Moving to Portland OR. Need info!

[limitedwave@gmail.com]

Hi there. My wife and I moving to downtown Portland Oregon at the end of April. We have a Sundancer 260 that we keep in the water year round. I was wondering if anyone in here was familiar with boating in the area, and can offer any input as to the following.

- Willamette vs Columbia. There seems to be more marinas and 'stuff' in general on the Columbia. True? Is one river better suited for motor boating/cruising?

- marinas? Any info, good or bad on any marinas in this area?

- are there any guide books etc to boating the rivers in the area? I'm wondering about going out for the weekend and finding a quiet cove to sleep in as we do now. Will that type of experience be available in that area? Maybe there are lakes nearby?

Any info would be great. Thanks.

 

[Sundancer]

I have very limited knowledge, but I'll give you a start. The Columbia is much bigger and more suited to cruising since you can go a long ways up and down the river. There are parks and places to get out and spend the night. There are some islands and other places to enjoy the river. The Willamette is smaller but still useable. I don't know how far up river you can go and remain navigable. There is a lot of barge traffic on the Columbia and less on the Willamette as you get upriver from Portland. Still there are places to get away or use the islands to avoid the barges.

 

[Spot]

The Columbia is the best to park the boat. The Willamette has high amounts of nutrients in the water, anything that is in the river for some time turns green and grows in 2 weeks. You can however reach the Willamette in 1/2 hour from most of the moorages on the Columbia. Downtown is located on the Willamette river and the area has many functions that are located on or just off the water.

The best part of the Columbia is you can travel 200 miles on the river East/West and head north or south in the Ocean if you like. There are 100 islands on the river, many with transient docks for folks that are taking trips up or down the river. If you have access to a trailer for your 260 you can pull it 125 miles north and cruise the San Juan Island and Victoria Island BC, a week or two is best for the area. Tons to do where you are headed. If you want ideas on marina's, just ask the group... great options in the area.

 

[Spot]

Looking for Marina's most of them can be found on Hayden Island. There are marina's located down river also, it all depends on where you are going to live.

 

[Geo100]

Hi, my name is George Smith and I live in Longview Wa, abouthalf way from Port and the coast. There is a monthly free publication called "Freshwater News" with various articals on boating in the area and lots of adds for moorage. Contact them & see if they will send a copy if not let me know your address & I will send one to you.
Freshwater News
380 SE Spokane Suite 105
Portland Or 97202
(503)283-2733
Great boating on the Columbia, lots to see and do and great fishing to be had all yr round. During the summer Portland has concerts on the water front which hundreds of boats anchor and tune to certain radio station and listen, alot of fun.
GEO