Nice write up, hope our paths cross as I get more time to venture into the Gulf Islands. If you want/need another ST3000 I have the one I took off Mahalo in my hell room I was going to try and sell (cheap).
Les
Les
Trip from San Francisco to British Columbia
- Thread starter Stu Jackson
- Start date
Hi Stu,
That was quite an adventure! I've enjoyed reading through it if not fully every sentence so far. Clearly, harbor hopping along our western NA coastline presents many challenges as to when and where, etc., to pull in. Your report is a valuable contribution to all of us who might follow. However, I can now appreciate why the so-called preferred route is to sail to Hawaii and then northwest to the latitude of the westerlies and then back across toward east. If it were me going up the coast I think I'd at least double my fuel tankage so as to skip harbor stops when possible.
I was intrigued with your account of the anchor dragging/fouling in Drakes Bay considering all that has been discussed here regarding anchor types, holding powers, and scope. Sailing all the way back into SF Bay with an anchor, chain, and rode hanging from the prop? I'm glad you escaped the lee shore under sail, but what if the anchor had fouled on something later and stymied your departure or passage into SF Bay? Was it not possible to heave-to and recover the anchor on-board at the site, even if the rode remained fouled on the prop, for the sail home?
That was quite an adventure! I've enjoyed reading through it if not fully every sentence so far. Clearly, harbor hopping along our western NA coastline presents many challenges as to when and where, etc., to pull in. Your report is a valuable contribution to all of us who might follow. However, I can now appreciate why the so-called preferred route is to sail to Hawaii and then northwest to the latitude of the westerlies and then back across toward east. If it were me going up the coast I think I'd at least double my fuel tankage so as to skip harbor stops when possible.
I was intrigued with your account of the anchor dragging/fouling in Drakes Bay considering all that has been discussed here regarding anchor types, holding powers, and scope. Sailing all the way back into SF Bay with an anchor, chain, and rode hanging from the prop? I'm glad you escaped the lee shore under sail, but what if the anchor had fouled on something later and stymied your departure or passage into SF Bay? Was it not possible to heave-to and recover the anchor on-board at the site, even if the rode remained fouled on the prop, for the sail home?
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I've started to add photos.
Going out today with "Hello Below" to try out the repaired autopilot from Dan in Colorado.
Going out today with "Hello Below" to try out the repaired autopilot from Dan in Colorado.
Fantastic Voyage, Stu! I'm glad you were able to pass by Cape Flattery before the fog. Sue & I were amazed by the scenery, but from land. I would count that as a major event, turning the corner on your sailboat.
Stu:
Wonderful that you have posted your log of Aqauvite's northerly progression through what has got to be one of the most challenging and "safe harbor" restrictive coastal voyages. What an adventure! Thank you for sharing.
I have been to Pt. Reyes, Bodega Bay, Fort Bragg, Eureka, Crescent City, Brookings, Coos Bay, Vitoria .... and even a few other ports along the coast US Northwest Coast that weren't on your port-of call list. But all either where IN MY CAR or ON MERCHANT OIL TANKERS (35+ years ago).
Never motoring/sailing in/out with my 1980 Hunter sailboat.
Going north by sea is an "in my dreams" adventure. But I know it will never happen.
Several times my wife and I have stayed at Fort Bragg's North Cliff Hotel which looks directly down at the Noyo harbor channel entrance. (http://northcliffhotel.net/). We have observed the strong swells and wind and capricious coming and going of the fog.
Agreed: A commercial fisherman on a boat powered by a couple of strong diesel engines and having years of experience with the tide/winds//currents could come and go with confidence. But me on an old 36' sailboat with a 22 HP Yanmar diesel that has been in service since 1980? Besides my limited experience level, my boat just doesn't have the mojo to power away from a problem. Would be nerve wracking for sure.
Sorry to lose you as a San Francisco Bay sailor.
But Vancouver Island ain't a bad alternative.
Wonderful that you have posted your log of Aqauvite's northerly progression through what has got to be one of the most challenging and "safe harbor" restrictive coastal voyages. What an adventure! Thank you for sharing.
I have been to Pt. Reyes, Bodega Bay, Fort Bragg, Eureka, Crescent City, Brookings, Coos Bay, Vitoria .... and even a few other ports along the coast US Northwest Coast that weren't on your port-of call list. But all either where IN MY CAR or ON MERCHANT OIL TANKERS (35+ years ago).
Never motoring/sailing in/out with my 1980 Hunter sailboat.
Going north by sea is an "in my dreams" adventure. But I know it will never happen.
Several times my wife and I have stayed at Fort Bragg's North Cliff Hotel which looks directly down at the Noyo harbor channel entrance. (http://northcliffhotel.net/). We have observed the strong swells and wind and capricious coming and going of the fog.
Agreed: A commercial fisherman on a boat powered by a couple of strong diesel engines and having years of experience with the tide/winds//currents could come and go with confidence. But me on an old 36' sailboat with a 22 HP Yanmar diesel that has been in service since 1980? Besides my limited experience level, my boat just doesn't have the mojo to power away from a problem. Would be nerve wracking for sure.
