Considering a C-Dory 16 trip from Anacortes to Friday Harbor

[Steve-in-SEA]

Hi folks - I'm mostly new to boating, and the happy owner of a C-Dory 16 Angler.

My son and I have crabbed and day-tripped in/around Skagit Bay, including a 40 mile day trip to LaConner.

And now we're thinking about a more adventurous 2 day trip out to Friday Harbor, launching at Anacortes (or perhaps LaConner), with a return the following day. We may stop along the way to visit a beach on Shaw. We're targeting July/August. Anacortes -> Friday Harbor appears to be a ~15nm run.

Boat: 2005 50HP Honda in good shape (750 hours) with a single battery. It's been recently serviced (including impeller). Three 6 gallon tanks.

I have some specific questions for this group, but would welcome any advice in general.

Weather/Conditions: Any advice from others with 16' Dorys on how to plan for this, what conditions to look for, what to avoid... or whether this just isn't a suitable voyage for a junior Dory?

No kicker: So far we haven't been so far offshore or in conditions in which an engine failure would create a dangerous situation. I realize this sort of decision comes down to personal comfort with risk; I'd appreciate hearing from folks on how they'd assess it in this situation.

My assumption is that we'd stay at the main marina at Friday Harbor...

Many thanks in advance for any ideas, advice, suggestions on the questions above, or anything else that comes to mind!

- Steve

PS: Apologies if I posted this to the wrong forum; please let me know and I'll delete/repost.


[/list]

[chromer]

I have been on several 16's, and i think you will be fine that time of year.

The old salts around here always advise if Rosario Strait is too rough in the middle, to use the northern crossing route across the north end of Cypress and Guemes island where the strait is narrower.

[NORO LIM]

We crossed Juan de Fuca in our 16 (Port Townsend to Cattle Pass) several times. We also circumnavigated Whidbey.

Be conservative about the weather. Do not risk fog or significant wind. Know what the tide is doing and which way the wind is blowing. Don't set out on a crossing late in the day with darkness approaching. Have a working VHF radio.

I always had a kicker. Never had to use it.

[starcrafttom]

Know the weather. know the wind direction and the direction of the tide. are they going together or against each other. Know the fog forecast. Lots of fog that time of year. Its an easy trip and people do it in small boats all the time.

If the wind is 10-20mph out of the south or west and the tide is out going its going to be rough as hell. but if you wait until the tide turns to incoming it will lay down flat in the same wind. People are probably tired of hearing me say this but I still see people leaving at the wrong time because they have a false idea how wind and waves work. "Got to leave early before the wind comes up" like the wind cares what time it is. Listen to the weather stations before you go and know your tides and currents in the area. CURRENT ATLAS: JUAN DE FUCA STRAIT TO STRAIT OF GEORGIA = By Canadian VG. If you do not own this boat you are not as informed as you think you are. BEST boat you will every own for the area. Great for fishing and crabbing to once you learn how to use it.

[Hunkydory]

I haven’t cruised the San Juan’s enough to to give specific area advice, but on the direction of wind & tides effecting sea state Tom’s advice is good. As far as early morning departure vs other times, I think more could be added. Yes, the wind can blow, as weather fronts come & go, light or strong at any time during a 24 hr period, but during a more stable weather period, the winds do generally calm towards evening & remain so from mid morning to early afternoon with the afternoon period being the strongest winds of the 24 hr day.

When I’m cruising an area like SE Alaska for months & trying to extend my fuel range by doing displacement speed cruising. The overall weather, tides & local wind are all evaluated closely to determine best departure time for another destination. As a general rule without a weather front intervention, I try to leave as as early as light allows matched by the best combination of projected winds & tide for that period. During the passage of weather fronts, the early morning consideration is dropped & all times are just matched to wind & tide & their time projections with my time estimated on passage. This is an example of that taken from my write up of our 2016 SE Alaska cruise.

