Deception Pass at Max Flood
- Thread starter Sarge
- Start date
Sarge,
We came through with the current at +6.5 Kts. aftre FH this week It's not bad unless the wind is opposing. It does require a quick hand on the steering when you hit the "squirly" bits but if you aim for the smooth "tongue" of water it is generally OK. You do need to keep clear of other boats and keep enough speed through the water to ensure positive steering, which means you can go quite fast!
Biggest problem is loonies in an unmentionabe brand of boat who insist on passing you and throwing wake which then bounces back off the walls and adds to the general amusement.
Going into the current just means that you have to be able to do better than the speed of the current by a reasonable margin.
If you read the water ahead of you it is not to hard to anticipate the very rapid changes of direction. When I get some pictures of the FHCBGT up just check my wake and you will see two successive 90 degree turns which were not due to substance abuse in FH!!
Worst scenario is a big ebb and a Westerly wind. On Monday morning we went out again with about a 6 Kt ebb and there were visible large swells up to 1 mile beyond the bridge.
Additional problem right now is the hot weather cause big rises in feeder rivers so there is a huge amount of debris going out on the ebb. You don't want to add tree trunks to the experience !!
Thats my 10c worth but there are many on here with much more local knowledge than I.
Merv
We came through with the current at +6.5 Kts. aftre FH this week It's not bad unless the wind is opposing. It does require a quick hand on the steering when you hit the "squirly" bits but if you aim for the smooth "tongue" of water it is generally OK. You do need to keep clear of other boats and keep enough speed through the water to ensure positive steering, which means you can go quite fast!
Biggest problem is loonies in an unmentionabe brand of boat who insist on passing you and throwing wake which then bounces back off the walls and adds to the general amusement.
Going into the current just means that you have to be able to do better than the speed of the current by a reasonable margin.
If you read the water ahead of you it is not to hard to anticipate the very rapid changes of direction. When I get some pictures of the FHCBGT up just check my wake and you will see two successive 90 degree turns which were not due to substance abuse in FH!!
Worst scenario is a big ebb and a Westerly wind. On Monday morning we went out again with about a 6 Kt ebb and there were visible large swells up to 1 mile beyond the bridge.
Additional problem right now is the hot weather cause big rises in feeder rivers so there is a huge amount of debris going out on the ebb. You don't want to add tree trunks to the experience !!
Thats my 10c worth but there are many on here with much more local knowledge than I.
Merv
I go in and out of Deception all the time and most of the time it is a non-event, particularly with your boat. The max flood or ebb by itself can be up to 9-10NMPH and you can expect to be swirled about some but the water is deep right up to the walls and you'll see fishermen in 17ft aluminum skiffs sitting there and fishing. If there is a a strong wind opposing the current you can get nasty standing waves around max'es and you should be cautious then. It would be best IMHO to wait that out a little. I have been through at those times and its not fun but is over in a short time. The rough water spans only about 200-300 yards and then you are out of it. However, going out of the pass at a low tide there are exposed rocks and shallow water to the left (west) of Deception Island that can be really ugly so I make a point of going to the right (northwest) of the island in those circumstances.
I have fun taking out of town guests under the bridge and have them experience the boat getting shoved around by the current (while maintaining steerage way, of course.) They seem to like it, too.
OTOH, I have experienced what Grumpy mentioned, and it wasn't loonies either. It was a big fishboat and I swear they deliberately created as much wake as they could. I could not slow down fast enough and we were thrown around violently. Easily could have broken something or somebody. I am very cautious around other boats in the Pass now.
Warren
OTOH, I have experienced what Grumpy mentioned, and it wasn't loonies either. It was a big fishboat and I swear they deliberately created as much wake as they could. I could not slow down fast enough and we were thrown around violently. Easily could have broken something or somebody. I am very cautious around other boats in the Pass now.
Warren
El and Bill
New member
We usually go through Canoe Pass, but that's a different story.
I've been through it once in an unmentionable Carver. I had every intention of going 8 knots through it but when the wind and current took me, I had to speed up to planing speed at 17 mph, throwing up a wake, though not a plowing wake. To the sides of me were fishing boats that were anchored up. I felt guilty about the ride I gave them but I didn't feel I had much choice. She has a flat bottom with very little rudder.
It's unlikely I'll every take that boat through it again. I much prefer the LaConner route. I wouldn't have any concern with a C-Dory or my Campion going through it.
-Greg
It's unlikely I'll every take that boat through it again. I much prefer the LaConner route. I wouldn't have any concern with a C-Dory or my Campion going through it.
-Greg
I did the trip a few weeks ago at 8.1 kt current and never ever want to
do that again. Whirlpools as big as the boat and have to admit 30 hp is
not enough for that nonsense. I made a error in when I should have gone
through. It was one of those days that had a minus 2.5 low tide. Little
Tug did good but I lacked somewhat. I was towing a Livingston dinghy
and bet that would have been a wild ride on the dinghy. Wiser and smarter
now. Bob Heselberg Eatonville Wa
do that again. Whirlpools as big as the boat and have to admit 30 hp is
not enough for that nonsense. I made a error in when I should have gone
through. It was one of those days that had a minus 2.5 low tide. Little
Tug did good but I lacked somewhat. I was towing a Livingston dinghy
and bet that would have been a wild ride on the dinghy. Wiser and smarter
now. Bob Heselberg Eatonville Wa
Boat size is not a problem in Canoe Pass. I use it often and even used it with my 85' Burger... when there is a heavy ebb and a strong wind from the west the main channel is not a good choice -- go Canoe but watch out for the kayaks!! And it's a good idea to use the appropriate sound signal. (loong blast).
Dusty
Dusty
Oh c'mon Dusty. What do you know about the area around that Pass? July. The girls and I are shooting for the second week in July to be up there to see you again. It's been a long time.
I've been through D Pass several times but it has always been fairly calm or had no other boats to contend with. The first time through was into the bay from the foggy strait and it was kind of spooky because of all the stories and warnings I had read on here. But it must have been nearly slack water and was uneventful. I have been through when there was plenty of current but was able pick my own course because nobody was around. It is a very neat run and I always look forward to it.
I've been through D Pass several times but it has always been fairly calm or had no other boats to contend with. The first time through was into the bay from the foggy strait and it was kind of spooky because of all the stories and warnings I had read on here. But it must have been nearly slack water and was uneventful. I have been through when there was plenty of current but was able pick my own course because nobody was around. It is a very neat run and I always look forward to it.
Caryn and I ran through Deception Pass for the first time this past weekend. Running from the bay out to the strait on a flood with very little wind was very uneventful for Caryn. Plus, there were no boats in the pass. Coming back, I was able to sample a few of those whirlpools and strong current you read about, but still doable with no problems. I'm sure it's a different story on an ebb with westerly winds and big boats in the pass along with you. Hopefully we can avoid that situation. :wink