PNW 2022, Columbia River and San Juan Islands

colbysmith · Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2022 5:10 pm Post subject:

That’d be me. Wink

Yosef · Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2022 6:08 pm Post subject:

If I'm reading it correctly, seems to show you doing 4-5 kph - any idea how fast the current is flowing?

-Joe

clayhubler · Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2022 8:41 pm Post subject:

The current changes with the tides. The river flows backwards when the tide is coming in. I could be mistaken but I think the tide affects the river all the way to bonneville.

I see you are currently at Sand Island. We have stayed there many times with Hammerhead.

Have a fun trip, I would have liked to join you for part of it but haven't had any time for the boat lately... Sad

colbysmith · Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2022 11:59 pm Post subject:

Yep, at Sand Island. I'm estimating the current has been running at about 3mph. I'm not sure if the tidal fluctuation has much to do with it at this point. I know driving on the highway along the river between Pasco and Portland, it appeared to really be running, especially downstream of the dams. (Which makes sense, but then I guess I do remember it had a pretty good current when I cruised on it earlier with a group several years ago.) I think the tidal fluctuations has some affect on the current closer to Astoria, and I could notice a bit of difference in my speed below Cathlamet with the time of day relative to the tide/current charts. However, today it didn't seem to make any difference, and I notice there are no more current charts above one of the island near Cathlamet. Normally, in a calm, no wind or current situation, C-Traveler will get about 5mpg at 5-6 mph and 1600 Rpm. And around 1.9 mpg on plane while doing 16-22 mph or about 4400 rpm. Today at those rpms, I ended up at 3 mph or 17 mph, burning the same fuel flow of 1.7mpg. So much for thinking I'd save running slow! I ran on plane most of today. I hope to have this current when I go back, so can almost float back! Mr. Green

I stopped at the Port of Kalama today to check out their little Interpretive Center. Some nice displays and information. This evening it looks like I'm the only one at Sand Island. There appears to be a sail boat, mostly covered in a tarp, and a pontoon boat. But I haven't seen anybody around. There was another pontoon boat and some folks that came over earlier, but they left. Pretty much an all day rain today, and stiff breeze out of the East. Colby

colbysmith · Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2022 10:55 am Post subject:

Finally, some more photos. Boaterhoming out.

Mitchell, SD. Walmart

Badlands National Park

Red Shale Forest Campground near Ashland, MT

50000 Silver Dollar RV Park.

Camp Tyboo

colbysmith · Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2022 11:15 am Post subject:

Launched at the Skipanon River ramp

Heading out after dumping the porti potti at the dump station at the Skipanon Marina pump out dock

Astoria Megler Bridge

Ships anchored near Astoria

USCGC Alert with the Astoria Column in the background

Seal relaxing on a navaid.

One of the Columbia River Bar Pilot boats. This is the sucker that threw the large wake knocking me to the floor!

colbysmith · Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2022 11:23 am Post subject:

Pillar Rock with the Pillar Rock Packing Co building in the background

Elochoman Slough Marina

The Julia Butler Hansen Bridge going into Cathlamet

This old sunken fishing boat off the Cathlamet Channel has been there a while.

The Longview Lewis and Clark Bridge

This ship especially caught my attention with the windmill blades.

One of several ships anchored along the way between Cathlamet and Kalama.

The Port of Kalama Marina Guest Dock.

colbysmith · Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2022 11:27 am Post subject:

One of several displays in the Port of Kalama Interpretive Center

Another display

Range marker. For those not familiar, these are used to line up in the channel. I'm currently just left of the channel. If I were in the center, the line on the back board would be directly over and centered between the lines on the front marker.

C-Traveler lonely on the Sand Island north docks.

Ship coming by Sand Island.

Byrdman · Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2022 2:05 pm Post subject:

So, is sucker a misspelled word above in regard to the vessel waking you to the floor?
Your plans after Columbia River?

colbysmith · Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2022 11:29 pm Post subject:

Uh, I might have called him something else under my breath. lol. Load out on the 13th and head up to my brothers in Graham. Pick up the wife at SEA on the 14th, and then if the weather cooperates, we'll launch at Cap Sante on the 17th and spend a week cruising in the San Juans. Colby

colbysmith · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2022 1:17 am Post subject:

Too late to upload photos tonight. But a quick synopsis of my day. Departed Sand Island by way of the Multnoah Channel. As I left Sand Island, I let the boat drift a bit to see what the current was. According to my GPS, 1.75 kts. That was at 8am. And I was drifting down stream. I don't believe the current was as bad as it had been farther down stream, as I was able to make about 5 kts at 1800 RPM with a fuel flow around 3.4 or better. A little more sun today and a little less rain! I found the Multnoah Channel interesting with many floating homes, a few sunken boats, and quieter waters. I also stopped for a few hours at Coon Island. Searched and found a geocache and also spoke with some fisherman on a boat just yards off the dock. Learned it was free fishing weekend, and followed their advice setting up my fishing line. While they were catching quite a few fish, I didn't get a bite. Pretty much how my fishing usually goes. Sad

Saw a 19' C-Dory towards the upstream end of the Multnoah. Ali Anna from Santa Cruz. She was docked at one of the floating homes. At least I think it was a 19... Turned down the Willamette to go through Portland. Tonight I'm anchored just behind Hardtack Island.

hardee · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2022 4:12 pm Post subject:

Nice Colby. Great pix Thanks for sharing. Finally. The brakes are good.
No on to the SEVENTY48 and R2AK Safety boat service.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

colbysmith · Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2022 12:47 am Post subject:

Today I cruised on up to the Willamette Falls. Was definitely worth the trip. I was able to get up "very" close to them. Lots of fishing boats out on the water, but I rarely see anybody catching anything. (Except for yesterday. The three guys next to Coon Island were bringing them in fairly frequently.) While there was some current in the Willamette River, it didn't affect my fuel too much. I did stop and drift for a minute on the Columbia River when I got back on it. 2.65 kts. Looks like I'll continue running fast going upstream since I'm not getting any better mileage going slow with that kind of current. Some more photos from yesterday and today to follow. Colby

colbysmith · Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2022 12:51 am Post subject:

Sand Island Sunrise

JJ Collins Marine Park dock at Coon Island. The fishing boat in the background was doing a good job at catching fish!

Floating homes on the Multnoah Channel.

Saw this C-Dory on the Multnomah Channel near where it meets the Willamette River. Guess it's not a 19 now that I look at the picture of it.

This floating home was built on a barge.

colbysmith · Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2022 12:58 am Post subject:

Dry Dock Vigorus. I think it's the biggest one in the US.

Pacific Tracker. For more info, see https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/pacific-tracker.htm

USCG Buoy Tender Bluebell

Lots of bridges going through Portland!

An interesting boat...