Portland, OR

[Rob McClain]

My wife and I are considering a few reitrement options, one of which includes keeping an ~45 boat in the Portland area where we will have kids living. I'm guessing we would switch from a sailboat to a powerboat. If we did this we would spend several weeks at a time between the boat and a house elsewhere.

I have several questions for anyone who knows about boating in Portland, Oregon. What is berthing availability like? General cost per foot? While we would not be liveabords, we would certainly want to be on board for weeks at a time. Any idea how the marinas would view/handle this? What would be good references to better learn about boating in that area? Thanks for any feedback!

Rob

 

[Ed Schenck]

I'm guessing too Rob. That your line about "switching to a powerboat" might not get you too much help.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Oh, sure it will.

We have a handful of C34s in the Portland area. There's a relatively brand new marina right downtown in the City of Bridges.

Most of the boating is done on the Columbia River. The dams have locks to get from section to section. The Wilamette River has good fishing.

The Columbia River Gorge is spectacular.

If I was looking for myself, I'd simply Google "boating Portalnd, OR" or "marinas in Portland OR" and read away.

There may be some residents who can tell you much more on a personal level.

 

[sinnettc]

There are a lot of marinas in Portland, both covered (for your future stinkpot) and uncovered if you decide to go sail. There are several around Hayden Island, which is in the Columbia right off I-5. There are also a few on the Willamette that might require bridges to be raised if you go with sail. There are a lot of sailboats up there. Unfortunately I can't tell you much else, as I haven't sailed in Portland yet. We're going up there at the end of September for Sail for the Cure.

Here's some info that might be useful to you:

http://www.boatoregon.com/OSMB/library/docs/Boating_In_Oregon.pdf

http://www.boatoregon.com/OSMB/library/docs/09-11FacilitiesGuideWeb.pdf

 

[Stu Jackson]

One of the tech editors of the C36 Association, Larry Brandt, keeps his boat in Portland and reports cruises over the Columbia River Bar. Read his reports on the Cruising Discussion on the C36 Message Board, via www.c36ia.org, Forum. Great writing.

 

[Freedom77]

Don't know much about Marinas, etc but DON'T miss Voodoo Donuts. One of a kind.
You're thinking about a stinkpot? I know where you can get an exorcism. Fair Winds, Old Salt...

 

[Rob McClain]

Thanks for the feedback! Lots of research to do as we consider this and that is always part of the fun. No idea what we'll decide to do. Folks in this forum are always full of great feedback. One of the options is certainly to take our present boat up north. We love the boat, but the issue is that my wife has a back problem and it can be uncomfortable for her.

I was raised with a 37' Chris Craft in the family (starting ~50 yrs ago) and as far as I'm concerned it's all about messing around in boats - doesn't matter the type or size, it's being on the water and enjoying yourself. Sailing is wonderful but I can always do that in a dinghy if we go with power. Being on the water is what counts to me - boating is a brotherhood regardless of propulsion.

Rob

 

[Freedom77]

Portland

thanks For The Feedback! Lots Of Research To Do As We Consider This And That Is Always Part Of The Fun. No Idea What We'll Decide To Do. Folks In This Forum Are Always Full Of Great Feedback. One Of The Options Is Certainly To Take Our Present Boat Up North. We Love The Boat, But The Issue Is That My Wife Has A Back Problem And It Can Be Uncomfortable For Her.

I Was Raised With A 37' Chris Craft In The Family (starting ~50 Yrs Ago) And As Far As I'm Concerned It's All About Messing Around In Boats - Doesn't Matter The Type Or Size, It's Being On The Water And Enjoying Yourself. Sailing Is Wonderful But I Can Always Do That In A Dinghy If We Go With Power. Being On The Water Is What Counts To Me - Boating Is A Brotherhood Regardless Of Propulsion.

Rob

Amen Brother!!

 

[Jeff B.]

Hi there,
I recently moved my 30' sailboat to Portland from Seattle, and I second the recommendation for Hayden Island. There are a few marinas there, all of which I believe allow liveaboards. My moorage comes in at $175 at McCuddy's marina, and I think it's $250 for a 36' slip. You can size up from there.

There's a good mix of power and sailboats, and the stretch of the river between the I-5 bridge and the airport is always full of daysailors if you're out for just a quick jaunt. If you're interested in longer trips, you can take the river all the way up past The Dalles or down to Astoria and the ocean if that's your cup of tea. There are a number of cruising guides for the Columbia, some available online, if you want to know more about the experience.

In short, the river is awfully pretty with lots of little islands and gunkhole spots, and you get solid winds most days, but you'll of course be facing the Pacific NW 4-month ideal sailing season and if you stick with the sailboat you'll end up tacking more than you would on a more open waterway. I'd probably choose Seattle for the cruising options if that's your thing, but Portland has its charms and has been just fine for us so far.

Good luck with your decision.