Portland to Friday harbor
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The friendliest place on the web for anyone who enjoys boating.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
dhmeissner
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Well this fellow wasn't swayed by the apocalypse. Tempting the gods worked out OK. Do what feels right to you, if you don't have the time, money, or inclination then sail her up I5.
Good luck!
http://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/s36/victoria-bc-sea-cortez-21624.html
Good luck!
http://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/s36/victoria-bc-sea-cortez-21624.html
Last edited:
JustBob
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It's actually me, on my dad's 42' Owens Aruba. I could drive that thing all day and he was happy to let me, most of the time. Thank you for your comment!
Here is the full shot, as you can see my brother, two years younger is along. Last year on my charter boat we tried to recreate the shot.
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78puget-trawler
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This is a fairly nice day on the ocean shown here. Not even sloppy. You would of course find it less than pleasant perhaps in a 34 CHB but the conditions are actually good.
78puget-trawler
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Pooh pooh and make jokes all you want to. Doesn't alter the fact that a new skipper with a new boat that was not designed for ocean cruising should think (and he has) long and hard about doing this. It just makes little sense.
dhays
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Despite the scary weather, when I was considering bring my new sailboat up from SoCal it really came down to time and money.
Finding the right weather window is key. I couldn't afford to sit for weeks waiting for weather. The other issue is the added cost of commissioning a new to me boat for an open water trip. Frankly the gear and equipment appropriate for the Salish Sea is not the same as running up the West Coast. Granted, Pdx to Friday Harbor is a much shorter trip, but the boat you are considering is a much older vessel.
So unless you have all the time in the world, and are willing to do some work on the boat before you leave, I think that trucking is a great option.
Olympia, Swantown Marina & Boatworks | Port of Olympia, WA - Official Website
Tacoma, Hylebos Marina
Finding the right weather window is key. I couldn't afford to sit for weeks waiting for weather. The other issue is the added cost of commissioning a new to me boat for an open water trip. Frankly the gear and equipment appropriate for the Salish Sea is not the same as running up the West Coast. Granted, Pdx to Friday Harbor is a much shorter trip, but the boat you are considering is a much older vessel.
So unless you have all the time in the world, and are willing to do some work on the boat before you leave, I think that trucking is a great option.
Olympia, Swantown Marina & Boatworks | Port of Olympia, WA - Official Website
Tacoma, Hylebos Marina
We're combining a lot of elements here. Let's go one by one as to the factors.
1. Inexperienced owner and boat new to him. Well, the inexperienced owner part can be overcome with an experienced captain. As to the boat, I'd want a shakedown cruise or two. I'd cruise to Astoria and then go outside and run it a while if it handled that ok. Back to Astoria. Repeat if necessary. Then consider the trip.
2. Cruising the coast. There are many ways to do that. Yes, you can go 100 miles offshore and do it 24/7 and ignore all conditions, never paying attention to the weather. You can be as irresponsible as you want to be. However, you can plan carefully and take extra precaution. Most of the trip you can find a marina for night. The one night or so you can't, you can find a decent anchorage. You can sit as long as needed along the way. The stories of storms coming up out of nowhere is a time without all the forecasting and tracking we have today. They can still sometimes come up quickly, but getting caught out in one really shouldn't happen on a trip this short. For extra precaution you stay in if at all concerned. If a storm is forecast for tomorrow but predicted to be relatively mild, perhaps you stay in anyway, just in case it's greater than predicted.
3. Cost and convenience. There it's how you want to spend your money. Not a lot of difference in cost of transporting by land vs. water when all is added up. I'd rather spend my money boating. You might rather spend it shipping.
For those of us use to seeing one town run into the next and development all along the route, the beauty of the coast is magnificent. I don't think it's possible to perceive it from land as you can from the water. So natural and so relatively untouched. Miles and miles of nothing. May seem boring to some, but beautiful to us. And the sea full of so much to observe.
In 2014, we made many trips up and down that coastal area. Conditions varied widely. We had 10' swells that were amazingly calm with 13 second periods and we saw 4-6' wind waves that kept everyone in port. In addition to all the weather information available, the Coast Guard gives great information on conditions, especially of every bar.
