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PNW Cruising Question

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by firedreamer, Jul 20, 2013.

  1. firedreamer, Jul 20, 2013
    #1
    firedreamer

    firedreamer New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2010
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    Location:
    Puget Sound, for now
    Hey folks, back with another question. :) I am wondering what you all use as kind of a go / no go range of parameters up here in the PNW waters ? I am looking at heading up to Port Angeles WA From Astoria Oregon sometime around the first week of Aug. I Have a 1978 42' Californian aft cabin that I brought up from San Francisco 2 yrs ago. We have been just floating around here in the Columbia River and to be honest I don't recall what we used to decide to make the hops up.
    I am looking to make it as comfortable a ride as I can but at the same time I need / want to get up to Pt. Ang. sooner than later. So I would like to know what wind speeds / wind wave heights / sea swells and time between them etc. ya might use as kind of a rule of thumb ? I intend to make this trip in 3 hops, Astoria to Grays Harbor, than La Push , than Neah Bay and than on to PT. Angeles so they will all only be a 6/7 hr to 9/10 hr run of 60 to 80 miles. OK well any advise or thoughts are much appreciated by both myself and the "Admiral"

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  2. NYCAP123, Jul 20, 2013
    #2
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    On the east coast I generally follow a formula of 2 seconds + over the max wave height up to 10'. IOWs 3' every 5 + seconds, 8' every 10 + seconds, etc. Over 10' is just misery here, but I've heard you get some very large swells there which may affect those numbers.

    These numbers are not so much about danger as it is about comfort.
  3. sunchaserv, Jul 21, 2013
    #3
    sunchaserv

    sunchaserv Member

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    Location:
    Carefree, AZ
    I'd recommend a PNW weather router be asked that same question. The NOAA buoy data specific for the stretch from the Columbia River to Cape Flattery will be a good learning tool for you - watch it for a few weeks. Right now there is a 5 day plus nice period in your area, the typical mid summer Pacific high is moderating things a bit.

    You have a lot of windage and a high CG. So the weather acceptable to a good blue water vessel may prove a bit challenging for your vessel. Why so many stops? If you get a good weather window just go for it 24/7. Another point to ponder, for a few hundred dollars a day you can get a very good captain to lay things out for you.

    BTW, as NY Cap says, there will be some big swells, at times with 3 to 5 foot cross waves on them, par for the course up here.
  4. NYCAP123, Jul 21, 2013
    #4
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    I suspect fuel capacity has a lot to do with that, also night cruising can be pretty disconcerting for someone not used to it. Plus why rush if it's a pleasure cruise.
  5. firedreamer, Jul 21, 2013
    #5
    firedreamer

    firedreamer New Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Puget Sound, for now
    We are retired and so I just prefer not to travel at night if at all possible. i will never try to make someplace just because i put some self imposed time table in-place. I know how much trouble that can get ya into :) Besides I enjoy going slow and seeing some of the harbors along the way. my first thought is winds less than 20 and preferable 15mph or less, wind swells under 3 or 4 ' and sees depending on time of 7 or 8 sec minimum of say 4-6ft again less is more comfy whats that all sound like with all other weater aspects being safe and sane LOL
  6. Capt Fred, Jul 21, 2013
    #6
    Capt Fred

    Capt Fred Senior Member

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    Location:
    Long Beach CA
    Your criteria will work, just watch the bar crossings and pick the time to cross at or near slack water.