Absoloot: How long did it take you from Seattle..

[goplay]

Dave,

How long did it take you to go from Seattle to SF Bay?

What were the marinas you stopped along the way and would you make any other recommendations for overnight stops/fuel stops?

Thanks!

 

[AbsoLoot]

We made it very quickly as we had great weather and the boat owner wanted to get the boat home as soon as possible. We ran from Anecortes to Neah Bay the first day. It was a nice stop and we'd go there again. Our plan was to stop at Grays Harbor, but our buddy didn't want to stop so early so we continued on to Tillamook Bay, OR. The seas were small and we had no problem going in although the cruising guides don't recommend it. The locals were nice and we had a good time, but they say the entry bar can be really tough. From there we went to Coos Bay which has a good entrance and we had a nice evening with the locals. The next night we went to Crescent City instead of Eureka, again not recommended by the cruising guides, but it was fine for us. Our next stop was Noyo River/Fort Bragg. We arrived on a high tide and made it in fine. Enjoyed a nice dinner at a local eatery and rescued some old drunk gal from a mean bartender. When we got up, the tide was low and I do mean low even the channel buoys were aground. We went and had breakfast and waited for a couple of hours and finally made it out. There is a sand bar under the south side of the bridge (don't ask how I know this .... okay, I'll tell you) As we were heading to the bridge, we saw a long haired local fella up on the bridge dancing and gesticulating. We joked that he was giving us a blessing for the sea. As we laughed, we felt the boat slide to a slow stop on the sand. Luckily the owner was piloting and it was a very soft grounding at low speed and we were able to back right off. We also realized that the friendly local was suggesting that we stay to the North side. I wouldn't recommend going in there with your boat, Bodega Bay would be a much better choice. From there we ran straight home and were tied up at Berkeley Yacht Club by about 7:00pm. Email me off line and I can send you a file of our planned routes and what we actually did on the trip down. There was also an article in the Bay & Delta Yachtsman titled Bringing Desiree Home that chronicled our trip along with photos. I think it ran sometime this year.

 

[goplay]

Dave,

Thanks for the detailed reply. I just bought a couple of the cruising guides and given the potential weather related challenges they certainly make you think twice about doing the trip! I will send you a PM.

Charles