Pacific North West - November departure From Tillamook Bay to Mexico - Good or Bad idea?

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
24,888
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Looking at the image the long full hull makes the boat possible to survive this beaching. It is unclear as to why he could not stay off the beach. The image is unclear. If there was rudder trouble that could be a nonstarter. Looking at the tides. Pacific City High tide 5:39 pm 6.23 ft for today, I would be wading out into the ocean and setting an anchor to serve as a kedge to pull the boat off shore if the boat is controllable. There is an off shore breeze for the next 36 hours. There is about a 6-day window before the next series of storms show up. Then it may be just a matter of time til that boat is lost.
 
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Likes: AirSeaCaptain
Jan 1, 2006
8,167
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
First thing I would do is get the fuel off the boat.
Obviously I don’t know the geography there. But I wonder if salvage is possible. I might be looking at chain saw prices. The last boat blown on the beach on LI got cut up by volunteers. A bucket loader carried away the pieces.
Too bad that isn’t in Newport. He looks like he could use a good bar!
 
Nov 6, 2020
620
Mariner 36 California
I'd say with friends like that, who needs enemies...

The strong El Niño this year is not working in their favor. One thing you haven't listed is their ability to forecast weather or if they might be using a weather forecaster. We are now pretty much in November - October is about to say bye-bye... Did Luke do his trip in a year of El Niño or in a year of La Niña? I'm not familiar with "Sailing Song Bird" and likely won't look it up...

That's a tough coast in November if my memory serves me...

With what you have posted - I would say it's a bad idea.

But who am I to give advice to another sailor????

dj
yeah point Loma would have been scarry last weekend. We were getting 35kts sustained wind with 40kt gusts in Marina Del Rey, a very protected bay. The point must have been 40+ - 50kts easily, sustained. Within 12 miles of coast have been some serious weather recently along the California coast.
 
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jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
24,888
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Here is an update to @mermike post # 15. The location is Ocean Shore WA. Boat skipper is ok. There are facebook posts at “Ocean Shores” group that suggest he is working to get the boat off the beach.

Does anyone think the rainbow in this image is a good omen?
1793723299837.png
 
Jan 11, 2014
14,258
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
This has been an interesting thread. The original question also appeared on Sailing Anarchy and Sailnet, the internet has spoken and the unanimous opinion is this trip is a bad idea. Some responses were gentle and informative, and then there was Sailing Anarchy; a bit toned down in recent years, still with a sharp edge.
 
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Likes: AirSeaCaptain
Oct 31, 2026
2
Najad 440 Chesapeake
Here is an update to @mermike post # 15. The location is Ocean Shore WA. Boat skipper is ok. There are facebook posts at “Ocean Shores” group that suggest he is working to get the boat off the beach.

Does anyone think the rainbow in this image is a good omen?
View attachment 240434
They were able to remove the mast & standing rigging & then lift the boat with a crane & put it on a flatbed to transport.
 
Jan 1, 2006
8,167
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
Good!
If it had been a fin keel boat the fin can get into the sand pretty fast and salvage becomes much more difficult. In the aforementioned case on LI after weeks with tides in and out the boat was standing upright even though it had a 4’ fin keel. They tried digging around the keel but the cause was lost. The owner of the beach, who had amazing patience, finally blew the whistle. This is the short version. It took a long time for it to play out.
 

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
24,888
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
“Everything below the high tide mark belongs to the crown(Feds.)”

in Oregon
The Oregon Beach Bill (House Bill 1601, 1967) was a piece of landmark legislation in the U.S. state of Oregon. It established public ownership, residing with the people of the state, (no king- no crown). The land along the Oregon Coast from the water up to sixteen vertical feet above the low tidemark is open to the public.
 
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Likes: Michael Davis
Jan 5, 2017
2,495
Beneteau First 38 Lyall Harbour Saturna Island
“Everything below the high tide mark belongs to the crown(Feds.)”

in Oregon
The Oregon Beach Bill (House Bill 1601, 1967) was a piece of landmark legislation in the U.S. state of Oregon. It established public ownership, residing with the people of the state, (no king- no crown). The land along the Oregon Coast from the water up to sixteen vertical feet above the low tidemark is open to the public.
Even better
 
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Likes: jssailem
Jan 1, 2006
8,167
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
I’m not defending NY’s rules but the riparian rights date back to King James II, I think. That not withstanding the public has access to the beach below the high tide mark. But if a boat grounds in a.storm and is left above the high tide mark it is on the property owners property. I’m not a legal expert so I’m just reciting the rules as I understand them.