Late season boating on NW waters

  • Thread starter Thread starter Anonymous
  • Start date Start date
Hi Brats

The weather has been great for boating. The swell a little big but generally with long duration and not much wind. The sport fishing crabbers are out in force taking advantage of the earlier than commercial opening and getting their limits.

Forecast is for more of the same. Since the surf has been so good I have not thought of boating but for those of you who enjoy the day on the water in a boat enjoy!

Safe boating

1tuberider
Jeff
 
Tim, the sleeping bag you are looking for is called a Travasak. It does not have a zip out fleece lining, but it does have zip out sheets, it is shaped like your veeberth, and it can be flipped over depending on whether you want the winter or summer side up. It is the perfect sleeping bag for two people on a C-Dory. We love ours!
 
We have slept under a travasak for the better part of the past twenty years -- and it is still a joy summer and winter. So, take the cost, divide by twenty, and -- what a bargain!
 
We were out on the water Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday. Just a great week for being out on the water. However, the Holiday is over and it looks like the Winter Weather has returned.

PZZ135-270500- /O.CON.KSEW.GL.W.0057.000000T0000Z-071127T0800Z/ PUGET SOUND AND HOOD CANAL- 258 PM PST MON NOV 26 2007 ...GALE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT PST TONIGHT... .TONIGHT...S WIND RISING TO 25 TO 35 KT EARLY...THEN BECOMING SW...EXCEPT NW 10 TO 20 KT OVER THE N SOUND. WIND EASING OVER THE ENTIRE AREA AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES BUILDING TO 4 TO 6 FT...THEN SUBSIDING LATE. RAIN EARLY...THEN SHOWERS. .TUE...SW WIND 10 TO 20 KT...

Got the boat tucked safely away ... awaiting the next sunny weekend.

Cheers,

Tom
 
We took our 25 Ranger Tug out on the day after Thanksgiving. It was a 5 star day - 42 degrees and sunny. Cabin temperature with wallis and heat exchanger 75.

We no more got outside the entrance of the Des Moines Marina when I saw what I thought was a small log boom with tree branches sticking out. It was only a blink later I realized it was pod of Orcas coming right at our boat. I backed off, put her in neutral and they put on a wonderful display for us.

There was a open research vessel with two guys aboard who were within 25 ft of them and followed them for several miles.

We then headed to Blake Island to enjoy the view of the Seattle skyline. The wind picked up which made it a chill to walk the beach but no problem riding the tide back to Des Moines.

Winter Boating in the PNW is the best.
 
C-Sick":848c2a4v said:
We took our 25 Ranger Tug out on the day after Thanksgiving. It was a 5 star day - 42 degrees and sunny. Cabin temperature with wallis and heat exchanger 75.

We no more got outside the entrance of the Des Moines Marina when I saw what I thought was a small log boom with tree branches sticking out. It was only a blink later I realized it was pod of Orcas coming right at our boat. I backed off, put her in neutral and they put on a wonderful display for us.

There was a open research vessel with two guys aboard who were within 25 ft of them and followed them for several miles.

We then headed to Blake Island to enjoy the view of the Seattle skyline. The wind picked up which made it a chill to walk the beach but no problem riding the tide back to Des Moines.

Winter Boating in the PNW is the best.
Click to expand...

That was a 5 star day. Our flybridge was toasty warm just from the sun alone. Even better, 3 of 6 kids were with us for their first time...none had seen our boat or ever boated on the Sound. The approach to Elliot Bay from Bainbridge was gorgeous. The looks on their faces....priceless.

Ride home on Sunday was just as beautiful. Only problem...we were going home. :sad

-Greg
 
Tonight and tomorrow they're forecasting 5" of snow at home, so tomorrow, I'll go boating and fishing on the Columbia, three miles down the hill. (One more reason to have a slip in the marina -- easier to go boating when it is snowing out?) I'll fish for sturgeon or possibly steelhead, anchored off the mouth of the Kalama, back bouncing a red U-20 flatfish with some scent, heater on, music on.... should be fun. C.W.
 
CW":2icmk5z5 said:
Tonight and tomorrow they're forecasting 5" of snow at home, so tomorrow, I'll go boating and fishing on the Columbia, three miles down the hill. (One more reason to have a slip in the marina -- easier to go boating when it is snowing out?) I'll fish for sturgeon or possibly steelhead, anchored off the mouth of the Kalama, back bouncing a red U-20 flatfish with some scent, heater on, music on.... should be fun. C.W.
Click to expand...