If you show the sea proper respect, you won't need to fear it. While I wouldn't advise an inexperienced boater to head out on his own up the coast in a boat he just got and doesn't really know, I certainly wouldn't advise people that the area along there is so treacherous no one should ever transit it. The truth is in between. Then it comes down to a personal choice.
This isn't a trip to be taken lightly, but it's also not Cape Horn.
1. Inexperienced owner and boat new to him. Well, the inexperienced owner part can be overcome with an experienced captain. As to the boat, I'd want a shakedown cruise or two. I'd cruise to Astoria and then go outside and run it a while if it handled that ok. Back to Astoria. Repeat if necessary. Then consider the trip.
2. Cruising the coast. There are many ways to do that. Yes, you can go 100 miles offshore and do it 24/7 and ignore all conditions, never paying attention to the weather. You can be as irresponsible as you want to be. However, you can plan carefully and take extra precaution. Most of the trip you can find a marina for night. The one night or so you can't, you can find a decent anchorage. You can sit as long as needed along the way. The stories of storms coming up out of nowhere is a time without all the forecasting and tracking we have today. They can still sometimes come up quickly, but getting caught out in one really shouldn't happen on a trip this short. For extra precaution you stay in if at all concerned. If a storm is forecast for tomorrow but predicted to be relatively mild, perhaps you stay in anyway, just in case it's greater than predicted.
3. Cost and convenience. There it's how you want to spend your money. Not a lot of difference in cost of transporting by land vs. water when all is added up. I'd rather spend my money boating. You might rather spend it shipping.
For those of us use to seeing one town run into the next and development all along the route, the beauty of the coast is magnificent. I don't think it's possible to perceive it from land as you can from the water. So natural and so relatively untouched. Miles and miles of nothing. May seem boring to some, but beautiful to us. And the sea full of so much to observe.
In 2014, we made many trips up and down that coastal area. Conditions varied widely. We had 10' swells that were amazingly calm with 13 second periods and we saw 4-6' wind waves that kept everyone in port. In addition to all the weather information available, the Coast Guard gives great information on conditions, especially of every bar.
If you show the sea proper respect, you won't need to fear it. While I wouldn't advise an inexperienced boater to head out on his own up the coast in a boat he just got and doesn't really know, I certainly wouldn't advise people that the area along there is so treacherous no one should ever transit it. The truth is in between. Then it comes down to a personal choice.
This isn't a trip to be taken lightly, but it's also not Cape Horn.
dhmeissner
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Mr 78, bang your head against the wall all you want. With a skipper, good weather, the boat sorted, there's little risk, and a great adventure.
I would suggest the OP join the CHB owners Yahoo group and ask questions there on how much of a coastal cruiser the 34 is.
Cheers
I would suggest the OP join the CHB owners Yahoo group and ask questions there on how much of a coastal cruiser the 34 is.
Cheers
dhmeissner
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Seems like yesterday we were cheering on this couple...dhmeissner; said:
http://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/s36/victoria-bc-sea-cortez-21624.html
What were we thinking?
TDunn
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I wouldn't do it with a new to me boat unless:
1) I knew the fuel tanks and fuel to be spotlessly clean. Even then I would take a bunch of fuel filters and make sure I could change them AND bleed the engine.
2) I had checked over all the electronics and critical wiring to make sure everything was working properly. I would still carry backups for critical components (gps, vhf, etc).
3) I would make sure all thru-hulls were sound and functioning properly. I would also consider replacing all hoses connected to thru-hulls that needed to be open as well as all on-engine hoses. I would also replace raw water impellers, do an oil and filter change AND a transmission oil change. Change all fuel filters (myself - see #1). Carry spare at least 4 spares for each fuel filter as well as spare oil filters and enough oil for an oil change. I would change the antifreeze in the engines and carry enough spare anti-freeze for another complete change.
4) Before heading north I would make the run down to Astoria, cross the bar, drive around outside a bit and come back in across the bar. If I had any boat problems I would either get them fixed or reconsider taking the boat up outside.
