Race to Alaska

[Leo Smith]

I'm thinking of participating in the first leg of the Race to Alaska (Port Townsend to Victoria) in my sailing kayak. The race starts at 5:00am on June 4th. What can I expect for wind conditions in the straight for early June? I realize that a lot of active C-Brats on this site are regular boaters in these waters.

For more information on this race (human or sail power only- no motors) visit racetoalaska.com
Thanks!

[thataway]

It could be zero knots, or it could be 50 knots….not meaning to be factious but it will depend on the exact conditions on that day. There may be fog also a major factor. You also want to look very carefully at the tide and current tables. These may be more of a factor than the wind! (especially if the wind is light). I suspect that there is some very important "local" knowledge about the best course, because of the tide/current.

[Lost Petrel]

Being somewhat familiar with the R2AK from the SCA R2AK forum and also having sailed small boats thru the Gulf Islands and Desolation, though not in June, I can say specific local knowledge of currents is going to be as vital as knowing what the wind will be doing.
If you know the currents you will be able to play the wind depending on which direction it is blowing or if it is not blowing at all.
If a front does move in from the NW (typical) you may still be able to move with the current in the lee of the islands
This will be quite a challenging endeavor and I applaud you for it, 20 years younger and I might consider it though I know there will be some my age there.

[hardee]

I do boat in this area frequently and Bob is right, You could have zero wind, or it could be 50+. Lost Petral is right about the currents, which are much more predictable. From PT to Victoria there are going to be precious few islands to use for current shadow. (Protection Island, and then the southern tip of Vancouver Island mainly.) You will have some lee from Dungeness Spit that you can take advantage of.

There are a set of published tables, previously, they were called Washburne's Tables, but in 2014, they are called Waggoner's Tables, that are extremely helpful, and you can plot current direction and strength by the hour. I would recommend acquiring those for planning.

The major considerations for this IMHO would be 1. Weather (fog is always a consideration there that time of year.) 2. Current planning 3. Marine traffic ( They are almost all bigger than I am, and travel faster --Victoria Clipper specifically). and 4. Self rescue capability.

Leaving Port Townsend at 0500 in June there is likely to be very little wind that early in the day. that is my usual time to leave Sequim for a Strait of Juan crossing (Out of the bay before the sun breaks the horizon. Pretty much guarantees a peaceful (read flat --as in no wind) crossing. Then depending on the conditions, (stable high pressure vs moving fronts or a low ) the morning breeze will pick up between 9-11AM and depending on the tide and current set, the surface can go from rollers to washing machine.

The winds can come from any direction, generally closer to the shore they will angle shore-ward, pulled by the thermal draw over ground and up the valleys.

By 0900 I am , if crossing, well past the entrances to Juan de Fuca.

Hope that helps, and Please keep us posted about your decision on this. it would be fun to be on the Strait and get to see this race happening.

Harvey
SleepyC

Some days are not like this:

[Leo Smith]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Having heard similar descriptions from others on crossing the straight, I'm going to pass on this one and continue kayaking in more sheltered waters. For crossing the straight, the Victoria Clipper or the MV Coho will be my choices.

[Robert H. Wilkinson]

For those interested in kayaking and like to read - "GREENLAND EXPEDITION - Where ice is born" by Lonnie Dupre is a very interesting book. Lots of amazing pictures as well. 2 men set out with the goal to circumnavigate Greenland - 15 months and 4,800 miles!!
They kayaked the west and east coast. Used dog sleds to cross the northern ice fields. Windchills of -95deg.F It also gives an interesting insight into the way of life for the people who live there.

Regards, Rob

[Casey]

Since we're (now) talking about kayak books - try "Kabloona in the Yellow Kayak." One of my favorites.

http://www.amazon.com/Kabloona-Yellow-Kayak-Journey-Through/dp/0888012187/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1420372829&sr=1-5&keywords=Kabloona

Best,
C

[hardee]

Bringing this back to the top:

R2AK is going to happen for sure.

The R2AK web site home page is here:
http://r2ak.com/about/

The race forum page is here, (hosted by Small Craft Advisor):
http://smallcraftadvisor.com/message-board2/viewforum.php?f=10

First leg is from Port Townsend, WA to Victoria BC with a start planned for June 4 at 0800 from Port Townsend Bay. This leg is scheduled to take advantage of a strong and long ebb, with hopes that all will finish on that first tidal current.

June 4 is a Thursday. That day was picked for the good tidal current, the option of a second start day if adverse weather becomes an issue, and the Victoria to Ketchikan, AK leg starts on Sunday, June 7 at noon. The are only 2 check points from there to Ketch. #1 is Seymour Narrows and #2 is Bella Bella...... then on to Ketchikan.

I have been asked if I would be interested in providing escort or safety boat service from PT to Victoria, and will probably do that. It should be a one day cruise, although there is an official allowable time to finish that segment in 36 hours. There should be usable daylight for 13 hours after the start. The escort boat lineup is still pretty sketchy and there is room for more.

If you would be interested in an interesting, slow cruise with a purpose, this might be for you. Please PM me if you have any interest and I will offer info and contact if you want.

This will be my 7th official race support endeavor, and there are not many perks but for me, it is a chance to provide some (water borne) community service. For the first race, (an International Championship Rowers race) we had about a dozen from the C-Brat community. It was nice because the racers could recognize the shape of the vessels and knew we were there for them. It would be nice if we could generate that kind of support again.

Check out the links and consider it.

Harvey
SleepyC

[hardee]

Adding a bit of a correction.

Start time has been adjusted to fit better with the AM tide and currents around Point Wilson. NEW START TIME is 0500.

Yes it will be plenty light by then.

Harvey
SleepyC