What is the most challenging body of water you sail on? My vote for our area goes to the Strait of Juan de Fuca. About 25 miles wide by 80 miles long, the Strait separates Washington State's Olympic Peninsula from Vancouver Island. It is the main shipping channel into Seattle and Vancouver, BC off the Pacific Ocean. Weather fronts move in off the Pacific and are funneled through the Strait by mile high mountains on both sides. During the "settled" weather during the summer, the wind's velocity is augmented by a thermal effect over the relatively warmer land. This thermal effect added to the prevailing westerlies off the ocean creates small craft warning (20 knot plus) winds nearly every afternoon and gale force winds (35kts) at the entrances are not at all uncommon. Added to the fun is the fact that the Strait is the principal tidal drain for the Puget Sound. Tidal currents reach 6 knots in some areas. When a strong ebb sets up against the prevailing westerlies, the waves change shape and become "square". At the bar at the entrance to the Pacific, these square waves can reach 14 feet when conditions are right. Throw in a propensity for fog and monster oceangoing container ships from the Orient moving through at high speeds...well, you get the picture. Not to give the Strait a totally bum rap, when it's on its best behavior and the Orca Whales are being playful, it can be a great sail. Tell us about your most challenging waters.
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Billy Tyne
A
Al Brito
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Frank Olson
Greek Islands/Hawaiian Islands
My vote is a tie between the Greek Islands and Hawaii. (1) One day in the Greek Islands, we started out heading roughly east from one island to another on a short 4-5 hour trip (the island names escape me now). A strong southerly current between islands took us severely off course during that time (no GPS, LORAN, etc., just old-fashioned charts and compass) and we ended up at the last real island north of Crete, well south of our intended destination. We even almost missed that island, because we did not recognize it from the chart as our destination, and thought it impossible that we could have drifted that far south. We settled on making port at that island only because no other land was visible and it was getting dark. Had we missed it and kept sailing, we would have been lost. (2) Hawaii was difficult simply because between islands, the Pacific was very choppy, even with relatively light winds. I've never been sicker on a boat before or since.
My vote is a tie between the Greek Islands and Hawaii. (1) One day in the Greek Islands, we started out heading roughly east from one island to another on a short 4-5 hour trip (the island names escape me now). A strong southerly current between islands took us severely off course during that time (no GPS, LORAN, etc., just old-fashioned charts and compass) and we ended up at the last real island north of Crete, well south of our intended destination. We even almost missed that island, because we did not recognize it from the chart as our destination, and thought it impossible that we could have drifted that far south. We settled on making port at that island only because no other land was visible and it was getting dark. Had we missed it and kept sailing, we would have been lost. (2) Hawaii was difficult simply because between islands, the Pacific was very choppy, even with relatively light winds. I've never been sicker on a boat before or since.
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ted
northern waters
ive seen 16 to 20 ft seas in the north gulf coast of alaska (fairweather grounds). the real problem is there was no wind.
ive seen 16 to 20 ft seas in the north gulf coast of alaska (fairweather grounds). the real problem is there was no wind.
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Ron Hughes
And the winner in my mind is.......
Sorry guys, but the mouth of the Columbia River has it all: massive amounts of extra water(2-4 knots)all of the time, fog, rain, ocean swell, ocean current, tidal current, close proximity to land, shallows, constant shipping traffic both in and out(no room for a separation zone),a huge "Dangerous wave Zone". Even on calm sunny days if you don't hit it at exactly slack water you can expect huge waves. There are wrecks aplenty on your charts to attest to this. All shipping is required to have a local pilot on board before entering the Columbia. It gives(or should give) the river sailors great pause when they consider their first crossing of the Columbia River Bar. It's almost like lake sailing if you are inside, then its crazy going over and you are deposited in the open ocean with the nearest ports many hours away at a sailboat's 6 knots or so. Respect it, prepare for it, for it's the only way out of here and back by boat. Ron
Sorry guys, but the mouth of the Columbia River has it all: massive amounts of extra water(2-4 knots)all of the time, fog, rain, ocean swell, ocean current, tidal current, close proximity to land, shallows, constant shipping traffic both in and out(no room for a separation zone),a huge "Dangerous wave Zone". Even on calm sunny days if you don't hit it at exactly slack water you can expect huge waves. There are wrecks aplenty on your charts to attest to this. All shipping is required to have a local pilot on board before entering the Columbia. It gives(or should give) the river sailors great pause when they consider their first crossing of the Columbia River Bar. It's almost like lake sailing if you are inside, then its crazy going over and you are deposited in the open ocean with the nearest ports many hours away at a sailboat's 6 knots or so. Respect it, prepare for it, for it's the only way out of here and back by boat. Ron
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Charles Duhon
Emotionaly Challenging . . .
Because of careers and other reasons we are cursed with sailing on the small land-locked lake Ray Hubbard just east of Dallas Texas. The "sailing conditions" are great, but with only 3 x 8 miles of water we find ourselves sailing south till we get to the dam and muttering "DAMN" and heading north only to do it again and again . . . Here's a twist, we often dream of sailing more challenging waters . . . till I read the scary stories about such places! We like the Pensacola/Destin Florida area so please don't write any scary things about that area. Charles & Lynn Duhon "Artistry"
Because of careers and other reasons we are cursed with sailing on the small land-locked lake Ray Hubbard just east of Dallas Texas. The "sailing conditions" are great, but with only 3 x 8 miles of water we find ourselves sailing south till we get to the dam and muttering "DAMN" and heading north only to do it again and again . . . Here's a twist, we often dream of sailing more challenging waters . . . till I read the scary stories about such places! We like the Pensacola/Destin Florida area so please don't write any scary things about that area. Charles & Lynn Duhon "Artistry"
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mark schaefer
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Paul Akers
Cape Cod Canal
The west end of the Cape Cod Canal at Buzzard's Bay, tide ebbing and the opposing afternoon SW wind all combine to give steep 8-10 footers, a 3+ knot tide against you when you're trying to get into Onset Harbor.
