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Portland to Astoria, Columbia River Advice?

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lovelady007
Deckhand

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USA
9 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/03/2010 : 18:09:33

After two years of getting friendly with our Catalina 25 my wife and I are mulling over a cruise down the Columbia from our moorage in Portland to Astoria and back (and no, we won't be going anywhere near the bar!) and wanted to know if there was anyone in the forum that had done it before, or had thoughts about it.

In the sprit of full disclosure, the 78 nm run back to Portland with the Columbia's 1-2 knot current seems like it could be a slog... but then again, the whole point for us would be to take our time, enjoy the ride ;) So... any Columbia river sailors that would care to chime in? Advice on anchorages on the way down? Transient moorage to top up batteries and pump out? How many days to plan for on the way down -vs- back (I was thinking 2 down and 3 or 4 back given how unreliable the winds on the Columbia can be)? Etc... etc... This would be our first real cruise longer than a weekend anchor out so, I'm sure there's a ton of things we may not be thinking of that that would be invaluable to get advice on.

For reference, here's how we're rigged:

FK / TR
135% Roller w/ Loose Footed Main
18 gal water
18 gal holding
2 batteries (78 ah each)
Mercury 9.9 OB with 9 gal tank and 5A alternator (burns aprox .7 gph at cruise which is just under hull speed)

As I said above will be our first real cruise so we're open to any and all advice. Also, I'm sure this seems like a pretty tame cruise to most on the forum but hey, we all have to start somewhere ;)

Mike Lovelady
s/v Lethe
1982 25 #3149 FK/TR
Portland, OR

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JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2010 : 19:30:42

Tame or not, it sounds like a fun cruise in a beautiful area! There have been some Columbia River sailors on the Forum.

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2010 : 13:33:09

I can't help but will keep my eye on this thread. We have thought about the same cruise. It should be beautiful.

Don't forget the San Juans and Canadian Gulf Islands are just three hours up I5. Loads of fun and easy cruising with lots of destinations.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 05/04/2010 13:36:40

mytime25
1st Mate

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USA
50 Posts

Response Posted - 08/13/2010 : 21:49:58

Did you ever take the cruise to Astoria ?

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.