Well I'm only a mile up the hill, near the water tower, overlooking the Kalama marina. If you see something bright up on the hill, whiter than the snow, know it ain't the moon. It's me giving you a proper Braveheart salute. :smilep

I know what you mean by the convenience of marina moorage. I kept my 22 footer and ski boat at Kalama this summer. Was great to hop in and go.

-Greg :smilep
 
Well, if she doesn't change her mind, we will be heading out after lunch and launching at the 40th Street Ramp in Bellevue for an overnighter at Andrews Bay on Lake Washington. Wallas cranked up to 6!
 
Pat Anderson":1i03wmp8 said:
Well, if she doesn't change her mind, we will be heading out after lunch and launching at the 40th Street Ramp in Bellevue for an overnighter at Andrews Bay on Lake Washington. Wallas cranked u to 6!
Click to expand...

You guys are TOUGH! I pulled up the weather bug for Bellingham - high of 36º, 80% chance of precip, 100% chance of snow tonight, high tomorrow of 42º. Wind 10-20. Not much different for Seattle.

It is 79º here right now, wind SSE at 23, gusting to 32... and that is going to keep some of the boat parade participants home. Did I mention that you guys are tough?

Snuggle up and stay warm!

Warm wishes,
Jim
 
Greetings from Andrews Bay, Lake Washington!! Got a couple of open access points floating across the water here. NOBODY at 40th Street Ramp, got launched, just got the camperback up tied up at the float when the big time snow started! Nice and easy around the top of Mercer Island, about 6 knots. The visibility was not too good through the snow, either! Kind of bummed, either I just forgot how to turn the radar on or the firmware update reset some setting I have to find. When I hit the power button momentarily, the radar toggles come on but they are grayed out. Would appreciate it if anybody could help me out with this one! We passed an Argosy tour boat and some idiots out fishing in the snow in an open boat, otherwise not too much traffic on the water today. There was a sailboat anchored up here when we arrived, but needless to say, no competition for swinging room! Nice and toasty inside, have both the Wallas at 6 AND the Mr Heater Buddy going! We'll run the Wallas at low all night and turn Buddy off, should be fine in the Travasak! We are having some the salmon from the Neah Bay trip with Roger for dinner. Late winter cruising in the PNW at it best!
 
Great to hear from you, Pat and Patty!

Glad you're having some much fun in the snow!

Since you like snow boating so much, have you thought about snow cave camping?

See ya' in Seattle!

Joe.
 
Pat and Patty -
Good on ya! Nothing like a little brewski heading to the v-berth and a good cuppa Brothers to start the am. Sure good to see you guys a few weeks ago -- a little of the sunshine left after you took your smiles back to WA -- but sounds like you need the sunshine up there more than down here rght now. Enjoy the water.
 
Pat-Just a thought on the radar. Maybe you have the distance setting up too far for the narrow passage between Mercer Island and the Bellevue shore.
If you want to tie up at Ivars Salmon House for their great Sunday buffet here's their number 206 632-0767
I hope you post some pictures.
 
Back to good ol' rain on Lake Washington this morning! Visibility is OK, but I have to solve the radar problem before I need it again - I guess I will have to break out the stupid manuals...Travasak is worth its price, for sure! About 50 degrees F in the cabin with Wallas on low during the night, we were completely toasty in the Travasak! Got the Mr Heater Buddy going now, coffee water is nearly at the boil on the Wallas, cabin temp is up to about 60 and climbing - should be just about right when Patty wakes up!
 
pat on the radar.. sometime you have to let the radar unit ( on the roof) warn up and you might want to check it for water condensation, might have froze of you.
 
For me, it's good winter doldrum therapy to plan out our next summer cruises. One that has me intrigued is a Puget Sound Loop (for lack of a better term). Starting out near Belfair on the Hood Canal and then looping all the way to Allyn, just 15 land miles from Belfair. (I've learned there is a free shuttle between the towns). The trip is roughly 250 miles and would be a cinch to do in 6 days, with plenty of time for sightseeing, especially since my 22 footer cruises easily and economically at 25 mph. I'm thinking mid-June, just before the Sound gets crowded. It would be a great way to celebrate my 50th birthday. Anybody ever do this trip? How is the weather in mid-June? There doesn't appear be any exposed crossings and my boat is all weather, due to the alaskan bulkhead.

-Greg
 
Pat and Patty,

I just showed Joan those images and she said, "EEEEEEEEEEEEE!" After some thought, "When you gotta get out, you gotta get out. That's better than sitting at home."

We would not consider boating in the snow, because we would not consider being in the snow again. We applaud your willingness to be "out there." :thup It's nice to have different perspectives.

I still say, "You guys are tough!" :xlol

Best wishes,
Jim & Joan
 
Back
Top