You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Portland to Canada
- Thread starter thechadmiller
- Start date
thechadmiller
New member
Hey Robbi, where would I launch from and leave my truck and trailer in Oly?
journey on
New member
South of Heaven
Well, if you're going from Maine south to Florida AND not using the various inland water ways, I would bet that you would hit a few Northers on the way down and have to pull into a safe harbor. Or a thunderstorm would make you do the same thing. So it's not safe all the way. And then there's the capes, such as Hatteras, etc. It's not all smooth sailing. And you're going downhill; each Coast has its dangers. By the way I've gone north from Florida and got caught offshore off Georgia in a lightning storm where I thought we'd sink.
So, if you try going from the Straits of San Juan de Fuca down the coast, that's a different game from going uphill from say the Columbia to the Straits. I've done downhill all the way to California and so have a whole bunch of Canadians. If you're going downhill, those rollers from the big Alaskan storms are going with you. Even then, they're impressive. And they stay with you until you're into Oregon after which they smooth out. Going uphill, which is what thechadmiller asked about, you're fighting those seas in a 22' boat all the way, 193 mi, even with no weather. That would be an impressive ride. It probably is doable if you can find a couple of good weather windows, but the Pacific Coast isn't as accommodating as the Atlantic Coast, since it's a subduction zone. The Atlantic Coast has a gentle drop off (except for Maine) since the North American Plate is moving east and also has a lot of harbors.
So the moral of this missive is that both East and West Coasts have their good and bad points and just enjoy what you have. And there is a yearly sailboat race from the Columbia River to Seattle every year: Oregon Offshore, Portland to Victoria by the Corinthian Yacht Club.
Boris
Boris
Well, if you're going from Maine south to Florida AND not using the various inland water ways, I would bet that you would hit a few Northers on the way down and have to pull into a safe harbor. Or a thunderstorm would make you do the same thing. So it's not safe all the way. And then there's the capes, such as Hatteras, etc. It's not all smooth sailing. And you're going downhill; each Coast has its dangers. By the way I've gone north from Florida and got caught offshore off Georgia in a lightning storm where I thought we'd sink.
So, if you try going from the Straits of San Juan de Fuca down the coast, that's a different game from going uphill from say the Columbia to the Straits. I've done downhill all the way to California and so have a whole bunch of Canadians. If you're going downhill, those rollers from the big Alaskan storms are going with you. Even then, they're impressive. And they stay with you until you're into Oregon after which they smooth out. Going uphill, which is what thechadmiller asked about, you're fighting those seas in a 22' boat all the way, 193 mi, even with no weather. That would be an impressive ride. It probably is doable if you can find a couple of good weather windows, but the Pacific Coast isn't as accommodating as the Atlantic Coast, since it's a subduction zone. The Atlantic Coast has a gentle drop off (except for Maine) since the North American Plate is moving east and also has a lot of harbors.
So the moral of this missive is that both East and West Coasts have their good and bad points and just enjoy what you have. And there is a yearly sailboat race from the Columbia River to Seattle every year: Oregon Offshore, Portland to Victoria by the Corinthian Yacht Club.
Boris
Boris
Here are two launch ramps. Both are at marinas that have services.
Swantown Marina in Olympia, Port of Olympia. $5 launch, $5 a night to park.
360-528-8049 www.portolympia.com
Zittels Marina, 8 miles from Olympia. $14 launch. You can call to find out about parking. 360-459-1950 www.zittelsmarina.com
Let me know if you have any other questions and I will try to help you out.
Swantown Marina in Olympia, Port of Olympia. $5 launch, $5 a night to park.
360-528-8049 www.portolympia.com
Zittels Marina, 8 miles from Olympia. $14 launch. You can call to find out about parking. 360-459-1950 www.zittelsmarina.com
Let me know if you have any other questions and I will try to help you out.
South of Heaven
New member
Boris,
I didn't mean that. Of course you'd have to wait for weather windows on the east coast. I just meant that it seems quite doable to go from ME to FL in a smaller boat, where after reading this thread it seems that it's not even an option to go from WA to CA (in a smaller boat).
Even in my new boat I've run into some interesting situations and they were all within sightline of the coast! I learned pretty quickly about dealing with a big following and beam sea (3-5 feet sustained). I felt like my boat was gonna roll over (probably one of those times where "the boat can take more than the captain" !
Here's a video I took of me in a head sea during a small craft advisory. My boat has no issues with big head seas (big beam/following seas are the problem).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxIByizVkWc
I didn't mean that. Of course you'd have to wait for weather windows on the east coast. I just meant that it seems quite doable to go from ME to FL in a smaller boat, where after reading this thread it seems that it's not even an option to go from WA to CA (in a smaller boat).
Even in my new boat I've run into some interesting situations and they were all within sightline of the coast! I learned pretty quickly about dealing with a big following and beam sea (3-5 feet sustained). I felt like my boat was gonna roll over (probably one of those times where "the boat can take more than the captain" !
Here's a video I took of me in a head sea during a small craft advisory. My boat has no issues with big head seas (big beam/following seas are the problem).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxIByizVkWc
Guyz,
Heard of the east coast northbound Gulf Stream? Mix it with a stiff Norther
(a strong wind blowing south for you stink potters), or Nor'Easter, and you
have a world class dangerous sea state.
I don't like to compare bad sea states except to know to avoid them east or
west.
Aye.
Grandpa used to say, "Often nothin' peaceful about the Pacific".
Heard of the east coast northbound Gulf Stream? Mix it with a stiff Norther
(a strong wind blowing south for you stink potters), or Nor'Easter, and you
have a world class dangerous sea state.
I don't like to compare bad sea states except to know to avoid them east or
west.
Aye.
Grandpa used to say, "Often nothin' peaceful about the Pacific".
There is also a launch at Steilacoom. Don't know the cost, and I think there are only a few parking places. If you are really adventurous or worried about vandalism, which is a big problem, take the ferry (don't come at low tide) from Steilacoom to Anderson Island and use the launch at the Riviera Yacht Club, $5 and free parking. The ferry will probably be about $60 by you only pay one way. I'm not saying there isn't any crime here on AI, but it is an island with no bridge, so I haven't heard of much. You would also be welcome to park your trailer at my house for an extended trip.