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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Tacoma Narrows

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River Harley
Navigator

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132 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/18/2003 : 19:02:07

I have my vessel in south Puget Sound and want to make my first passage through the Tacoma Narrows. I have read conflicting advice about this journey. Some sources seem to indicate a considerable amount of info. and preparation is required. Others say it's a "piece of cake," particularly for a boat the size of the 250. Does anyone have any first hand experience / advice? Thanks

River Harley

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Bill Holcomb
Admiral

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USA
769 Posts

Response Posted - 08/19/2003 : 09:21:12

Like many places in Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, et al; the main thing to do is pre-plan your trip so that you pass through the Narrows at slack water. If you do this, it will be a "piece of cake". If you don't, you complicate things a lot.

Get a good tide and current atlas. Captain Jacks or the Weatherly Guide are my favorites. Study the atlas for the day you want to make your trip. You'll quickly see a couple of "best" times for the passage through the Narrows.

Bill Holcomb - C25 Snickerdoodle #4839

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River Harley
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132 Posts

Response Posted - 08/19/2003 : 22:21:47

Thanks Bill....What about traveling with the tide? Or, is it still best to aim for slack tide?

RH

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Bill Holcomb
Admiral

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769 Posts

Response Posted - 08/20/2003 : 10:10:50

You wrote, "What about traveling with the tide? Or, is it still best to aim for slack tide"

Of course it depends on the current flow. According to the tide tables, the maximum current flows through the Narrows at between 1.5 and 4.9 knots. If this flow is against the wind's direction, you could encounter significant waves. The "rule" of one knot of current against the wind roughly doubles the "normal" wave height. So, five knot currents can create spectacular conditions.

Also, especially on the flood tide, you often get the current traveling both North and South - at the same time - in the Narrows. Typically, North on the East 1/3 of the pass and South in the middle and West 1/3. Typically, the South current is about twice as strong as the North current.

With a theoretical hull speed of around 6.2 knots, your C250 might be pretty difficult to control safely in these conditions. For my money, I'd advise aiming for slack water. I generally take the attitude that my crew often prefers to remember the romance of sailing NOT the adventure of sailing.

For additional info, perhaps contact Doug Young (an experienced sailor who used to own a C25 in Tacoma) dgyoung50@msn.com
or Jim Hettinger (Catalina Association of Tacoma and South Sound) jhettinger@uswest.net
Both should be able to give you some practical info.

Bill Holcomb - C25 Snickerdoodle #4839

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/20/2003 : 11:10:20

River: Think of it this way... If you are traveling with a 5 knot current (?!) you can easily make 10 knots over the bottom, but if you need, for example, to give way to traffic, you can only slow down to about 5 knots (normal cruising speed) at which point you have no steerage, and you can stop only by turning the boat around and throttling up. If you're drifting toward a bridge piling, you'll need to substantially oversteer to miss it. If you just float along at 5 knots, you have no steerage or control over the boat--the current will take you where it wants, probably broadside to the waves.

As for a wind opposing the current, I have lots of experience with that, with 3 knots current against, say, 15 knots wind... The waves become short, almost vertical, and nearly double their normal height. It happens off the point by our club twice every day when the wind is blowing.

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

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Tony Dillon
Navigator

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USA
168 Posts

Response Posted - 08/20/2003 : 15:02:07

Hi River,

Here is a link to a tide and current prediction program that runs under windows http://www.wxtide32.com/ It will predict tides and currents for the Tacoma Narrows.

Also if you can find a copy of Gunkholing in South Puget Sound, it has some useful information on traveling through the Narrows. The Admiral and I have made the trip a couple of times.

Tony Dillon
Mental Floss

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Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 08/26/2003 : 12:19:27

The Narrows are realy no big deal. I have been in there in all conditions. Best bet as said is slack tide. Going with the ebb is ok to and will and can give you as much as 10 kts over the ground. Stay on the west side and once through stay clear of Point Defiance. Go 1/4 mile past the north entrance before you turn east if your going to Tacoma. If your going north stay to the west and go up Colvos. Current in Colvos is always north. Be warned there is a lot of bridge construction going on now. There are many Buoys holding anchor lines for work platforms. At flood or ebb some of the bouys are draged under water so stay well clear. The water is deep and you can hug the west shore fairly close. Have fun and once through you will be at rest with doing it again. The waters at the north side can be confused and rough out in the midle If you stay to the West As I have said you will be fine.

Doug&Ruth
Triska (Alberg 29)
Tacoma Wa.

Edited by - Douglas on 08/26/2003 12:24:26

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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.