The west end of the Cape Cod Canal at Buzzard's Bay, tide ebbing and the opposing afternoon SW wind all combine to give steep 8-10 footers, a 3+ knot tide against you when you're trying to get into Onset Harbor.
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Bruce Hill
Just returned from the beautiful Atlantic...
...and had the snot kicked out of us! Had a chance to help a friend deliver his Morris 38 from Bass Harbor Maine to Rock Hall MD. Made it to Atlantic City and took a break at the Claridge to count surviviors and body parts, as well as to sort out personal possessions. My vote starts at the mouth of Onset Bay where we were fortunate enough to hit a rock, and continues on around Long Island with winds and waves building for 3 days. Never thought a good old Lake Michigan thunderstorm would be a welcome sight! Oh, by the way, the trip was fun and worth it...all are safe, tired, boat has a really neat nick in the keel. Think I'll scratch "delivery captain" off my list of career choices!
...and had the snot kicked out of us! Had a chance to help a friend deliver his Morris 38 from Bass Harbor Maine to Rock Hall MD. Made it to Atlantic City and took a break at the Claridge to count surviviors and body parts, as well as to sort out personal possessions. My vote starts at the mouth of Onset Bay where we were fortunate enough to hit a rock, and continues on around Long Island with winds and waves building for 3 days. Never thought a good old Lake Michigan thunderstorm would be a welcome sight! Oh, by the way, the trip was fun and worth it...all are safe, tired, boat has a really neat nick in the keel. Think I'll scratch "delivery captain" off my list of career choices!
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Wayne
I hear and have read accounts of the southern ocean below latitude 40 south is very challenging. (The roaring 40's) Rounding cape horn also has its share of challenges over the years. I don't expect to ever be adventurous enough to visit this area of the world in a cruising sailboat. I will settle for the peacful enjoyment of the Bahamas or the Caribbean.
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red
cowes
cowes, the isle of wight, this last week - see the london times and press back in england for last week's royal regatta. red.
cowes, the isle of wight, this last week - see the london times and press back in england for last week's royal regatta. red.
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Scottie
Near Diamond Shoals/Hatteras, NC
Steer clear, boys. A Nor'easter here will be the death of ya. Always a hoot to be sailing along at night at 7 knots and the depth sounder alarm go off in the middle of nowhere(80 fathoms to 4 in a matter of seconds). God bless the Diamond Shoals Lighthouse!
Steer clear, boys. A Nor'easter here will be the death of ya. Always a hoot to be sailing along at night at 7 knots and the depth sounder alarm go off in the middle of nowhere(80 fathoms to 4 in a matter of seconds). God bless the Diamond Shoals Lighthouse!
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ss
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Thorp Thomas
Hell week in paradise
I vote with Paul, The CC Canal has been a real challenge many of times for me. However. While I was delivering a charter boat from Tortilla to St. Marten I soon found out why they call that stretch the "Washing Machine". To make it even more exciting they required us do it at night (they don't want you arriving in St. Marten in the dark). I now know why there is a reason they discount your charter fee by half.. What trip.... The entire crew was seasick, 1 crewmember in the hospital in Anguella (sp) for a week with a near amputation of the leg, Anguella immigration was looking to throw me in jail (illegal entry into the country, while looking for medical help), but I got out of Dodge while they weren’t looking. Then we spent the rest of the week circling the island (coming a shore after hours) while waiting for a decision on our crewmember's status.
I vote with Paul, The CC Canal has been a real challenge many of times for me. However. While I was delivering a charter boat from Tortilla to St. Marten I soon found out why they call that stretch the "Washing Machine". To make it even more exciting they required us do it at night (they don't want you arriving in St. Marten in the dark). I now know why there is a reason they discount your charter fee by half.. What trip.... The entire crew was seasick, 1 crewmember in the hospital in Anguella (sp) for a week with a near amputation of the leg, Anguella immigration was looking to throw me in jail (illegal entry into the country, while looking for medical help), but I got out of Dodge while they weren’t looking. Then we spent the rest of the week circling the island (coming a shore after hours) while waiting for a decision on our crewmember's status.
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Shawn R.T. Severn
Oregon and North California Coast
I am surprised that there is not a vote for the stretch between Columbia River and Point Conception, CA. These water have all of the ingredients to flatten the most experienced sailors. Either lots of wind or no wind, contrary seas, cold temperatures (even in the summer) and cold water. The fog on the West Coast gives new meaning to "Fogged-in". We have seen fog so thick that the front of the boat can't be seen from the back. This stuff would even tax the imagination of the writers of the X-files. There are relatively few places to hide when it gets nasty. Those places that do exist are hard or impossible to get into when it does get nasty. It's the only place where I have heard the Coast Guard tell us that no matter how bad it is at sea the conditions on the bar were worse!!! Now that my friends is a truely nasty place!
I am surprised that there is not a vote for the stretch between Columbia River and Point Conception, CA. These water have all of the ingredients to flatten the most experienced sailors. Either lots of wind or no wind, contrary seas, cold temperatures (even in the summer) and cold water. The fog on the West Coast gives new meaning to "Fogged-in". We have seen fog so thick that the front of the boat can't be seen from the back. This stuff would even tax the imagination of the writers of the X-files. There are relatively few places to hide when it gets nasty. Those places that do exist are hard or impossible to get into when it does get nasty. It's the only place where I have heard the Coast Guard tell us that no matter how bad it is at sea the conditions on the bar were worse!!! Now that my friends is a truely nasty place!
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