Suggestions for port stops heading north from Astoria to Gig Harbor

[SV Sweet Dreams]

Planning on heading North in a week or two. Anyone made this trip and can provide suggestions? I'm new to the sailing community so any advice is appreciated.

[wefleenor]

On my way to Vancouver BC from Astoria I stopped at Westport, Neah Bay, and Port Angeles. Westport has been doing a lot of dredging so I think I would call ahead. Good luck.

[Don C L]

You might find a thread in here to check:
https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...t+sailors.html
Go through the "threads that are helpful to trip planning" too.

[jackdale]

Pay close attention to this site.

https://www.weather.gov/marine/nepacificbrief

[mvweebles]

There are few options beyond Gray's Harbor (the nautical chart name for Westport) which is about 50 nms north of Astoria, and Neah Bay, 100 nms sail from Gray's Harbor. Port Angeles is another 50 nms further.

Enjoy the ride. Short days make for a cold passage on a sailboat. Lots of coffee should help.

Peter

[Macblaze]

La Push is a lovely little stop. Great beach.

[MJH]

Originally Posted by SV Sweet Dreams

Planning on heading North in a week or two. Anyone made this trip and can provide suggestions? I'm new to the sailing community so any advice is appreciated.

You don't say your boat...I hope it is stout.

As a new sailor you are taking a challenging voyage this time of year as the predominant winds are northerly. Read Charlie's Charts of the Pacific Coast for detailed port information between Astoria and Neah Bay, Graveyard of the Pacific. You could spend weeks waiting for a suitable weather window...DON'T BE RUSHED! Given the proper weather I would prefer to sail direct to Neah Bay from Astoria using Grays Harbor as an alternate, La Push would be my very last choice. (Read up on crossing the bar procedures.) Don't forget to check the weather for the Strait of Juan de Fuca as well.

Read the Waggoner Cruising Guide for port information in Puget Sound.

I have not sailed that specific route but stops I have used and would consider are: Neah Bay (cheaper fuel), Port Angeles, Port Townsend, Port Ludlow, Blake Island (anchor), then your destination of Gig Harbor.

If you are lucky enough to make it to the Strait of Juan de Fuca then be prepared because it can be very difficult body of water much of the year and not much respite from the Pacific Ocean.

Out of Blake Island, the Colvos Passage current always runs North (odd but true).

Gig Harbor city dock is at Jerisich Park and very reasonable this time of year.

Good Luck.

~ ~ _/) ~ ~ MJH

[mvweebles]

I spent about 5 years delivering trawler yachts up the coast. Grays Harbor is fairly close go an all weather port. La Push is not. It's fairly well protected from prevailing NW conditions, but there's often southerly winds along this stretch of the coast. Assuming the OP has a sailboat, he'll want to keep going and the entrance to La Push may be challenging.

Assuming OP's boat can make 6.5 kts, leave Astoria late afternoon (4pm) and you'll make Gray's Harbor in time to top off your fuel tank and have an early dinner. BTW - if you need fuel, call ahead. This time of year, fuel docks are on very short hours.

If it's still available, the Pacific Coast Guide by Don and Reanne Douglass was the best cruising guide on the area. Fine Line Press our of Pt Townsend, same folks who do Waggoner Guides.

You may indeed have a wait for weather. But given your runs are so short, shouldn't be difficult to squeeze through as long as you're patient.

Peter

[wefleenor]

This is not the best time to make the trip. I find Dial-a-Buoy helpful.

https://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/dial.shtml

[mvweebles]

Originally Posted by wefleenor

This is not the best time to make the trip. I find Dial-a-Buoy helpful.

https://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/dial.shtml

There's a narrow wx window that opens tomorrow late afternoon that would get the OP to Grays Harbor overnight. Late afternoon Light winds, 1-2 meter seas. Winds fill-in from the south overnight. Could be a decent ride on a sailboat, though cool in the lower 50s. Would need to be in Grays Harbor by about noon on Thursday, then a decent wait for next wx window.

Peter