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Part 3: The cofounder of Nordhavn has cruised all over the world, yet his favorite destination is but 26 miles from his company's home.
By Matt Trulio — Spring 2006
RIGHT ON TARGET
True to their Southern California roots, Leishman and his sons, James and Eric, love scuba diving and fishing. And some of the best of both-at least off Southern California-are at San Clemente Island. The run southwest from Avalon to San Clemente is less than 30 miles, and if the conditions are good, the Leishmans will go for it.
"You do have to be a bit careful. When there are small-craft advisories between Catalina and Dana Point, there might be gale warnings between Catalina and San Clemente," Leishman says. "The weather has been so benign in the last few years. I can't think of a day we were at Catalina when it would have been more than slightly uncomfortable to run to San Clemente.
"But there is the issue of naval bombardment," he adds, referring to U.S. military target practice that sometimes takes place on San Clemente. "When they're doing exercises, they'll close off sections of water around the island."
Leishman's top spot to visit at San Clemente is called Fishhook, and it's on the leeward side of the island. Named for its shape, Fishhook is a sand spit that, with a little careful maneuvering can be tucked behind for a "perfectly flat" anchorage, even on a blustery day.
Yet if good anchorage, rather than diving and fishing, is Leishman's primary goal, he tends to stick to the leeward side of Catalina. (At least there he and Sue can legally hit the beach without the fear of stumbling across live munitions.) His first stop likely will be Ripper Cove, where he'll set anchor and take Sue and their two Chihuahuas to the beach. "It's a really beautiful, secluded little beach," he says. "But it tends to be a little too bumpy to spend the night there."
Leishman's top overnight choices, Cherry Cove and Fourth of July Cove, are just up from The Isthmus, which has a small harbor, stores, and a restaurant called Harbor Reef. "The restaurant has a great outdoor barbecue, and on summer nights there's a DJ," Leishman says. "It's only a half-mile in the dinghy from Cherry or Fourth of July Cove to The Isthmus, and those coves have better protection from the wind."
Next to all the places around the world where Leishman has cruised, Catalina seems too simple. And yet that's just the attraction for this world cruiser. For him, Catalina is home. And there's nothing sweeter.
"I wouldn't trade Catalina Island for the entire Chesapeake Bay," he says eagerly. "I love it."
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