Recent Experience - Hawaii to PNW

[jackdale]

Anyone have any recent experience going from Hawaii to the Pacific Northwest? I am leaving Maui for Vancouver at the end of July and would appreciate any updates on the state / position of the gyre / garbage patch. Having wrapped piece of fishing net around a prop shaft once in the gyre, I am a little concerned.

I have checked the weatherfax for info on the high.

Thanks

Jack

[cdennyb]

think about putting one of those line cutters on your prop shaft(s) just in case. Got dive gear? Might be a nice thing to have just in case.

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by cdennyb

think about putting one of those line cutters on your prop shaft(s) just in case. Got dive gear? Might be a nice thing to have just in case.

We actually managed to pull the net off without cutting it.

I am doing a delivery - not my boat.

[Jim Cate]

G'Day Jack,

It's been many years since we last crossed the gyre, so no recent info to offer. But I was of the opinion that it didn't move much... not like the highs do. The huge mass of water involved isn't easy to push around! Having said that, I bet that there is a website that deals with the currents in the N Pac. Here in Oz the CSIRO has one that shows the currents around Australia, and surely NOAA or someone in the States does the same.

Cheers,

Jim and Ann s/v Insatiable II lying Manly, Qld, Oz

[poseidon]

We just got in from Hawai'i. 21 days Oahu to the San Juan islands. We started seeing garbage about 200 miles north of Oahu. Not much, a piece every 2 hours or so. Lasted for about 500 miles.

[jackdale]

Thanks Poseidon

What route did you take? Any problems with plastic getting into the sea strainers?

Jack

[poseidon]

We had ne winds, to about 33 17N by 159 24W and then ESE -E winds, wind went wsw about 37 35 N by 155 24 N. The N pacific high was nice and compact the whole time. Our route was real similar to the one in cornel's book. The 2nd to last day (169 miles off Cape Flattery) had 35knts of East wind, hoveto for 3 hours and then the wind went N and the NW. Had an awesome night of broad reaching, hand steering with rock'n roll on the ipod and moon light. Nw wind held until Cape Flattery the next evening. Had to motor down the straits.

Started seeing weird brown streaks in the water at 37 55 N and 155 45 W, We charged the batts. a couple hours a day and never had a problem with garbage. All the junk was well spread out.

5 days of fog started at about 38n 154w and ended 43 59 N 145 59W, right where our route crossed the great circle routes from Panama and California. Radar and having a pilothouse was very nice. Bring warm clothes!

cheers, patrick

[Loco Gato]

Originally Posted by jackdale

Thanks Poseidon

What route did you take? Any problems with plastic getting into the sea strainers?

Jack

I just finished an aborted attempt, mechanical/crew issues forced a turn around to Oahu, and saw lots of junk floating around. I got as high as 34x148 and most was floating nets, bottles, cans floats from longliners and chunks of nets. No real patches of plastic but it pays to keep an eye out for the nets.
When are you planning on taking off? And do you want/need any help?

[jackdale]

Departing on Tuesday - I hope.

Anything new?

Jack