At Crescent City, CA

N 41 44.861, W 124 11.024
Left Saturday, 9/11 @ 6:30 am, Arrive Sunday, 9/12 @ noon
Winds: 0 - 33 knots
Seas: 8 foot swell with 4 foot seas
Skies: Clear, no moon, fog on arrival
Distance: 192 miles

We just got in and tied up to what we think is the transient dock. Rich made some BLTs and now we are going to rest.

The gribs predicted 0 - 20 knots but we had 0 - 33. Luckily the seas were with the wind so it was not a bash as it was between Westport and Newport. We looked for a green flash at sunset but no joy. The moon was just a sliver and provided no light.

Occasionally we had porpoises join us. They would race along the boat and dive under the bow. Sometimes there would be several of them. Then they would suddenly disappear without so much as a "So long and thanks for all the fish".

We are going to check the gribs and see when we will continue. The weather report on the VHF was indicating gusts to 35 knots tonight and tomorrow. Hmm....

No worries,
SV Windarra

To Portland and back

N 44 37.441, W 124 03.135
Newport, Oregon

While I was doing laundry and Rich was checking the hydraulics, Adam and Cindy of SV Bravo arrived with 2 other crew members.

Rich went and picked up the rental car and we drove to Portland to visit Sarah, Jesse and his fiancee, Rae. We took everyone out to dinner including Sarah's roommate, Jess. We stayed at a hotel near the airport, the first time we have slept on land since leaving in June.

Thursday we had lunch with Sarah, Jesse and Rae before returning to Newport. We did a little provisioning on the way.

We had a great time visiting with our kids and catching up with them. Rae recently returned from a visit to the Galapagos and we enjoyed seeing her videos.

Based on the gribs we are planning on leaving on Saturday for Crescent City, California.

No worries,
SV Windarra

Bash, Bash, Bashed

N 44 37.441, W 124 03.135
Newport, Oregon
Winds: 2.3 - 26 knots
Seas: 8 foot swell with 7 foot seas
Skies: Overcast, fog, rain
Distance: 160 miles

We left on Monday morning, with the idea from the gribs that the winds would be 5-15 knots starting from the south and moving to the northwest. A light pattern. The fact that the winds were 10-15 knots at Westport in the harbor made us think that it would lighten as the day when on. No such luck.

As we crossed the bar, the winds built to 20-25 knots from the south and the seas were short and choppy. We had water over the bow and running towards us in the cockpit. We like the new dodger as it has a gasket that helps keep the water from coming underneath and soaking the cockpit. This time we stayed relatively dry but we did have a lot of water down the anchor hawser. (Note to self: remember to stuff something in the anchor hawser before the next passage). At one point we were only making 3-4 knots, speed over the ground. It took forever to pass the entrance to the Columbia River.

Around 4:30 pm on Monday, the seas started to abate and the winds lightened. We now had a favorable current as well and our speed over the ground was averaging 7 knots with highs as much as 8.5 knots. This certainly helped our attitudes.

At 9:30 am on Tuesday morning we were ready to head across the bar into Newport, Oregon. A tug and barge decided to come out, so we had to turn back and wait for them to pass. On the way through the breakwater we passed Ponderosa, a fellow yacht from "E" dock at Shilshole Marina, they were headed to Coos Bay and points south. Its a small world after all. After a quick stop at the fuel dock by 11:00 am we were tied up at the marina. Rich and I are tired and feeling beat up. Mandu, on the other hand, having slept most of the way, was energetic, awake and feeling curious. Go figure.

We plan to go up to Portland to visit with Sarah, Jesse and Rae. We will touch base later.

No worries,

SV Windarra

Still at Westport, still

N 46 54.615, W 124 06.717
Westport, Washington, USA

We are still at Westport. The last night's gribs were not showing favorable conditions until Monday.

We will check tonight's gribs.... Hoping to leave Monday morning for Newport, Oregon.

No worries
SV Windarra

Still at Westport

N 46 54.615, W 124 06.717
Westport, Washington, USA

We are still at Westport. The last night's gribs were not showing favorable conditions until Monday. Even the fishermen are staying in.

So we walked around town and went out to lunch. In the afternoon we went to the fuel dock. Mandu is so trained that after the boat started moving he came up to the cockpit and lied down. He was a little miffed that his bed was not already in place but got over it once we returned to the dock.

We will check tonight's gribs....

No worries
SV Windarra

Arrived at Westport

N 46 54.615, W 124 06.717
Westport, Washington, USA
Winds 0 - 21
Seas 1-2 meters
Skies Clear Mostly, but fog over Straits and near entry to Westport

In 24 hours we covered 142 miles from the west coast of Vancouver Island to Westport. We motorsailed most of the way. As soon as we did try just sailing, the winds decreased and we were doing less then 3 knots, sails slatting, etc.

Crossing the Straits of Juan de Fuca themselves was not a big deal. Crossing traffic was. AIS is great by the way. We are able to get speed over the ground, course, closest point of approach and time to closest point of approach for the ships coming in (1 cruise ship, 2 bulk carriers). This way we were able to time crossing the traffic lanes. Imagine you are trying to cross a street, with no traffic lights and a Winnebago and 2 semis are coming down the road on after the other. You are riding a bicycle and can not peddle faster or even half as fast as the traffic. Now try to cross the street, knowing that when you start across, none of the traffic can stop or see you other than radar and AIS. Besides if you stopped in front of them, they would run you over before they could stop. Now, cross the street. This is what it was like.

Entering Westport and crossing the bar was an experience. Not as bad as some places in Australia (near Fraser Island) but still interesting. There was plenty of boat traffic, commercial fishing boats, sport fishers, large car carriers, etc. Throw in some swells, some fog, and folks who are too anxious to go out there and catch the big one before anyone else and you have the conditions.

We are safe and sound at the marina's transient dock. Time to check the gribs to see if we push on tomorrow to Newport, Oregon. Maybe some dinner at the One-eyed Crab.

No worries,
SV Windarra

Effingham Island

N 48 52.627, W 125 18.483
Effingham Island, Barclay Sound

Yesterday we did some provisioning between the rain drops. This morning before leaving we filled our water tanks. Right now we are anchored in a small bay next to Effingham Island. We have it all to ourselves. Barclay Sound is a popular place to go cruising on the west side of Vancouver Island. On the other side of Effingham Island is the remains of a First Nations village. We hiked there when we visited here many moons ago. You can see the midden and where the long house was. The trail is rough, indicated by bits of colored string and yarn on branches and tree trunks.

Tomorrow we leave for Westport, WA and to check back into the US. It is about 140 miles so we will arrive sometime on Friday.

No worries,
SV Windarra