Uphill from Portland, OR to San Juan Islands - Page 2

Cal 43 · 25-10-2009, 14:42

Made the trip up and back last July/August on Summer Wind. Summer Wind is 43' long and displaces about 12 tons. We had four crew-2 ea 4hrs on/4hrs off at night, 6 on/6 off during the day.

At about 6 knots it's about 30 hrs from Astoria to Neah Bay (150 NM). Going up we had light NNW wind on the nose & 8' or so NW swells going up - like a very long carnival ride - fun until you had to do something like go to the head. Into the Strait in the early morning hours - dead calm & spectacular sunrise. Another 10 hrs to Port Angeles where we fueled up. Had to motor the entire distance.

Going back from Roche Harbor with the ebb current (GET Washburne's Tables to the Canadian Current Atlas) it took about 14 hrs to get to Neah Bay. Calm, fog, Orca whales, a little lumpy at the turn from Haro Strait into Juan de Fuca at Victoria, couple of ships, otherwise uneventful. Fueled up and spent the night in Neah Bay. Planned departure around the time we wanted to cross the Columbia Bar. Left early morning, heavy fog, light S wind on the nose, 2-4' swells, humpback whales, crab pots, little bit of drizzle. Finally got some wind at 0200 hrs and nice sailing for about 4 hours. Arrived earlier than expected at the Columbia Bar & waited about an hour for slack tide. No fog, no wind, minimal swell, no problem crossing.

We have radar and GPS/Map program on a computer (in addition to paper charts & redundant GPS units). Made the whole trip so much more enjoyable. We were only about 5-10 miles out. Got lucky with the weather - guess I'd rather have too little wind than too much for this trip.

Many smaller boats make this trip. My husband's 27' C&C did it. Good idea to get a delivery skipper the first time. Even better - try to get on somebody else's boat making the trip up or back.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Getting to Tortola from San Juan, PR	Down2TheC	Atlantic Ocean & the Caribbean	21	25-08-2009 08:25
Need Crew: Puget Sound / San Juan Islands	paulgrant	Crew Positions: Wanted & Available	2	19-06-2009 20:54
Sailing Up the Rio San Juan	somasized	Atlantic Ocean & the Caribbean	8	27-05-2009 00:51
Hello ya'll from PNW San Juan Islands	bennyd10	Meets & Greets	6	28-01-2008 03:08
From San Juan Islands to the Chesapeake Bay	Rhythmsmith	Meets & Greets	5	20-10-2007 15:39

25-10-2009, 14:42	#1
Cal 43 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Columbia River Vancouver/Portland USA Boat: Cal 43 Summer Wind Posts: 8	Made the trip up and back last July/August on Summer Wind. Summer Wind is 43' long and displaces about 12 tons. We had four crew-2 ea 4hrs on/4hrs off at night, 6 on/6 off during the day. At about 6 knots it's about 30 hrs from Astoria to Neah Bay (150 NM). Going up we had light NNW wind on the nose & 8' or so NW swells going up - like a very long carnival ride - fun until you had to do something like go to the head. Into the Strait in the early morning hours - dead calm & spectacular sunrise. Another 10 hrs to Port Angeles where we fueled up. Had to motor the entire distance. Going back from Roche Harbor with the ebb current (GET Washburne's Tables to the Canadian Current Atlas) it took about 14 hrs to get to Neah Bay. Calm, fog, Orca whales, a little lumpy at the turn from Haro Strait into Juan de Fuca at Victoria, couple of ships, otherwise uneventful. Fueled up and spent the night in Neah Bay. Planned departure around the time we wanted to cross the Columbia Bar. Left early morning, heavy fog, light S wind on the nose, 2-4' swells, humpback whales, crab pots, little bit of drizzle. Finally got some wind at 0200 hrs and nice sailing for about 4 hours. Arrived earlier than expected at the Columbia Bar & waited about an hour for slack tide. No fog, no wind, minimal swell, no problem crossing. We have radar and GPS/Map program on a computer (in addition to paper charts & redundant GPS units). Made the whole trip so much more enjoyable. We were only about 5-10 miles out. Got lucky with the weather - guess I'd rather have too little wind than too much for this trip. Many smaller boats make this trip. My husband's 27' C&C did it. Good idea to get a delivery skipper the first time. Even better - try to get on somebody else's boat making the trip up or back.