In a previous forum I have asked about transporting a 32' Catalina from Portland to Seattle. I was wondering if anyone has sailed that route. Is it doable by a moderately skilled skipper(mostly cruising in San Juans) or would it require a hired skipper? Any comments. Are there any sources I can research.
Ken
It's a matter of timing the weather windows for the offshore portion, how much time you have to make the trip (and how much time your crew can spare), VS the calculation of how much $$ it would take to truck the boat from Portland to Olympia. "Going North" at 60 mph has some advantages!
Nice trip when the seas are moderate and the headwinds light....
Tiresome if you get a 25 kt NW wind plus a 1.5 kt south-flowing current, plus a day of head seas of 5 feet at 8 seconds. :cry:
I have done a lot of trips both ways in the last three decades, and much prefer deliveries South! (with the prevailing winds and seas).
The WA coast can wear you down a bit, for what should be a 48 hour trip to Neah Bay where you can rest a night before heading inland down the Straits in calmer seas.
I have recently met a couple with six years of experiences "day tripping" that journey. (Astoria to Grays Harbor, next day to LaPush, and the last day to Neah Bay. Unlike you (and me!) they have a 40 footer that can maintain 7 kts in the ocean. They are also retired and able to sit out a day or three in any of those ports if the seas get too rough.
It's a great adventure and I will certainly do it again... But, you
have to do your Due Dilligence.
Fair winds,
LB
