particularly satisfying about pointing an Excess catamaran toward that distinctive profile on the horizon.

The crossing from Marina del Rey or Long Beach to Catalina reveals what these boats do well: maintain comfortable speed in varied conditions while providing a stable platform for crew and gear. On a recent April crossing aboard an Excess 13, we covered the distance in just under four hours, averaging 7.8 knots in 12-15 knots of breeze. The boat felt composed the entire time, guests lounging comfortably on the forward cockpit, coffee staying in mugs instead of laps.

This is what performance cruising means in practice—getting places efficiently without sacrificing comfort.

The Channel Islands Challenge

Before we dive into Catalina specifically, let's talk about why Southern California waters make excellent proving grounds for any cruising boat. The Channel Islands create a unique microclimate where conditions can shift dramatically:

You might launch from glassy marina waters at dawn, encounter building seas by mid-morning as wind fills in, and finish the day anchored in a protected cove. This variety tests a boat's versatility, and Excess catamarans handle it with grace.

Why Catamarans Work for Catalina

Catalina's anchorages range from spacious to snug, and moorings are the default for most visitors. This is where catamaran design advantages shine:

Shallow Draft: Most Excess models draw around 4 feet, allowing access to Catalina's shallower anchorages and close-to-shore positioning when pickings are slim during high season.

Stability at Anchor: That wide beam isn't just for interior space—it translates to rock-solid stability. No more rolling around at anchor in beam seas. Your first morning at Catalina, waking up to calm coffee instead of grabbing handholds, converts most skeptics.

Living Space: Catalina weekends often mean hosting friends or family. The Excess layout makes it actually enjoyable rather than merely tolerable. Multiple social zones mean people aren't constantly in each other's way.

Boarding Ease: Getting the dinghy in and out, helping less agile crew aboard, moving gear—the low freeboard and transom steps of an Excess make all this easier than higher-sided monohulls.

The Anchorages: An Excess Perspective

Let's walk through Catalina's primary anchorages and how an Excess catamaran fits into each:

Two Harbors / Isthmus Cove

The classic Catalina destination. The mooring field here fills quickly on summer weekends, but the anchorage outside offers room for boats that prefer the hook over a mooring ball.

An Excess 13 or 14 can tuck into areas that might feel tight for larger catamarans while still providing more space than equivalently-priced monohulls. The protection from prevailing winds is excellent, making this ideal for newer catamaran owners still developing their anchoring confidence.

The shore boats run regularly if you're on a mooring, but with your dinghy on the Excess's davits, you have freedom to explore on your own schedule. We've found the best beach access early morning before day-trippers arrive—just you, the seals, and that distinctive California island light.

Emerald Bay

Smaller and more intimate than Two Harbors, Emerald Bay shows off that California Chrome coastline that photographers love. The anchorage has limited swing room, but the Excess's precise handling under power makes setting the anchor easier than it might first appear.

This is where the Excess 11 particularly shines—nimble enough for tighter spaces while still offering genuine cruising capability. I've watched skippers anchor here aboard 40+ foot monohulls, and the stress is visible. On an Excess 11, you have enough maneuverability to reset if needed without drama.

Cherry Cove

Less visited than the marquee anchorages, Cherry Cove offers genuine solitude if you time it right. The hike up to our campground is moderately strenuous but rewards with panoramic views.

The anchorage is exposed to wind shifts, so proper scope matters. The Excess's generous anchor platform and clear sight lines from the helm make managing ground tackle straightforward. Plus, that stable platform means you're not fighting the boat while handling chain and anchor.

Avalon

The main town offers mooring field options and shore-side services. During Avalon visits, the Excess shines as a mobile apartment—shore excursions during the day, return to your comfortable floating home for evening relaxation rather than cramped hotel rooms.

The casino building makes a striking landmark return target after shore exploration. Just monitor the surge that can develop in certain conditions—the Excess's catamaran configuration handles it well, but keeping awareness matters.

Organized Flotillas and Self-Guided Trips

Whether you opt for an organized flotilla or a self-guided adventure, Catalina offers the perfect stage for experiencing what an Excess catamaran can do. Our Naos partner offers trips departing from Marina del Rey, with weekend or week-long adventures that provide a low-pressure way to test the boats and meet other sailors before deciding on a purchase.

