Want to go for a boat ride?

Gofirstclass

Well-Known Member
Apr 20, 2010
11,656
Tri Cities, WA
Boat Info
Boatless in WA
Engines
No motor
I rounded up a crew to help get the boat around to Seattle. It’s going to be about 650 miles and we expect it to take 7 days unless we run into weather issues. There will be 3 of us on the boat from here to Longview, WA where one of the crew (Jim) has to leave to take his daughter to college. He’s had some cruising experience on Beachcomber, having helped me take her to Portland and back.

Jim will be replaced in Longview by Doug who will be on the boat as we finish the trip to Seattle. Doug and I met in 2014 when he and I helped a new friend (Stuart) take his boat from Seattle to Stockton, CA. So Doug has some very welcome open ocean experience in addition to being an accomplished skipper in his own right.

The third part of the crew is Tom. Tom and I met when Doug and I took the boat to CA. Tom is also an experienced skipper, having taken his boat from Longview, WA where he lives and docks it, to Alaska every year. So lots of open water experience plus experience going back and forth over the infamous Columbia River bar.

Me? I’m just along to do the cooking and cleanup. Now you may chuckle at that, but I’m party serious. I’ve just finished a round of chemo treatments to fight off stage IV cancer. One of the lingering side effects is an unsteadiness on my feet. I’ve promised my wife I would NOT go out on deck unless someone’s life was in jeopardy. I also made that unsteadiness clear to the other crew and made sure they knew about it ahead and were OK with taking on my share of the deck duties. All readily agreed to take on any additional load.

So, with this kind of a setup and crew, what could go wrong? Well, my biggest concern is the weather, and not the weather on the ocean. My concern is the winds on the Columbia. We have to pass through the infamous Columbia River Gorge area that’s widely known for being the wind surfing capital of the world. We also have to pass through 4 locks on the Columbia and 1 in Seattle.

The Columbia River locks can be tricky on a calm day. In one of the locks on the Snake River, I had the wind spin my 330 Sundancer (33’ express cruiser) in a full circle when they opened the downstream (upwind) gate to let me exit. It acted like a venturi with the wind. To say that I was experiencing a major pucker would be a gross understatement.

I’m going to do all the boat driving when we’re going through a lock or in any docking/undocking maneuvers. Other than that we’re going to do 2-hour shifts with each of us getting a turn at the helm, as a spotter for debris/crab pots etc. The third person will have his turn to rest before coming back on the helm. We did that on the way to California and it worked well.

We’ve also decided that ANY of us has the right to say “Nope, we’re not going out today.” That takes the burden off anyone and relieves them from feeling bad about making the call.

We’re leaving Tuesday, July 7th around 0845 or a little earlier. The first lock we encounter is McNary.
img

https://www.nww.usace.army.mil/portals/28/siteimages/Dams/McNary_5x4-2.jpg[/img] It’s about 36 miles downriver and has an average lift of 103’ though that may be a bit higher now because the river is high. All the locks on the river have lock times for downstream travel of 9:30, 12:30, 3:30 and 6:30. We intend to make the 12:30 lock. That let’s us out of the lock around 1:00p and it’s another 47 miles to our first stop of Arlington, OR. We should be in there around 5:00, just in time for dinner.

So, come on along with us. We’ve all decided this is going to be a FUN trip and the only schedules we’re setting will be to make the lock times at the dams. Please put your tray tables in the upright and locked positions and get ready to go for a lengthy boat ride.
 
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Bon Voyage! Safe travels on your adventure. Must be difficult letting go of this old girl we have known to love in many of your other great adventures.

looking forward to frequent updates and pictures.
 
I rounded up a crew to help get the boat around to Seattle. It’s going to be about 650 miles and we expect it to take 7 days unless we run into weather issues. There will be 3 of us on the boat from here to Longview, WA where one of the crew (Jim) has to leave to take his daughter to college. He’s had some cruising experience on Beachcomber, having helped me take her to Portland and back.

Jim will be replaced in Longview by Doug who will be on the boat as we finish the trip to Seattle. Doug and I met in 2014 when he and I helped a new friend (Stuart) take his boat from Seattle to Stockton, CA. So Doug has some very welcome open ocean experience in addition to being an accomplished skipper in his own right.

The third part of the crew is Tom. Tom and I met when Doug and I took the boat to CA. Tom is also an experienced skipper, having taken his boat from Longview, WA where he lives and docks it, to Alaska every year. So lots of open water experience plus experience going back and forth over the infamous Columbia River bar.

Me? I’m just along to do the cooking and cleanup. Now you may chuckle at that, but I’m party serious. I’ve just finished a round of chemo treatments to fight off stage IV cancer. One of the lingering side effects is an unsteadiness on my feet. I’ve promised my wife I would NOT go out on deck unless someone’s life was in jeopardy. I also made that unsteadiness clear to the other crew and made sure they knew about it ahead and were OK with taking on my share of the deck duties. All readily agreed to take on any additional load.

