Tripping Accross the Bar
Bob, I have made the trip accross the Columbia Bar several times. Trip to Gray's Harbor, Westport, will take you about 6-7 hours after you cross. The problem is that the wind is normally right on the nose. You can sail out, but when you tack back you only make a few miles up the coast. It is sometimes wise to sail and then motor or motorsail the rest of the way. As far as crossing the bar, I try to make it a habit of crossing at about 34th to and hour after low tide. This seems to be best. My first crossing I was early and it was a wild ride. One thing to look out for is the crab pots. They are all over and if you get the float caught in your prop or around the rudder, it will make for a bad trip. Camelot, our C42 is, currently on G row at Tomahawk, but we will be heading back to Astoria the morning of July 1st. Have a good trip. If you need more info, send me an e-mail at camelot@jps.net. Bob Teeter