As far as cost goes, a captain is going to cost you around $250 a day (minimum) plus meals etc.. If all goes well you are looking at three long days with stops in Westport and Neah Bay/Port Angeles minimum. So the minimum cost for a captain will be around $1K and potentially quite a bit more if you have to wait out weather or have repairs made. On top of that you have your fuel costs. You might get by on a bit less if the run is made non-stop, but then your captain would probably want at least one crew ($200 a day more).
Overall, the 3-4 hour truck run from Portland to Olympia looks like a pretty good deal from both the cost and wear and tear perspectives. When I bought my boat 9 years ago the 75 mile truck trip from where I bought it to home cost about $700, but we didn't need lead or follow cars.
1) I knew the fuel tanks and fuel to be spotlessly clean. Even then I would take a bunch of fuel filters and make sure I could change them AND bleed the engine.
2) I had checked over all the electronics and critical wiring to make sure everything was working properly. I would still carry backups for critical components (gps, vhf, etc).
3) I would make sure all thru-hulls were sound and functioning properly. I would also consider replacing all hoses connected to thru-hulls that needed to be open as well as all on-engine hoses. I would also replace raw water impellers, do an oil and filter change AND a transmission oil change. Change all fuel filters (myself - see #1). Carry spare at least 4 spares for each fuel filter as well as spare oil filters and enough oil for an oil change. I would change the antifreeze in the engines and carry enough spare anti-freeze for another complete change.
4) Before heading north I would make the run down to Astoria, cross the bar, drive around outside a bit and come back in across the bar. If I had any boat problems I would either get them fixed or reconsider taking the boat up outside.
As far as cost goes, a captain is going to cost you around $250 a day (minimum) plus meals etc.. If all goes well you are looking at three long days with stops in Westport and Neah Bay/Port Angeles minimum. So the minimum cost for a captain will be around $1K and potentially quite a bit more if you have to wait out weather or have repairs made. On top of that you have your fuel costs. You might get by on a bit less if the run is made non-stop, but then your captain would probably want at least one crew ($200 a day more).
Overall, the 3-4 hour truck run from Portland to Olympia looks like a pretty good deal from both the cost and wear and tear perspectives. When I bought my boat 9 years ago the 75 mile truck trip from where I bought it to home cost about $700, but we didn't need lead or follow cars.
You did a good job of breaking this down but it really comes down to two things;
Wet or dry relocation.
We can debate the Pacific along with anchors and coffee but, bottom line is prudence and given what we are told, a $3,000 (cheap) truck ride is the wisest, in this instance.
JustBob
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Note first sentence of third paragraph:
We just came back from three weeks of cruising the Gulf Islands to "shakeout" the boat and figure out what else was needed before we depart.
We can settle this! Who volunteers to crew with our intrepid skipper?
wyoboater
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Island 15. Call the number I gave you........that is an EXTREMELY competent, experienced Captain. If he doesn't feel the vessel is safe for the journey, it won't go. If HE doesn't feel the weather is right, IT WON"T GO. If HE doesn't feel you are ready for it either it or YOU won't go. That's how he works. Call the number, get his perspective. The call is free.
Island15
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Thanks wyoboater. I will give them a call. I hadn't called because you mentioned that they wouldn't be available until August, I hope this doesn't take that long!
Cheapest. I won't agree to wisest. Wisest is based on many things and is a personal choice. We could have shipped a boat from Washington to Fort Lauderdale for many thousands less than it cost to take it on it's own bottom but wouldn't have been nearly the experience.
However, if he's looking for cost, I'd say grab the $3k deal and do it.
djones44
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No question. I used Uship from NJ to Anacortes, and would suggest the same here. It won't cost much more to just get the boat home, and work out the bugs first. You have all summer to cruise, spend a little time messing about beforehand.
Your boating companion(s) might appreciate your discretion.
78puget-trawler
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Without pointing any fingers and I am not, just making an observation for the OP more than anything else. He who in any way scoffs at the ocean and its potential for hazard has never been out there when its actually rough, unlike the video above which is an ocean nearly at rest. I have seen it absolutely flat calm, not a breath of wind and glassy, but that is extremely rare. I have also seen it under pretty nasty conditions while on much larger boats than we are talking about here, but most of the time its somewhere in between, usually a little lumpy and depending on the time of year, breezy to windy. I think most on this thread feel in this particular instance the OP would be wiser to truck it, though I didn't do a head count. Plenty of time for ocean cruising later on. For my money I want no part of the ocean for fun, because it really isn't that much fun, unless you like rolling around and picking up broken pieces, and cooking while seasick.