So, with this kind of a setup and crew, what could go wrong? Well, my biggest concern is the weather, and not the weather on the ocean. My concern is the winds on the Columbia. We have to pass through the infamous Columbia River Gorge area that’s widely known for being the wind surfing capital of the world. We also have to pass through 4 locks on the Columbia and 1 in Seattle.

The Columbia River locks can be tricky on a calm day. In one of the locks on the Snake River, I had the wind spin my 330 Sundancer (33’ express cruiser) in a full circle when they opened the downstream (upwind) gate to let me exit. It acted like a venturi with the wind. To say that I was experiencing a major pucker would be a gross understatement.

I’m going to do all the boat driving when we’re going through a lock or in any docking/undocking maneuvers. Other than that we’re going to do 2-hour shifts with each of us getting a turn at the helm, as a spotter for debris/crab pots etc. The third person will have his turn to rest before coming back on the helm. We did that on the way to California and it worked well.

We’ve also decided that ANY of us has the right to say “Nope, we’re not going out today.” That takes the burden off anyone and relieves them from feeling bad about making the call.

We’re leaving Tuesday, July 7th around 0845 or a little earlier. The first lock we encounter is McNary.
img

https://www.nww.usace.army.mil/portals/28/siteimages/Dams/McNary_5x4-2.jpg[/img] It’s about 36 miles downriver and has an average lift of 183’ though that may be a bit higher now because the river is high. All the locks on the river have lock times for downstream travel of 9:30, 12:30, 3:30 and 6:30. We intend to make the 12:30 lock. That let’s us out of the lock around 1:00p and it’s another 47 miles to our first stop of Arlington, OR. We should be in there around 5:00, just in time for dinner.

So, come on along with us. We’ve all decided this is going to be a FUN trip and the only schedules we’re setting will be to make the lock times at the dams. Please put your tray tables in the upright and locked positions and get ready to go for a lengthy boat ride.


That sounds like an awesome adventure. I wish I was closer!
Have fun....will you make a log and post as you go? Love to follow along...
 
Hope you have a safe, and problem free trip Mike.
 
If it wasn't for the whole border kerfuffle, I might have taken you up on that. Safe travels!
 
Sounds like a great adventure trip. Here is wishing you calm seas and fare skies!

Mike, Post some pics or even some video of the Columbia River Bar crossing, Id love to hear the specifics on how and when you choose to cross, I've heard that is a very interesting transit in which there is definitely a right and wrong way to do it.

Carpe Diem
 
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I'd be up for it but it's a little far for me over here in Pittsburgh. Would love to take a boat trip like that someday
 
Mike, I would love to be able to offer my assistance, but I am engaged otherwise...
 
Sounds like an awesome trip, can’t wait to hear how it is going and for it to go as you have planned
 
Wish I lived on that side of the country so I could join in.
 
Looks like it will be a great trip to hand her off however I know it is bitter sweet for you to do so.
If you weren't suck a hard ass captain I would join. :)

Sounds like your treatment is going well and I really like that you have a plan for after in getting your Motorhome and hitting the road.

We still have to have that drink on lake powell when you find your way there.

Safe travels and I hope you plan on updating us on your new adventure!

Jim
 
Well they say that hindsight is 20/20 and I’d have to agree with that. We were planning on leaving this morning but after checking on the winds all day, and watching them build throughout the day, I decided last night to canx todays’ start. It was the right decision and, after looking at the winds this morning it was the right decision. Winds at our first destination this morning were in the mid 30’s with gusts to 41. Ain’t no way I’d want to be going through the lock or docking the boat in that kind of wind. Tomorrow’s winds are showing steady at 14 with gusts to 20. That’s OK so we’re just shifting our schedule back one day.
 
When I saw the forecast I figured you'd postpone. Smart move.
 
I'll see if I can recall some of the questions and comments and reply here.

Yes, we will be doing a trip log with photos if I can find places that have fast enough internet to ,load them.

Yes, it is a bittersweet trip to give away my baby.

JC, I don't have connections with the lockmasters that are strong enough to let them steer me cross country to Lake Powell.
 
you are remarkable man fighting your health issues and handling delivery of your boat !

out of curiosity - what open sea conditions you think this boat can handle ? ever tried open ocean with this boat ?
 
you are remarkable man fighting your health issues and handling delivery of your boat !

out of curiosity - what open sea conditions you think this boat can handle ? ever tried open ocean with this boat ?
 
you are remarkable man fighting your health issues and handling delivery of your boat !

out of curiosity - what open sea conditions you think this boat can handle ? ever tried open ocean with this boat ?
Look through his posted threads. He has many adventures. Yes, his boat is very seaworthy and 10-15’ seas will make you sick but won’t sink you.
 
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