I would echo Phil's concerns about the Columbia River Bar. While the bar it's self is, at times, treacherous, and should only be approached well planned and thought out . Even more of a concern should be the voyage from Seattle to Portland in a boat like our C-27.
It's a Long trip. In my humble opinion (and with some experience).. One should plan for a trip of at least one week. A good portion of which one will be Slogging into the prevailing seas and or winds. (and a 2 knot current in the Col. River) The Puget Sound most of the time, will be relatively benign, but..... it can turn tough. The Straits of Juan de Fuca at times, can be as nasty a stretch of water as one can imagine. Then, and what I consider to be the most daunting.. One has over 100 miles of The Washington Coast. Desolate. deserted, rocky and most of the time, a LEE shore. There are virtually NO bail out places along the approx 125 miles from Tatoosh Island to the Columbia River bar. After that little trip, you may have to wait until Slack Tide at the bar Then .. It's a "little" 100 mile .. UP CURRENT drive to Portland. (Plan on 2 1/2 days) A trip I do two or three times a year. I know of a few who have done such a trip.. and were Lucky.. I wouldn't do it on a Big Bet.. Not in MY Catalina 27.. Regards, Ralph Ahseln From: Phil Agur Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2010 10:08 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: [IC27A] boat move from seattle to Portland "Just plan your timing accross the Columbia River bar" is quite the understatement. I'm not being critical, I just want to make sure our new owner doesn't get the wrong impression. The Columbia River mouth is home to a USCG heavy weather training school for good reason. I don't want to misrepresent the danger so I quote a USCG document about the school, "The NMLBS is the only school for rough weather surf rescue operations in the world. The Columbia River bar, known as the "Graveyard of the Pacific," provides an ideal rough weather training environment with its deep river channel, rock jetties, coastal surf zones, and waves that can often exceed 20 feet." The timing of the crossing and local knowledge is critical for survival, even the USCG has lost a rescue vessel here. Phil Agur s/v Wing Tip C270 LE #184 MMSI 366901790 _,_._,___
