Recommended passage from Orcas to Bainbridge?

[richard_wb]

Currents look to be pretty minimal the a.m. of the 26th. You should easily be able to time your arrival at Pt. Wilson for the late afternoon slack. Then stay at either Pt. Hudson marina (call ahead) or Port of Port Townsend (tie to fuel dock and walk to marina office. If office is closed, list of available slips is posted.) Continue south the next morning. If a front is forecast, with SE 25-35 predicted, wait till the next weekend.

[senormechanico]

Originally Posted by Maggie-K

Delivered a Forty Footer from Friday harbor to Downtown Seattle a few weeks ago . It took about 11 hours. The trick is to play the currents to always be pushing you,try to time your run so you are on an Ebb when you leave with the turn to flood happening at around Point Partridge Stay on the Whidbey side of Smith islands for the best current and on the same side fore the smoothest water down Admiralty , The ebb runs the same weather you choose San Juan channel of Roserio. Nothing to worry about . Have a great run.

Maggie's right about the flood current on the West side of Whidbey.
I see people all the time motoring down the East side of Marrowstone and barely moving over the bottom during a flood.
They're in a huge back eddy at least half the length of Marrowstone and don't realize that a straight line is NOT the fastest way to get South.

If you stay in Port Townsend and leave during a flood, head East and try to stay North of the big rip which extends East of the North end of Marrowstone.
It curves to the South at Lagoon Point and you'll be flying as you pass my place.

[delmarrey]

This being your first run with the boat I would avoid Cornet Bay or the Swinomish Channel route. I don't know your draft but it can get real shallow, real quick, in those areas.

Bowman Bay just outside of Deception Pass is a good deep over overnighter but can be rough if the swells are coming in. I usually have to tie up to a seaward buoy and Med moor to a second buoy aft to keep'r into the swells. The wind always seems to be off direction for mooring. There's a dock in there too but it's like a roller coaster when the swells come in. And there are three rocks to be careful of. One should approach the Bay from the South.

The trip can be done in one day if motoring the whole way. But it would be best on the 21st, 22nd or 23rd catching the tides at the Admiralty Inlet around noon+, and let the tide carry you in the rest. The next week end the tides are going to fight you during the same hours of daylight.

[webejammin]

A GPS with map (even a hand held GPS w/map ) and a depth sounder and good weather will get you there no problem. If you are lucky enough to get a nice 15kt breeze from the NW you'll enjoy the cruse. Watch for floatsome ( loggs, tree limbs ) in the spring.

[capnorv]

Del Marrey, I notice you didn't mention the nice little dock inside Rosario Head, is it gone? Back in the 90's I spent quite a few nights there when I used to go inside in October. Haven't been inside since, got bored with it, and doesn't really head towards the peninsula, or the few favorable wind days for me. To the OP we'll be out the first week of April and am including a couple nights at Blake Island and a couple at Port Madison, maybe see you out there!

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by capnorv

Del Marrey, I notice you didn't mention the nice little dock inside Rosario Head, is it gone? Back in the 90's I spent quite a few nights there when I used to go inside in October. Haven't been inside since, got bored with it, and doesn't really head towards the peninsula, or the few favorable wind days for me. To the OP we'll be out the first week of April and am including a couple nights at Blake Island and a couple at Port Madison, maybe see you out there!

There is a dock on the NW part of the bay but that is private and it's not very deep over there. The other SW dock is the State Parks and there is a fee of $10 as well with the buoys.
There's also a fishing pier with a dinghy dock coming off the beach.

AlmOdOg, OBTW the weather is suppose to be fairly good on the 21-23. Maybe some sprinkles on the 21st. But supposed to get nasty next weekend. > PassageWeather - Sailing Weather - Marine Weather Forecasts for Sailors and Adventurers

[Alm0d0g]

Thanks for the tips. 11 hours eh? That is about what I calculated, but not knowing the routes i was bit apprehinsive. I think I have a good route now...just need to coordinate the tides!

