S.F to Puget sound ?

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Monterey10

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A friend wants to take his 34' Californian from SF to Puget sound. Is there a guide, book or rules that a skipper would follow to make this trip safely?
 
Monterey10:

I'm not sure what your friend is looking for, but I would think the NOAA's Coast Pilot(s) for this area would be a must. I have used CP8 for Southeast Alaska and wouldn't go without it.

Douglass may be a source, but sometimes he seems to be just grinding out another book. Here's a reference to one for this area (I haven't read it and so I can't recommend it):

http://www.fineedge.com/NAUTICAL BOOKS/pacificcoast.html

In the last 12 years I have spoken with a few powerboaters and sailors from San Diego to Portland who have made it up to Inside Passage waterways, and their basic concerns seemed the same as any cruising boater's:
Can I make the distance between fuel docks? Where do I go to lay over in bad weather?
Which physical barriers should I avoid and what should I know about the ones I can't avoid?
What are the best local beers?

The journey is about 1000 nm, about 700 of which are the open Pacific from GG to Cape Flattery. Some longer distance cruising experience would be a huge asset, but investing some serious time in preparation before pulling out under the GG would be mandatory, IMHO.

Old_Salt
 
Tell them to wait until August or later. I have friends who took there 35 ft sailboat from SF to Puget Sound in April. They had one horrible trip and said they would never do that again! The winds and rough seas made it very grueling.
 
Craig,

Last June I helped bring a boat from Annecortes, WA to San Francisco. We utilized a book called Exploring the Pacific Coast, San Diego to Seattle by Don and Reanne Douglass. It was written by a couple that did the route north using a 6 kt trawler. They have a map available with all of the waypoints shown or you can get the waypoints from the book. They offer three routes an express route for sailors who can run offshore with little need for fuel stops, a route that bypasses the crab pots by running further offshore and a harbor hopping route. You can get it at Amazon.com and we found it to be very accurate and well planned.
 
Thanks all for the tip on the Douglas books. We'll get one ordered.
 
Monterey10 - I thought I had the only Californian left in the area - or so it often seems. I'd be interested in sharing information with your friends if they like, just drop me a note - thanks.
 
Toasty,

I too have a Californian, but mine is the 48 foot semi-displacement hull. I have a friend who just bought a 42 ft. Californian sportfisher so they're still around.
 
Mine is a 38 foot MY built 1985, just before Wellcraft started building them, so it was still the original Californian people. Amazingly strong boat, solid as can be and well appointed. But there is so little information to be found about the company at that time, I'm always looking for more.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Monterey10

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I'm presuming your friend wants to cruise Puget Sound. Wouldn't it be easier/cheaper/safer for him to just charter a similar size boat up in Anacortes?
 
quote:
Originally posted by Greg Schoenberg

quote:
Originally posted by Monterey10

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I'm presuming your friend wants to cruise Puget Sound. Wouldn't it be easier/cheaper/safer for him to just charter a similar size boat up in Anacortes?

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Ahhhhh grasshopper[:-bonc01] never forget that it isn't the destination that's important, it's the journey! I've been dying to harbor hop my way up the coast ever since I helped bring a friends boat down last year. With the price of diesel, it might be cheaper to drive and stay in motels at each harbor, but not nearly as much fun.
 
The original California trawler company was founded by the former owner of the Grand Banks Company. After he sold the GB line, he started the Californian. He then sold that company and started Navigator. I'm not sure if he still is involved with that line or not. Sorry I don't know his name, but I read an article which gave this history. GB was built in Taiwan but the others are all California-built vessels.

Anybody have any updated info?
 
That is one trip I think I'd rather do at 55. Going south is a different matter, although not by much.
 
quote:
Originally posted by AbsoLoot

Ahhhhh grasshopper[:-bonc01] never forget that it isn't the destination that's important, it's the journey! I've been dying to harbor hop my way up the coast ever since I helped bring a friends boat down last year. With the price of diesel, it might be cheaper to drive and stay in motels at each harbor, but not nearly as much fun.

Click to expand...


Well Master, I just hope your destination ain't Davey Jone's Locker. Personally, I rather hitchhike vs. taking that trip north.

Good luck to you!
 
If you are going to head north, do it in the late summer/early fall when conditions are the best. If it is 90 degrees in the bay area, it is perfect conditions for heading north out the gate!
 
I just took my former 47' Bayliner Pilothouse up the coast on the last weekend in April. The weather was supposed to break, but we were caught out in 11' at 13 seconds with 5.5 feet of wind waves. We bailed/ducked into Fort Bragg, waited for the weather to finally break and had an excellent run on up. I hopped off in Ilwaco, WA (after crossing the Columbia Bar) so I could get back to work.

The key items to this trip are:
1. Charlie's Charts of the West Coast (Book)
2. Either understand how to forecast weather or hire someone.
3. Every crew member undertaking this adventure needs to have been offshore in fair to poor conditions.
4. If you've never crossed a bar or rounded a point on the West Coast, hire a pro to come with.
5. Choose your weather/season/timing VERY wisely.
6. Know that you have a high chance of injury and that you will damage the boat.

We totaled a dingy by breaking its back on the flybridge after it came loose in the meelee. I'm the only one who didn't get sea sick, but I have an iron stomach. One of our crew was a former Alaska king crab fisherman (predating deadliest catch) and he was both seasick and injured.

It can be done but its not for the faint of heart. Its much easier to come from the Puget Sound down, but that's still not easy.

-Gene
 
Gene,

Long time no talk. What are you taking CP back up to Puget Sound for? I notice you say former .... does this mean you sold her and bought the 65 footer you were lusting over? Bring us up to date, it has been too long, my friend.
 
Your looking for Jules Marshal, the originator of the Californian line before the company was sold off. I was not aware he had anything to do with Grand Banks. He was still around as of just a few years ago, so I assume he could still be found.

My FIL used to own a 34 Californian, and I have a lot of time running it. It's a good solid hull for sure and a heavy shouldering kind of ride.
 
Dave,

I sold 47' CP to a friend I had made up there who owned a 38. He got exactly what he wanted for his and gave me what I originally paid for mine. But for a little delay, I'll be making an offer on a 65' Pacific Mariner. Here is an example:
http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/boatFullDetails.jsp?boat_id=1561054

I'll probably no be in the Delta this year but instead poking around the Sound in the late summer and back sometime next year.

-Gene
 
Gene,

Nice looking ride; good luck with aquiring her. If you ever need crew up there, give me a call.
 
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