Portage_Bay
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Island15, you’ve gotten lots of excellent advice here. For what it’s worth in your case I line up with the ship it voices. Especially if you’re thinking you might save a few bucks by running her up the coast.
I haven’t read every post in this thread so I apologize if I’m repeating other’s advice here…..
If you do decide to run her up the coast in addition to the advice already given avoid Willapa Bay and La Push. Without local knowledge and lots of experience those are very dangerous entrances. And carry lots of spare fuel filters. A boat that hasn’t seen rough water in years and hasn’t had her tanks cleaned will very likely plug fuel filters about as fast as you can change them. Polishing the fuel, while a good idea, is not the same as tank cleaning which gets out the sludge accumulated at the bottom of the tanks.
I haven’t read every post in this thread so I apologize if I’m repeating other’s advice here…..
If you do decide to run her up the coast in addition to the advice already given avoid Willapa Bay and La Push. Without local knowledge and lots of experience those are very dangerous entrances. And carry lots of spare fuel filters. A boat that hasn’t seen rough water in years and hasn’t had her tanks cleaned will very likely plug fuel filters about as fast as you can change them. Polishing the fuel, while a good idea, is not the same as tank cleaning which gets out the sludge accumulated at the bottom of the tanks.
Island15
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I have to say when I posted this I wasn't sure anyone would respond or care. Well after 48 post I just wanted to say you guys are great! I'm still not sure of how I will get the boat here if I do purchase it.
But you have given me a lot to thing about and some great advice!
THANKS
But you have given me a lot to thing about and some great advice!
THANKS
I don't believe anyone here has scoffed at the ocean. It's potential for hazard is great. There are a lot of conditions in which no one should willingly be on it. Fortunately, it can also be very enjoyable in other conditions. In this case neither the owner or the boat is prepared for it.
dhays
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I have to say when I posted this I wasn't sure anyone would respond or care. Well after 48 post I just wanted to say you guys are great! I'm still not sure of how I will get the boat here if I do purchase it.
But you have given me a lot to thing about and some great advice!
THANKS
Folks tend to get interested when people are looking to make a purchase and, at least on the West Coast, the idea of going off shore always generates interest.
One additional thought... My insurance policy only covers me for the Puget Sound and BC waters, not West of Cape Flattery or West of Nigie Island. Now, I can buy a rider for that if I ever want to go beyond those areas, but the insurance company would want to be sure the boat was setup for it. In your case, it might be easier and cheaper to insure the boat when it is simply splashed in Puget Sound.
Island15
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FYI, I just received a proposal that I think is much more reasonable and if I move forward I will be going on the hard! (Around $1,650)
dhays
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That sounds like a pretty amazing price.
Poach
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Maybe this was already covered, but if not:
What is the cost of FB removal? What is the cost of FB reinstallation? Who is going to do the work? You might consider having whoever takes it off be the one who puts it back together. It's only a short drive from Oly to Portland and I would have the work done in Oly because if you need to go back for warranty work, you don't have to go outside.
What is the cost of FB removal? What is the cost of FB reinstallation? Who is going to do the work? You might consider having whoever takes it off be the one who puts it back together. It's only a short drive from Oly to Portland and I would have the work done in Oly because if you need to go back for warranty work, you don't have to go outside.
dhays
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I may have missed it if it was already covered, but does the FB have to be removed? It may be possible to route it to Oly without removing the FB. I have no idea what the air height is.
dhmeissner
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Great point. We had to get a rider when we brought our boat up from SF Bay. Now I'd have to call if I want to again venture out of Puget Sound. (Maybe someday circumnavigate Vancouver Island, but that's only a dream)
Mr. Island, take the land deal. Plenty of time for adventure after you're here!
bligh
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I would also check with Captain Richard Rodriguez regarding delivery up the coast. He just made this trip a few days ago on an 84 grand banks for a customer. You can contact him quickly through his bitter end blog on Facebook.
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