Port Townsend to Sidney

[Seattle Scott]

As in Sidney British Columbia.

I am going to cross the straight next week ( first time). Boat goes about 6 knts over ground under power. What is the common wisdom as to timing heading north from Pt. Wilson, max ebb or before max ebb or do you want to be in a certain place in the straight at slack and then work backwards to calculate passing Pt. Wilson. Current plan for Agust 18 is to leave Shilshoal at 5 a.m. which is high slack, figure get a little push along the way ( The ebb is a 9 foot tide) and averge 7 knts SOG and hit Pt. Wilson at 9:00 a.m. at mix ebb of about 2.7 knts. Low slack is about noon then I should get a push north toward Sidney. I figure about an 8 hour trip if I can average 8 knts SOG. Am I on the right track? Do I have time for a dog pit stop at Pt. Hudson Marina?

 

[Bob V]

You need two ebb tides

One to get you to Port Townsend in about 4 to 5 hours. The next one comes along the next morning and pushes you West along the strait as you sail north towards the islands. Otherwise you have to fight the flood tide all day as you work your way NorthWest across the strait. The easiest winds for crossing the strait come in the morning usually.

Alternately you could take a long break in Port Townsend and sail to Sydney at night. High slack is at 1930 and that leaves 45 minutes to sunset.

 

[Ken13531]

Customs stop???

You are crossing a border. I do not know if there is a Canadian Border services office in Sidney. I know there is one at Poets Cove on South Pender and another further west in Victoria. If you have not made the crossing I would check this out thoroughly before leaving. It may change your sail plan. Have a nice trip and smile for the customs man.
Fair Winds

 

[Seattle Scott]

Ken there is custom's dock in Sidney

But what I am really asking is when should I be passing Pt. Wilson going north in referene to time of max ebb which is 9:00 a.m. Yes, I know to do a morning crossing of the Straight either going north or south and have a following current.

 

[Dave Groshong]

Shilshole marine to Friday Harbor

Was custom made to do in one shot, about 10hrs 45 minutes on my boat. Leaving Shilshole early early on a slack going to an ebb works best. By the time you've crossed the strait, it's coming back on a flood and pushes you right up San Juan channel.

The only problem with stopping in PT, is you have to watch out for a strong flood at Point Wilson (under powered engine!), but you want the flood when you're clearing the strait and heading north, I like San Juan channel, but it's near impossible for me to fight an ebb there going north.

 

[CharlieCobra]

I'd leave at the start of the Ebb

That way ya get a push from the Flood. The currents around here ain't no joke.

 

[Seattle Scott]

thanks guys

for confirming the general considerations. I am going to leave Seattle an hour before high slack, hope for a little southerly breeze and that Canadian Customs doesn't ask about how much beer aboard.