What makes these flotillas special isn't just the boats—it's the community. You're sailing alongside other prospective owners, current Excess enthusiasts, and experienced skippers who can answer questions based on real experience rather than sales pitches. Evening raft-ups become impromptu wisdom-sharing sessions, where someone's solution to optimal solar configuration or favorite anchor technique gets passed around.

Beyond Catalina: The Channel Islands

Once you're comfortable with the Catalina run, the door opens to the entire Channel Islands chain. Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel—each offers increasingly remote and challenging cruising. The Excess range proves equally capable:

Santa Cruz Island (60 miles from Marina del Rey): Weekend trips become feasible. The Excess's sailing performance means you're spending time exploring rather than just traveling.

Channel Islands National Park: The Excess 13 or 14 provides the range and capability for extended exploration of this remarkable marine wilderness.

Return Passages: Coming back from the islands typically means bashing into afternoon westerlies. The Excess's bridgedeck clearance and hull design minimize slamming, making these passages more comfortable than many comparable cats.

Real-World Considerations

Let's be honest about some practical aspects of cruising Southern California waters aboard a catamaran:

Marinas and Costs: Yes, catamaran slips cost more than monohull equivalents. Marina del Rey, Long Beach, and similar major marinas can accommodate catamarans, but you'll pay premium rates. Budget accordingly or consider shared slip arrangements with other catamaran owners.

Docking: The Excess's twin engines provide excellent control, but wind can catch that big profile. Practice your docking in light conditions before attempting a tight slip in 15 knots of beam wind. Most owners become proficient quickly—the learning curve is real but not insurmountable.

Social Dynamics: Catamaran ownership in Southern California still draws attention. Expect questions at every stop, dock-walking curious sailors, and occasional monohull-vs-multihull debates. Most of it's friendly curiosity and good-natured ribbing.

Planning Your Catalina Adventure

If you're interested in exploring Catalina aboard an Excess—whether through an organized flotilla or your own adventure—here's a realistic timeline for planning your trip:

Three Months Before: Reserve moorings if you're traveling during high season (May-September). Moorings book up, especially at Two Harbors on summer weekends.

One Month Before: Provision and plan meals. The Excess's galley and refrigeration make this easier than smaller boats, but planning still matters.

Two Weeks Before: Check systems, especially if the boat has been sitting. Run the engines, test the electronics, verify dinghy gear is functional.

Week Of: Monitor weather. Spring and fall can bring strong winds and unfavorable sea states. Summer's typically stable, but occasional Santa Ana wind events create challenging conditions.

Day Before: Final provisioning, secure loose items, brief crew on safety procedures.

The Complete Experience

On my last Catalina crossing aboard an Excess 13, we had three other boats in our informal flotilla. Leaving Marina del Rey at sunrise, the marine layer created that classic Southern California atmospheric effect—grey overhead, smooth seas, the sense of transitioning between worlds as the coastline faded astern.

By mid-morning the sun broke through, wind filled in from the northwest, and we shut down one engine to sail. The Excess happily maintained 7+ knots, helm balanced, crew dispersed across the boat's various seating areas. Someone made sandwiches in the galley while others gathered on the forward cockpit to watch for dolphins.

Catalina's profile grew from a smudge on the horizon to a detailed presence. We picked up a mooring at Two Harbors, spent the afternoon beach-combing and kayaking, and gathered that evening across three boats rafted together for sunset drinks and shared stories.

This is what these boats enable—not just transportation, but genuine experience. The sailing matters, the comfort matters, the communal aspect matters. Excess catamarans deliver on all three.

Your Catalina Story Starts Here

Whether you're ready to purchase an Excess catamaran or still in the research phase, we encourage exploring Catalina aboard these boats. The 26-mile crossing offers a perfect introduction to what performance cruising means in practice. Reach out to us to discuss how an Excess might fit your cruising plans. We're happy to share detailed information about Southern California cruising grounds, realistic ownership costs, and what living with these boats actually entails.

Catalina's been drawing sailors from the mainland for generations. There's good reason—it's accessible, beautiful, and offers that sense of adventure that makes sailing worthwhile. An Excess catamaran just makes the experience more comfortable, more efficient, and more shareable with the people who matter to you.

Fair winds, and maybe we'll see you in an anchorage this season.

— The Sail Pacific Team