Crew Wanted: San Francisco to Portland, Oregon (area) APRIL 22 Depart 4/22

[llamadingo]

San Francisco to Portland, Oregon area (Bay City)
April 22 departure. Estimate 5-6 day voyage.
If you are looking to gain experience and log days-on-water hours for certification or to expand your experience and personal learning, this trip is for you! Some sailing experience a plus but you don't need to be a seasoned sailor. Best qualities are good demeanor, ability to work with others, physical competence and coordination, and desire to learn. Practical on boat experience and cross-training. Will be an educational experience on this boat delivery.
Learn real world e-chart navigation, running rigging and sails, review of ship systems, safety procedures, best practices, correct use of VHF radio, use of chart plotter, international check-in process and more. Responsibilities include running rigging and sails, night watch, monitoring boat systems, maintaining vessel, and boat operations. Crew pays for own transportation to and from the boat. Volunteer position, no fees. Food and board included.

[Montanan]

FYI:

Gale watch along the Pacific coast:

Gale Watch
URGENT - MARINE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Eureka CA
241 PM PDT Fri Apr 19 2024

PZZ475-200545-
/O.NEW.KEKA.GL.A.0015.240421T1000Z-240422T1000Z/
Cape Mendocino to Pt Arena 10 to 60 nm-
241 PM PDT Fri Apr 19 2024

...GALE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH LATE
SUNDAY NIGHT...

* WHAT...North winds 20 to 30 kt with gusts up to 40 kt and seas
8 to 12 feet possible.

* WHERE...Cape Mendocino to Pt Arena 10 to 60 nm.

* WHEN...From late Saturday night through late Sunday night.

* IMPACTS...Strong winds can cause hazardous seas which could
capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility.



PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Mariners should consider altering plans to avoid possible
hazardous conditions. Remain in port, seek safe harbor, alter
course, and/or secure the vessel for severe wind and seas.

[llamadingo]

Originally Posted by Montanan

FYI:
...GALE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH LATE
SUNDAY NIGHT...

Hi Montanan- Thanks and noted. This is why the departure date is April 22, MONDAY, based on current NOAA weather forecast. Mon-Tue-Wed forecast predicts it flattens. Thurs prediction is the wind reverses, changing direction pushing to the north. Taking a coastal route with the 22 protected anchorages and marinas along the way mapped as duck in points if needed. Starlink internet also onboard for up to the minute updates. Used this successfully for predictions over the last 1600 miles over the past 3 weeks.

Best,
Kevin

[Montanan]

Bon voyage.

[llamadingo]

Originally Posted by Montanan

Bon voyage.

Thanks so much. Fair winds to you as well!

[MikeHoncho]

You posted twice, one says Vancouver Island the other says Portland, OR

[llamadingo]

Originally Posted by MikeHoncho

You posted twice, one says Vancouver Island the other says Portland, OR

MikeHoncho - yes! I posted twice intentionally as
I was getting limitations on needing a shorter time frame. So, if someone only had a week, they.could do the first leg and then jump ship. So could do part of the trip or all the way. Same trip, two options. Thanks.

Best,
Kevin

[llamadingo]

"Free yourself from the hope that the sea will ever rest. Learn to sail in high winds."
-Aristotle Onasis

Invest, test, and master your craft.
- Kevin

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by llamadingo

Hi Montanan- Thanks and noted. This is why the departure date is April 22, MONDAY, based on current NOAA weather forecast. Mon-Tue-Wed forecast predicts it flattens. Thurs prediction is the wind reverses, changing direction pushing to the north. Taking a coastal route with the 22 protected anchorages and marinas along the way mapped as duck in points if needed. Starlink internet also onboard for up to the minute updates. Used this successfully for predictions over the last 1600 miles over the past 3 weeks.

Best,
Kevin

It's not just wind, check swell predictions as well. Most of those duck-in spots close when things pick up. Swells will likely be steeper closer to shore in a more coastal route.

[Cari Laut]

Also pointing out that nearly every entrance in Oregon and Washington are hazardous bars. Not exactly the kinda place you can just “duck in” during bad weather. Probably wise to wait for a better window.

[llamadingo]

Originally Posted by Don C L

It's not just wind, check swell predictions as well. Most of those duck-in spots close when things pick up. Swells will likely be steeper closer to shore in a more coastal route.

Very good point on swell predictions, Don C L. I use the PredictWind pro subscription and carry Starlink internet onboard as part of my kit. It incorporates swell predictions that combine forecast data with ocean current data to account for wind's effect on swells. As you probably are aware l, the wave model uses PWG and PWE wind data models to show the significant wave height for swell and wind waves, the primary wave direction, and the mean swell period in seconds. The wave model also takes into account the effect of ocean current.

Do you have other sources you recommend?

[llamadingo]

Originally Posted by Cari Laut

Also pointing out that nearly every entrance in Oregon and Washington are hazardous bars. Not exactly the kinda place you can just “duck in” during bad weather. Probably wise to wait for a better window.

I may have erroneously assumed that it was understood that I wasn't ducking in DURING bad weather, but ahead of it. I'm using real-time NOAA forecasts and several other predictive modeling applications tied to actual real-time weather feeds via internet. In addition to the anchorages there are 16 marinas (average 60 nm apart.) If you feel any marinas aren't well protected, which ones should I look out for in particular?

Also, since you mentioned "it's probably better to wait for a better window", are you saying there are zero good days of travel during the entire window? I thought several were quite favorable outside of Sunday and Thursday (including some light 5 to 15 kts days and even a southerly push.)

If you have specific data based info, please share.

Let me know your thoughts and rationale. Thanks

[Bowdrie]

If "Albion/Elk" is one of your 22 places I would erase that one.

[donradcliffe]

I've been tracking weather in that area because I had a delivery planned from Santa Cruz to Anacortes. A few days ago it looked like there was a window opening Wednesday night and I started to prepare, but the owner had to cancel due to health issues. Now it looks like you may be good from Monday to Friday evening, depending on model. Forecasts can change rapidly this time of year, so keep checking.

[Cari Laut]

Originally Posted by llamadingo

Very good point on swell predictions, Don C L. I use the PredictWind pro subscription and carry Starlink internet onboard as part of my kit. It incorporates swell predictions that combine forecast data with ocean current data to account for wind's effect on swells. As you probably are aware l, the wave model uses PWG and PWE wind data models to show the significant wave height for swell and wind waves, the primary wave direction, and the mean swell period in seconds. The wave model also takes into account the effect of ocean current.

Do you have other sources you recommend?

Check the NOAA buoy along the coast. Many will provide you actual weather data (wind, gust, wave height) as opposed to predictions. Once you click on the buoy, select “SAR Data” for the best info.

Additionally, I would check with the local Coast Guard stations for bar reports prior to any entry. If you don’t know the appropriate Station, you call the Sectors on CH 16. Sector Humboldt Bay for N Cali, North Bend for CA/Or border to Cape Kiwanis, and Sector Columbia River for Cape K to Puget Sound. They can provide you the most recent bar report, or direct you to the appropriate station for a current condition report.