“Last minute weather update yesterday kept us at the dock. Today we're getting conflicting weather forecast wth NOAA VFH calling for small craft warning for the northern Lynn Canal all day & NOAA marine spot saying winds are supposed to Change from north to south & waves drop to a foot for awhile, then pick back up from the south later. We were hoping to slip up the Canal during the change, but for now after fighting north winds that are supposed to be south, we are anchored in a nook waiting for the change to south & only about 13 miles out. Eagles & whales close about are making the waiting fun with Louie showing much exuberance. At the worst after the show here if the wind doesn't die down or shift to the south we'll have to head back & spend another night at Auke Bay. Even with the all day small craft warning for the Northern Lynn Canal, we made It back to Skagway, Alaska this afternoon with a very brisk south wind on our stern. This time it worked out nicely for us just as planned with the major north to south wind change arriving & the temporary calm that came with it when really needed, south of Eldrige Rock a rather notorious stretch of the Lynn Canal that can be quite intimidating even on a good day.” That day after the calming by Eldridge Rock the winds picked up to 25 knots on our stern & with the tide made for a pleasant ride back to Skagway. Many other days, when following the general light winds morning & picking up in the afternoon, we were up very early riding calm waters & anchored taking a nap when the later in the day winds did pick up.

So, as Tom states the wind & tide times & strengths should be the foremost consideration, but in my opinion this should be followed by the more general rule of also taking the early morning late evening calming periods into account too.

Jay

[starcrafttom]

The net is crazy today. I wanted to share a link to The " Current Atlas- Juan De Fucan Strait to Strait of George" and all I could find was used copys ranging in price from $115 to $400 dollars????????? https://www.amazon.ca/Current-atlas-Strait-Georgia-courants/dp/0660523809

I paid $15 10 years ago and its still available new for $30 at west marine. Why would anyone pay those prices for a book that is $30 new????

Or you can down load it to your phone for $19 here https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.tinyoctopus.CurrentAtlas&hl=en_US&gl=US

[Marco Flamingo]

[Hunkydory]

Marco, excellent advice. All of our C-Dory’s become very small boats on big lakes & the ocean with the CD16 even more so. In 2003 on our first experience with very rough water, JoLee was sure we were doomed & me thinking maybe so. It does take awhile to learn the capabilities of the C-Dory or any other boat. The learning time can be shortened, but then end up either very adventurous or costly.

The effects of wind against current though seemingly pretty straight forward can become complicated in places like points, passes, bars & winding obstructed narrows, depth variances or in broad channels & straits where even in these large areas there can be huge area eddies & back flows that can create rough conditions very unexpectedly. Moving water in these large areas still react similar to rivers & creeks just in larger scale. Even when the winds are on the stern & going with the tide it pays not to be complacent in higher wind conditions.

Jay

[Hunkydory]

Steve, as others have said pick your weather window & enjoy the trip.

Jay

[Steve-in-SEA]

Wow -

I'm so grateful for all of your advice, insight, and encouragement... and warmth.

Much appreciated, folks

I may have some follow-up questions as we prepare, and I'll share photos also

One step at a time!

- Steve

[Alyssa Jean]

Just did the trip from Anacortes to FH on my 16 Angler/50 hp Honda. Averaged about 14-18 knts and used about 5 gallons of fuel for the RT. If you look like you are going to get into some fog on Rosario, find a ferry and follow him across. Or wait.

[kaelc]

I'd bring an anchor with lots of rope and a dcs radio with built-in GPS or nmea networked to your gps. If you loose power, wind and tide can put you into dangerous spots but an anchor can keep you off the rocks or in one place for a tow. I have both handheld and fixed mount standard horizon radios, with these features but you just need one, that give your immediate location to coast guard. Wait for a high-pressure ridge to build offshore if you have travel date flexibility and yes keep your eye out for fog as already mentioned. Have a great trip.

[starcrafttom]

So here is my best advise, careful what you ask for, on boating, flying, 4x4, motorcycles and duck hunting. Do not get caught by the " gotta" Gotta get there, gotta get my limit, gotta make it. Nothing is as safe as the willingness to fail...... I have seen far to many people hurt or dead because they " Gotta" do something. I have driven HOURS to go fish a lake or hunt a spot or go cruise an area and just turn around and go home, and I have learned, the hard way mostly, to be ok with that. I have done some dumb stuff in my life. I know its hard to believe but its true. And most of it involved a internal combustion engine or a fire arm. The rest involved women. The guy that rolled a 40 footer on to reef was there because he " gotta" get there. or Gotta get that fish. That splatter on the side of a mt with a wing attached is there because he "Gotta " get thru the fog/clouds. The guy in the wheel chair or box has Gotta beat that light on 2 wheels or four. At my age I dont Gotta do shit anymore.

On a nice day you can fish a 16 ft cdory a 100 mile off shore and on a bad day I would not launch it at the dock. PICK YOUR DAYS and dont let someone else thats "gotta" pick them for you.