By Nicole
After following us on our 3 ½-month journey around Vancouver Island, you may be wondering “What’s next for Bella Star?”
Well, we’ve been doing some serious California Dreaming lately. And by “lately,” I mean ever since summer decided to skip the Pacific Northwest this year. It’ll feel so great to finally put on shorts and a tank top, swim in water warmer than 56.7 degrees (the water temperature right now in Port Angeles) and go a day without donning one of my well-used fleeces.
So here we sit in Port Angeles, waiting for the right weather pattern to set in to send us off the coast of Washington and south to California.
The goal is to take the offshore route, which means traveling about 100 miles off the coast. This route *should* give us more consistent wind while keeping us away from the fishing boats, freighters and crab pots that populate the area between 35 and 50 miles off the coast (the inshore route). Of course there are pros and cons to each, but after careful consideration, we feel most comfortable with the offshore run. But if things get really hairy, we have the option of ducking into Crescent City or another town along the Oregon or California coast.
We’d originally hoped today would be the day, but the weather just isn’t quite right yet, so we’ll keep waiting. What are we waiting for? Glad you asked.
- A nicely developed Pacific high pressure system
- Winds blowing from the right direction that are strong enough to keep us sailing comfortably and quickly (NW 15-25 knots)
- Moderate swell heights from aft of the beam (that is, from behind us)
- No rain. =)
So when we see consistent forecasts matching that general description, we’ll make the big left turn and start the 7–10-day southbound passage to warmer waters. Ahhh.
Until then, though, we’ll be California dreaming on such a summer’s day.
So does this mean that you've hit the 100 island mark?
ReplyDeleteDon't want to rain on your parade( rule 4 ) but in a normal year the window for conditions like you listed happen about 2 - 3 times between July 1st and August 15th. This year is/was not normal. The pacific high was weaker and farther SW allowing Westerly swells without the strong North wind. See Livia's day six video. Note: My wife and I plan to make the trip in 2 years, I have been watching the weather looking at potential windows as if it was this year. In a year like this, the 5 stop option might be a lot more pleasent. See: Miramar's Blog. Personally I would motorsail to Westport at the next break Thursday? Then if the weather clears enroute try for Newport OR or stop. Small 1 - 2 hops. Leaving after Labor Day is usually 95% miserable, and leaving after the equinox can be worse. Wasn't there 2 men from Vancouver BC a couple of years ago that left Oct 1 and had to go 1000 miles offshore to escape the 40 knot Southerlies, and it took them 45 days to get to San Diego? my 2 cents.
ReplyDeletechuck
Nicole and Aaron (SV Bellastar)
ReplyDeleteThe warmer climes and palm trees beckon but I'm glad to read that you haven't thrown 'caution to the wind'. Take care and Godspeed. I look forward to continuing to follow your progress southward. May the winds blow gently at your back - keep safe.
Hugh (Markdale, ON)
Have a wonderful trip you guys! We finally made it to Barkley and will putter around here for a week. We have another crew member meeting us here on the 2nd and we plan on taking off from Ucluelet on the 3rd, weather permitting. See you in SF!!
ReplyDeleteSafe Travels SV Bella Star. My wife and I bought our first boat last year (a Dana 24) and have been following your blog since. Hopefully someday we will follow you and cut the dock lines.
ReplyDeleteWe also follow Jim and Karen (also Dana owners at http://www.karenandjimsexcellentadventure.blogspot.com), they just made the big left turn last month. They spent two days hove-to riding out gales and had to duck into Eureka for a few days.
Safe travels, have a great trip!! We're looking forward to reading about your adventures.
-Kevin & Ginny
Tyler - 100 island goal is completed! We probably landed on about 130 islands total going around Vancouver Island but the goat didn't forumulate until well into the trip. I'll write a 100 Islands post in the next day or two.
ReplyDeleteChuck & Jackie - you're right, this year is definitely not normal! We're still going to head offshore, looking at Thursday or Saturday at this point but we won't decide for another day or two. We know the conditions we're looking for aren't always the pattern, but the conditions we'd like are mostly just a wishlist :)
Hugh - Good to hear from you and thanks for the kind words. We're looking forward to getting underway!
Wondertime - Enjoy Barkley! It's just awesome there. Hopefully you don't get too much rain. We're enjoying your blog - see you guys on the other side of the bridge!
Cold Feet - Thanks guys, and congratulations!!! The Dana 24 is a sweet boat. We're enjoying your blog as well - looks like those pups could do a little more to pull their weight though :)
We wish you good luck as you work your way south... we arrived in Puget Sounds in May after a horrid trip north... check out our blog if you'd like... mvgreywolf@blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteLots of old entries in Mexico and Central America!
If you haven't already, read Tom and Jeanne's SV Eagle blog. They got pretty run down on their trip south but the boat did well.
ReplyDeleteDave C.
Hey Dreamers!
ReplyDeleteWe feel really bad that you got a soggy tour of Van Isle. It can be very nice (really... it doesn't rain ALL the time up here!). We are glad that you enjoyed the Broken Islands.
We followed your SPOT as you bounced back and forth among the islands like a boat in a pinball machine! We got moorage in Sidney (Canoe Cove) and will be on the move Sept 16th (approx). Keep in touch and keep up the excellent blog posts and photos!
Hey you two...looks like we got a jump on you and are sitting in Humboltd bay, Eureka Ca. We did the 100 off shore route, and to put it kindly, got our butt kicked when the high we were riding broke down. At 100 miles out we could not duck back into shore fast enough. Nothing broken, and the boat did awesome. If we had one thing we would change, it would be to have a three person along as crew. By the time we got thru the worst of the storm (30-35 knot winds and 20+ seas)we were totaly exhausted. A third person would have given each of us a short break. Hope you have an awesome trip, And stay in touch, perhaps we can meet up for a "welcome to California" drink
ReplyDeleteLove it, keep up the posts!
ReplyDeleteHey there...loooks like a pretty big blow in this area (Humboldt bay, Eureka Cal.) for the next 5-7 days. We spent 2 hours at the National Weather service headquarters office this morning, and have learned a bunch about the local weather. The biggest differenece here, is that low is good, with moderate winds and a high which brings the really high winds, is bad. The forecast for Monday throuh Friday, in the northern california area is for gale force winds 10-60 miles out from Crescent city to cape Medencino.
ReplyDeleteWe are going to make a very fast (hopefully) run to Bodega Bay early tomorrow morning, wait week, and then run to San Francisco.
Please be carefull out there!!
This is a really cool discussion and everyone coming down has had such varied experiences this year. One bit of info: Miramar said they didn't end up getting much sailing (one good run really) on the inshore route and got stuck for quite a while in a harbor.
ReplyDeleteWe have a bottle in our booze locker with your names on it. Do you like sake? ;)
Thanks everyone - we were certainly hoping to be able to make the run to San Francisco in one leg, but the weather has just been too freaky. Newport shaves off a couple days and it looks like it's going to be a fun stop so no biggie. From here we'll hopefully be able to get some accurate forecasts and plan our departure accordingly. We may make another stop on the coast, not sure where.
ReplyDeleteTom and Jeanne, thanks for the info - we'll work that into our planning and I'm looking forward to the welcome to California drink. I'll make mine a double!
Speaking of drinks, Estrellita you guys know how we roll. Whatever you're pouring works for us!
Sounds like a pretty good PNW party once we all get to an Francisco!!
ReplyDeleteBe safe out there!!
Tom & Jeanne
Glad you are having fun. To me Newport is worth stopping for while Westport and Coos Bay are good places to step out of the washing machine before it hits the spin cycle.
ReplyDeletechuck