Sorry to lose you as a San Francisco Bay sailor.
But Vancouver Island ain't a bad alternative.
We received our repaired autopilot from Dan the other day. My friend Len and I took Aquavite out this afternoon and recalibrated the unit. It now works perfectly.
One satisfied customer here.
One satisfied customer here.
I'm not sure I understand. I yanked my shoulder trying to pull the line with the anchor out of the water. I couldn't. I tied the line off and we sailed back. The anchor DID foul on something later: the bottom in Sausalito.I'm glad you escaped the lee shore under sail, but what if the anchor had fouled on something later and stymied your departure or passage into SF Bay? Was it not possible to heave-to and recover the anchor on-board at the site, even if the rode remained fouled on the prop, for the sail home?
Easier to say later, you weren't there, I tried, really, to do what you suggest. It wasn't gonna happen and it didn't. Follow: anchor, rode, wrap, line to bow. There was no way to undo the wrap on the prop shaft from up above. I tried, see above.
Yes, but then you'd have to sail at night. That was not the concept.
The 13 hour trip from Grays Harbor to Lapush was more than enough.
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They have a great restaurant, too. My son, who thought the cruise was a restaurant after restaurant tour (!) liked it the best. Great cappuccino, I'm told. I had the prime rib!
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Fuel management seems to have been spot on. I can imagine the trepidation for the anchorages. Shelter Cove and Port Orford look reasonably protected (looking at Google Maps) but Cape Lookout doesn't look very forgiving at all. One tough night out of the three doesn't sound like a bad deal, but going thru it at the time can't be very comforting while waiting for the sun to come up!
Actually Cape Lookout has a great reputation in northerly winds. I made the mistake of going there with south winds and conditions were worse than forecast. Bad night, but we survived. Thank that Rocna!
Stu: that restaurant at Noyo has a great view! The entrance to that harbor is nasty with those big rollers chasing you in. My sister owned the greenery business and home on hwy 20 looking down into Noyo harbor. Chief
Please do look at Stu's photos and specifically: "Entering Noyo River Fort Bragg"
To expand on my post #25 yesterday, I subsequently found a pic I took a couple of years ago of the Fort Bragg Noyo Harbor entrance at sunset from our hotel room at the North Cliff Hotel. Shows different perspective of the Noyo Harbor entrance. Narrow, rocky, swell infested. The next evening, nothing was visible from our hotel room. The fog obscured all. I recall that the fog rolled in over the course of 5 minutes! Imagine that you needed to gain safe harbor. And this was the only option for +50 miles either north or south. The North Cliff Hotel is pictured in the upper left of Stu's photo.
Stu you had a real adventure sailing/navigating up the coast.
Attachments
What do you think led to the failure in the first place? Just one of those things, I guess....I'm not sure I understand. I yanked my shoulder trying to pull the line with the anchor out of the water. I couldn't. I tied the line off and we sailed back. The anchor DID foul on something later: the bottom in Sausalito.
Follow: anchor, rode, wrap, line to bow. There was no way to undo the wrap on the prop shaft from up above. I tried, see above.
Sorry. Follow: reach over the weather side near where the prop is located and snag the line where it is going directly down from the prop to the chain and anchor dangling below. A hove-to boat making some leeway might expose the line out some from directly beneath the boat especially if the anchor is touching the bottom anywhere. Also, might be able to get both crew working on getting it snagged and hauled up, etc.I'm not sure I understand. I yanked my shoulder trying to pull the line with the anchor out of the water. I couldn't. I tied the line off and we sailed back. The anchor DID foul on something later: the bottom in Sausalito.
Follow: anchor, rode, wrap, line to bow. There was no way to undo the wrap on the prop shaft from up above. I tried, see above.
Nice write up, Stu. Felt like I was there with you during your travels. Keep us posted on your local whereabouts. Do you plan on spending any time around the San Juan Islands? A rendezvous would be great.
I grew up on the Willapa River, just south of Grays Harbor. Spent my younger adult years between Crescent City, Brookings, Port Orford, etc. Married in North Bend a twin city to Coos Bay.
I grew up on the Willapa River, just south of Grays Harbor. Spent my younger adult years between Crescent City, Brookings, Port Orford, etc. Married in North Bend a twin city to Coos Bay.
Once he proved it servicable, Stu had a smile on his face for the remaining 4 hours yesterday. I really do think he missed his autopilot.
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I've updated the photos up to rounding "The Corner" at Cape Flattery and into Neah Bay.
Here's a link to finding Dan in Colorado and getting your old Raymarine equipment repaired:
http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,7129.0.html
Alan, the winds were gusting beyond 30 knots. Sand bottom. I didn't set the anchor, my crew did, in 25 knot winds. I've been there before in 20+ winds. It was not our best hour. Those came later!
Here's a link to finding Dan in Colorado and getting your old Raymarine equipment repaired:
http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,7129.0.html