Seatle-San Fransisco sailtrip/What to expect?

[laforge24]

Hello Captains and Bon vivants
we are planning a trip from seatle down to san fransisco and further,
the first part seems to be nonstop !
Anyone familiar with this section, thanks

[Paul L]

When do you plan to go? What type boat?

[Stu Jackson]

Cruising the Northwest Coast - A book by George Benson

Scroll down and open the Cruise Narratives. Doesn't have to be nonstop.

[cruisincanucks]

We have done it on a Peterson 35 with just a couple on board. We stopped along the way and did no more then 2 overnights. Weather and time of year should be your main consideration.

[laforge24]

thanks already
we're planning to leave seatle mid-september, we would be sailing a 35ft
wauquiez,
thought there was a lot off difficulties with entering harbours in that area?
any info always helpfull, ta

[laforge24]

Pretty new on this forum, thanks
but cannot find 'cruise narratives' or anything
talking 'bout this trip, help me out pleas...

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

Cruising the Northwest Coast - A book by George Benson

Scroll down and open the Cruise Narratives. Doesn't have to be nonstop.

[Paul L]

I've done the trip south bound 5 times now, leaving from mid-Aug to mid-Sept. I prefer to plan to leave earlier, rather than latter in that range. The problem with leaving in mid-Sept is the possible delays. It doesn't take much to have a two week equipment delay or a a couple of 1 week weather delays. Put those together and you are now starting to deal with fall weather, instead of summer weather. There are a number of good places to break up the passage to SF, including Newport, Crescent City, Eureka, Drakes Bay.
As far as how to travel on each leg, we wing it. Get out to Neah Bay and wait for some decent NW wind. Then sail it out. When it dies off, motor till you feel like its time to plan on making port. If you leave Neah Bay and point at Cape Mendicino, you won't get too far off shore, so heading into a port won't be 100 mile run in. Since you are off to go cruising, enjoy the trip down. On most trips you will get spanked at one of the capes in southern OR or northern Cal. Typically gusting 20 kts over what the weather gurus predicted.

[laforge24]

thanks paul,
what was the average time you needed to do the trip?

[Paul L]

Laforge
Typically its been 3 legs of 2 days each, plus a few days of weather waiting. But you never know. You could get out and get a great 5 day NW blow all the way down. Never happened for me. Drakes Bay is worth a stop and an explore before you get to SF Bay. There's a lot in the Bay to explore too.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by laforge24

Pretty new on this forum, thanks
but cannot find 'cruise narratives' or anything
talking 'bout this trip, help me out pleas...

Like the first reference suggested: scroll down and you'll see a BOX. It says: Teal's Cruise Narratives. Click on the box.

[Capt Phil]

Made the trip several dozen times both ways on deliveries and only time I avoided was late November until March. Had a few rough passages, mostly headed north but nothing I couldn't duck out of or outrun.
Coming south, I head out the Straits about 35 miles to the edge of the Swiftsure Bank, turn left and end up missing the worst of the cape winds and putting me on course for SF Bay between the Farollones and Stintson Beach. Don't come to close to the mainland otherwise you will have to deal with the Potato Patch that shallows on the northern entrance to SF Bay.
It's all down hill and you should be fine at the time of year you are leaving. If in doubt about your weather forecasting skills and understanding weather buoy info, engage a weather router to guide you around the worst of the weather problems. Cheers, Capt Phil

[laforge24]

Well I must be thick Stu
Or I have a different layout page
caus down below I cannot find a box that says : Teal's Cruise Narratives.
some stuff bout early retired(too late) and the Forum Jump
no other box here???

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by laforge24

Well I must be thick Stu
Or I have a different layout page
caus down below I cannot find a box that says : Teal's Cruise Narratives.
some stuff bout early retired(too late) and the Forum Jump
no other box here???

Maybe it's your browser.

Try this: Cruising the Northwest Coast - A book by George Benson

[Capt Phil]

Hi, Stu... I met George about 20 years ago in Victoria at the dock in front of the Empress Hotel. Recognized him from his picture. He was talking about writing a book and didn't know he had got on with the project until you mentioned it. Fun guy to yarn with... we talked about commercial fishing, towing logs and barges and beachcombing in the PNW in the early days. His writings are a good primer for coastal cruising. Capt Phil

[roverhi]

Near the top of the page there is a link to leave the Cruising Sailors Website. Click on that and it will take you to the Benson Site.

Have read George's book several times when I was planning on going north from SF. I reccomend buying the book just for the read. Always thought the Northern California Coast was bereft of anchorages except for the few commercial harbors. George proves that wrong. Also his perspective is from a small sailboat, not playing restaurant/harbor on the right from a big power boat.

Fortunately or unfortunately, ended up in Hawaii instead.