How much tidal range do you deal with when sailing? Is it insignificant, something you seldom think about... or does it impact your course and choice of anchorage? What aspect of sailing is most effected by the tides? Anchoring, docking, navigation, or other? Share the highs and lows of your cruising grounds here, then vote in this week's Quick Quiz at the bottom of the home page.
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At the eastern end of Long Island Sound the range is around 3 to 3 1/2 feet. The most significant impact is the tidal currents particularly in places such as "The Race" currents at time of 4+ knots or "Watch Hill Passage" 2 1/2 to 3 knots. Clearly the biggest impact is on navigation because of the currents and secondarily on anchoring because of the tidal range.
Northwest Tides and Currents
In the Northwest there are some fairly good tides, sometimes in the 16 foot range. On summer trips into British Columbia there are even larger tidal ranges. The currents created by these tides can be greater than the speed capability of the boat so it is best, if possible, to go with the flow. Sometimes even the flow is too great and it is prudent to go at slack. On the return trip this past weekend we had a choice of going through Deception Pass, current greater than 9 knots with numberous whirlpools and often debris, vs going through the Strait of Juan de Fuca with small craft warnings in the afternoon and we opted for the strait. We could have selected Deception Pass at slack but this brought up other negative options such as being headed by current all the way home. When compared to the possible small craft warnings in the Strait and going with the flow, picking up around 2 kts, well, we decided to go with the current. The currents can be put to ones advantage by catching the back-eddys and actually getting a kick. In Seymour Narrows just north of Campbell River the current often exceeds 10 knots but its easy to make better than boat speed against the current by working the back-eddys! Tip: Just follow the commercial fishing boats who often have a boat speed not much more than that of a sailboat.
In the Northwest there are some fairly good tides, sometimes in the 16 foot range. On summer trips into British Columbia there are even larger tidal ranges. The currents created by these tides can be greater than the speed capability of the boat so it is best, if possible, to go with the flow. Sometimes even the flow is too great and it is prudent to go at slack. On the return trip this past weekend we had a choice of going through Deception Pass, current greater than 9 knots with numberous whirlpools and often debris, vs going through the Strait of Juan de Fuca with small craft warnings in the afternoon and we opted for the strait. We could have selected Deception Pass at slack but this brought up other negative options such as being headed by current all the way home. When compared to the possible small craft warnings in the Strait and going with the flow, picking up around 2 kts, well, we decided to go with the current. The currents can be put to ones advantage by catching the back-eddys and actually getting a kick. In Seymour Narrows just north of Campbell River the current often exceeds 10 knots but its easy to make better than boat speed against the current by working the back-eddys! Tip: Just follow the commercial fishing boats who often have a boat speed not much more than that of a sailboat.
Final results
Final results for the Quick Quiz ending 8/28/2000: What's the tidal range where you sail? 36% Under 2' 27% 3' to 6' 18% 11' plus 18% 7' to 10'
Final results for the Quick Quiz ending 8/28/2000: What's the tidal range where you sail? 36% Under 2' 27% 3' to 6' 18% 11' plus 18% 7' to 10'
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