SF to Seattle or Bust!!

SR400DB

SR400DB

Active Member
Mar 18, 2008
975
Live California; Boat West Coast
Boat Info
2003 400DB, Simrad NSS12, 6100i, Furuno Navtex, KVH M3 Harbormaster Mark II
Engines
Cummins 6 CTA'S 8.3 417 BHP.
Ok. My trip is now officially planned. Leaving during a weather window in late September or October. I have my fuel stops planned, route is pretty simple (land on right :grin::grin:; stay 10 miles or so off coast) spares in hand (or in transit via Fedex). Preventive maintenance is about half complete. The trip will be just under 900 miles. We will run 24 hours a day if we get the right weather. I am adding an ais unit; all of my other safety gear will be inspected and updated if needed. With any luck in just under 60 days we will be underway or have the trip completed.
 
Are you staying up there or just a trip to stay there for an extended stay? Helluva trip in a 400!
 
The plan is to keep the boat in Seattle/San Juan's for a year and then possibly head north and spend some time in BC before heading South again. I do plan to add some details and photos as the trip develops.

Ken, yes this is a big trip for a boat like this, but very doable. Range should not be too much of issue, BUT, weather conditions will dictate the entire trip as this is not a heavy weather boat. With that understanding, I can't wait!!!


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Freaking amazing! I hope to talk to you before you head out. We have friends with a 480DB that bought a 79' Rayburn that is up in BC for now. They love it up there and spend more time there than at home!
 
I just made the opposite trip (Seattle to Stockton) in June and posted pics and notes here. http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/60321-Journey-of-a-Lifetime?highlight=ilwaco

I'd caution you about running at night. When we were out we usually were about 10-13 miles offshore, trying to stay deeper than 300'. We encountered crab pots in over 500' of water. Most are fairly easy to see, but the ones that have just floated away, turned all slimy green and are half sunk are the hard ones to spot. I'm not sure I'd want to be the guy who had to dive into the water below a rocking boat to cut the lines off the props. Matter of fact, I KNOW I'm not the guy who would do it. Take a look at the videos on page 2 of my post above and you'll understand what I'm saying. Especially this video. I can't imagine being below the boat in DAYTIME to cut lines away from the running gear, let alone at night. Just sayin'.
[video=youtube;uKgc8DBUi8M]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKgc8DBUi8M&feature=player_embedded[/video]

I have an Excel file that has mileages between coastal cities and some notes about the various harbors along the way. If you're interested drop me a PM with your email address and I'll send it to you. Also, if you have any specific questions don't hesitate to ask.

Also, Active Captain has a lot of good information about the harbors and marinas along the way.

Sea Legs GFC
 
I'll be right behind you in my new tub. As of now, we plan to start our run from Oaklet CA to the Columbia River bar on September 21-22, weather permitting. I may choose to run 20 miles offshore. Still working the details. Mike sent me his speadsheet and it is a great document. So far, our stops will be Eureka, Coos bay, then Astoria. Lest daylight this time of year so I amy add some stops. I have a six-man life raft w/EPIRB and a seperate hand held EPIRB! Safety first.
 
I would love to make a trip like that but also caution against running at night. Take the time to pop in and get fuel and a nights stay. I watched GFC's a GoAweighToo's journey together and there is no way I'd want to be out there in the middle of the night.

Best of luck.
 
GFC sent me his spreadsheet this am, looking forward to reviewing it this evening. Remember my trip is very weather dependent, we will not be leaving any harbor if the forecast is not on our side. That being said, if/when we get a four day weather window, we will run as much as possible. I have made more than a few overnight runs, in the right conditions its not too bad. But we will error on the side of caution at all times.

The safety gear list is very long. From the epirb to the life raft to the exposure suits, my boat is reasonably well equipped.

One of the guys assisting me has done the trip 25+ times in the last ten years. So that gives me some comfort.
 
Today's delivery

A2A0CC72-8CD6-4DFC-8324-1B1E2184BAAD-5925-000002908BA34FD4_zps30a477d3.jpg
 
I'm glad you guys are able to use that mileage spreadsheet. I had a lot of fun sitting here in the evenings playing on Google Earth putting it together. The comments on the workbook page titled "Port Facilities" came mostly from Active Captain but I also spent a lot of time on the phone to the various ports/marinas/harbors verifying the information that on there.
 
Gofirstclass said:
I'm glad you guys are able to use that mileage spreadsheet. I had a lot of fun sitting here in the evenings playing on Google Earth putting it together. The comments on the workbook page titled "Port Facilities" came mostly from Active Captain but I also spent a lot of time on the phone to the various ports/marinas/harbors verifying the information that on there.
Click to expand...

Yes, your work is much appreciated. I went to work on a "Port Facilities" section for about 5 minutes before I realized you had it completed for me. One question, some of the info on the net states no credit cards accepted at some facilities. Did you guys encounter this? Some even say no checks? Did you guys take a big pot of cash with you? Thanks
 
We didn't have any problems that I was aware of, but Stuart was the one flashing the plastic. If you plan on stopping at one of those I'd give 'em a call to see if a debit card works. In most areas it's the same as cash.

The "no checks" part I can understand. Anyone could pump a few boat bucks worth of fuel then call the bank to stop payment. The boat and the fuel are both gone from the seller's dock and it would be tough to collect.
 
Yep, agreed on the checks. I generally use my card (I like the quick miles I get). I do plan on calling ahead, just wondering on your encounters. Thanks
 
SR400DB said:
GFC sent me his spreadsheet this am, looking forward to reviewing it this evening. Remember my trip is very weather dependent, we will not be leaving any harbor if the forecast is not on our side. That being said, if/when we get a four day weather window, we will run as much as possible. I have made more than a few overnight runs, in the right conditions its not too bad. But we will error on the side of caution at all times.

The safety gear list is very long. From the epirb to the life raft to the exposure suits, my boat is reasonably well equipped.

One of the guys assisting me has done the trip 25+ times in the last ten years. So that gives me some comfort.
Click to expand...

He sent me the same sheet and I too have a guy who used to deliver boats up and down the west coast. Our first meeting is this week.
 
Ok, so most of the maintenance is complete, I just have to finish installing the new AIS, replace the engine zincs and we are ready to go. So, the waiting begins (for the right weather window). In the meantime, here is a screenshot of an app (ipad) I am writing for the trip.


843b2c4791f6c7d06a85d7b2c4a48daf.jpg


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I can't wait to see/read about your trip and see how it compares to ours. Good luck. You must be getting excited and antsy while waiting.
 
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