Sailing from the P.N.W. to Mexico.

[uncle stinkybob]

Originally Posted by RedHerring

With civil war in Yemen and Syria, milk run is not such a milk run nowadays.

About the offshore route.

That's the only way I've done it myself, and yeah we had a couple of days of running under storm job alone, which was a lot of fun more than anything else. But every person with an actual experience of both options that I have asked about this choice told me to go offshore. FWIW, the following reasons were given: (a) no traffic, (b) smoother swell off Oregon coast (that has a pretty wide shelf), (c) much less fog, (d) staying far away from what can become a dangerous lee shore with no refuge for tens of miles, (e) takes less time under sail.

Obviously, either way is doable, so whatever works.

Thats a lot of what I remember off Oregon coast when commercial fishing. The closer in, the worse we got hammerd when it did come up. 200 -500 miles out was not so bad, unless something nasty stirred up unexpectedly, slow old trollers, but damn stable with the stab's deployed.

[ebbn36]

Sailed Port Townsend to San Francisco Sep 13th to 23rd singlehanded non-stop off-shore 120-150 miles. Leaving the straights on WSW course with NW swells of 6+feet and forecast NW winds of 5-15 knots, encountered 3+ days of 2-7 knots winds with swells from NW at 6-8 feet confused with W and SW swells of 2-5 feet making a sloppy sea and so motor-sailed off and on for 3 days. Next winds steadied from the NW and swells built from the NW with more of the SW and SSW swells confusing seas, but good sailing wind from the NW 7-20 knts. 130 miles off Cape Mendocino winds increased to 30-45 knots, seas still confused and quite an uncomfortable ride. Took the opportunity to test out a new storm sail set and hove to with storm tri-sail and storm jib and got some good sleep with hundreds of dolphins for company. Sailed with following confused seas and 2-25 knot winds out of the NW with storm tri-sail and storm jib on a 131 degree True course making for Point Reyes. Off Point Arenas at 0200 hours the winds suddenly increased to over 40kts, my wind vane broke and auto pilot was overwhelmed. Dropped strorm tri-sail and sailed with storm jib only while hand steering tiller all the way into Drakes Bay where we anchored and slept in 25 knots wind. Suggest you prepare for all and any condition those who have posted previously described. Best to have a wonderful passage knowing that if **** hits the fan your ship will protect you. IMHO

[BluesTraveler]

Congratulation, first off! We just upgraded from a 26 Lancer to a 33' C&C last year and are planning the same trip. Our original goal had been this year but we postponed due to my mum's health and are now setting our sights on next year. We have read a number of threads recommending a circumnavigation of Vancouver Island as a great way to prepare. We appreciate the opportunity to read your thread. As our C&C has a fully canvassed enclosure, we truly enjoy the solitude and freedom of winter sailing in the San Juan's and beyond but are anxiously awaiting making 'The Big Left'. Keep us posted on your preperations and departure dates. Best Wishes, Shannara (formerly known as Blues Traveler, the name of my husbands M31 prior to our Lancer and current sea lady )

[DeepFrz]

Take a look at the Earth Wind Map and then read Jeanne Socrates blog. She is caught in a maelstrom of south wind. She tried riding to a drogue but one of the shackles broke. That is about the last news. Waiting for updates today if they are coming. Wishing her the best.