Seattle to Portland -Seeking Experience and Wisdom

[imus]

Hi all,
I am looking to move my Sceptre 43 sloop from Seattle down to Portland for the winter. Despite my choice of winter destination, I am generally of sound mind. It's just to have the boat closer to home through the winter, instead of the 3-4 hour drive up to Seattle.

I do not have any true open ocean experience other than a few trips across the Juan de Fuca, and have been mostly sailing around the San Juan and Gulf Islands. The boat and motor are well found.

I hear many words of caution about this journey, particularly in the off-season. I feel that September will be pushing it into that territory, but my timeline is flexible on waiting for a weather window. If timed correctly with the weather and the bar, is this a manageable journey for two people without open ocean experience?

I am seeking the collective wisdom on making the best decisions surrounding calendar and weather timing, overall difficulty, and any preparatory or general advice. I am trying to set myself up for success - an uneventful and safe journey!

If anyone is interested in joining to lend a hand, please feel free to PM me.

Thank you

[Stu Jackson]

Go in August, September is too late.


I did the reversed in 2016:


Travels with Aquavite: San Francsico Bay to British Columbia 2016

[Marathon1150]

I made the voyage from Vancouver Canada to San Francisco leaving Vancouver in early October (2009). The Washington and Oregon portion of the trip were fine. We were generally about 150 miles offshore. Northern California was very nasty.

I belong to an organization that fosters offshore cruising and it is fairly normal for many people to leave BC in August, September and as I did, October. At least one other boat left at about the same time as me - a few days earlier, and again, their experience off of Washington and Oregon was without incident. And as we did, they encountered some very heavy weather off of northern California.

I should add that we did not cross any bars - we sailed from Neah Bay/Cape Flattery, non-stop to Bodega Bay just north of San Francisco.

Cornell's World Cruising Routes indicates that May to October is suitable for voyages from the PNW to California.

One caveat - the weather has been weirder than normal this year and as always, it is best to be prepared for surprises.

[Lepke]

There are good weather days in September, even October. Just not very many and not every year.
The swells are smaller in deep water. I usually run 25 miles out. In crab fishing season there's hundreds of buoys to dodge inshore.

[imus]

Thanks for the input guys. I will check out the cruising route / pilot chart info.

[Don C L]

Check this social group:
https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...t+sailors.html

There are a few threads there that might help you regarding your trip.
I didn't author all those threads, I just collected them up for the group!