Most folks have advised making it a 2 or 3 day event.....my crew just doesn't have that kind of time. I will have plenty of time for sight seeing in the summer. For now I jusst need to get her berthed! Thanks again

[cchesley]

Alm0d0g said "...my crew just doesn't have that kind of time..."

Probably worse than an untried, unknown boat is being constrained by a time schedule. It'll get you every time. There's been lots of good advice but the best practice of seamanship is Don't Be On a Schedule! You'll be stressed if things aren't going as well as planned and you'll make 'less than great decisions'.

I can't stress this enough.

[Pyxis156]

We have taken our boat to/from Anacortes and Gig Harbor four times this winter. For us it is a two-day trip and nobody has mentioned it but a great overnight or bail-out point is Port Ludlow just south of Port Townsend. It is well protected from most directions, has good anchorage towards the west side, and a great marina (UNLIMITED hot showers included with your moorage fee!). Perhaps best of all is the restaurant at the resort right at the marina, they have Black Butte Porter on tap and really good food.

As far as the Straits, I have to agree with DelMarrey and others that timing the tides will be the single biggest thing you can do to have a quick trip. If you can time the tides so you have an ebb leaving Orcas and catch the flood starting as you approach Admiralty Inlet, things will be much faster. We were doing over 12 knots over the ground through San Juan Channel past Cattle Point! That said, if the wind is blowing decently from the south and you time a flood into Admiralty Inlet, waves tend to get steeper...

Two of our legs across the Strait (both southbound) were rough with winds pretty steady 20-25 on one and steady 25-30 with gusts to 45 on the other. The Strait wasn't too bad at 20-25, maybe 4' waves with slightly higher occasionally, but we got beat up pretty good on the other trip with constant 5'-6' waves in the Strait and 7' - 8' waves through Admiralty Inlet. With the wind from the south and trying to time a flood in through the Inlet, the waves get pretty steep and it just wasn't fun. On the other hand, since our boat is relatively new to us, it was a great learning experience and our boat held up just fine. I found a few weak areas to address (like getting the anchor firmly secured!) but would have to say, heading out on a brand new (to you) boat in anything over 15 knots will definitely present you with some potential challenges.

Last thing I can think of if the wind is blowing from the southeast (frequently this time of year). While Point Wilson and Marrowstone Point have earned their reputations for rough water, on most of my trips I have to say some of the worst water we have encountered is along the east side of Marrowstone Island where you wouldn't really expect it. I think what happens is there is a lot of fetch when the wind is from the SE and it gets relatively shallow even 1/2 mile off the shore of the island. The waves don't necessarily get that much taller but really get steeper and have a shorter interval. That has been some of the most uncomfortable sailing we have experienced so staying out into Admiralty Inlet but just west of the traffic lanes would be my recommendation.

Have a healthy respect but don't sweat it too much, you will have a great time. Hope this helps...

[capnorv]

The initial sea trial of our new boat in mid October was a two day run from Anacortes to Olympia. The only purchase I made was a Westmarine dirigible, just in case. I have run from James Island to Blake Island many times in the 10-12 hour day range, usually a piece of cake, if the weather cooperates. Unless you have 15-20 knots of wind out of the North, I wouldn't attempt sailing, it's the iron genny all the way. Good Luck

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by Alm0d0g

Thanks for the tips. 11 hours eh? That is about what I calculated, but not knowing the routes i was bit apprehinsive. I think I have a good route now...just need to coordinate the tides!

Most folks have advised making it a 2 or 3 day event.....my crew just doesn't have that kind of time. I will have plenty of time for sight seeing in the summer. For now I jusst need to get her berthed! Thanks again

I was going to ask if you need a crew member but apparently you do already.

Looks like the weather is still holding for Tuesday/Wednesday, with maybe some rain. Hope you have a dodger.

The trip can be done in one day if you go with the tides. And do keep to the Whidbey side of the inlet. The center (shipping lane) expect some large ships, especially at the S. end of Whidbey where they have to turn pass Point No Point Light.

[Alm0d0g]

Delmarrey..thank you for reminding me of that truism. I have recommended to the crew that it is very likely that it could be a 2 day deal. I sometimes forget that regardless of how hard I push, the earth still spins at its own pace!