Crossing the Strait of Juan de Fuca

C

C-run Cutt

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C Dory Year
1983
C Dory Model
22 Angler
Hello Brats,

I'm considering a run from Neah Bay, WA to Tofino, BC in a 22' cruiser. Any advice above and beyond the usual (good) advice about waiting for the right weather would be appreciated. I'd love to hear some route details from someone who's made the crossing.

Thanks much,

C-run Cutt.
 
Haven't made that particular run but have been offshore out of Neah Bay many times when fishing. In July and early August, 4 days out of 5 have good weather and taking a 22CD 25-30 miles offshore then is easily done. You just have to pick the days. Once you get well into Sept., good seas are less frequent.

In the summer, early AM to 1-2 PM the winds are usually light but they can pick up a bit in the mid-late afternoon. In July and August the worst water is often inside the Straits (where the wind is funneled in) and at the entrance to the straits where the currents are high during tidal exchanges. Since the swells are generally from the W, you should be able to manage 15kt (or better) on a good day going mostly NW if you leave early and finish before the winds pick up. For swell and wind predictions, I find wetsand.com to be invaluable and I use it all the time when I'm out that way to determine if I'm going offshore and if so, what it will be like.
 
Also bear in mind that there are several potential shelters on the South West end of Vancouver Island if it gets nasty. Snuggery Cove/ Port Renfroe, Port San Juan, Nitinat Narrows, Clo-ose etc.

When we did the West Coast of Vancouver Island we met up with several Bayliners and Sea Rays in the 22 to 25 foot size which had come from Neah Bay--so a C Dory can do it easily...
 
One more thing - the marina a Neah bay (booked through Big Salmon Resort) has open wireless access so you can check the weather and swell web sites while there. It's also got a nice double breakwater and floating cement docks so it's quite comfortable inside the marina when the weather is bad.
 
Agree with Roger that Neah Bay is a great jumping off place. There is much boat traffic that direction, so go with a buddy boat if possible.

I usually go along the Van. Island coast. Clear customs at Oak Bay and go to Sooke. RON Sooke and leave at first light. Port Renfrew is good, Bamfield good too. We are normally at Bamfield before the wind makes up. Depending on weather, leave from Bamfield for Ucleulet and points north.

Dusty
 
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