View Full Version : Navigation Charts for Columbia?
Blind Bobber
08-02-2005, 09:08 PM
Had the chance to go out on the Columbia via Chinook Landing Sunday for the first time. A bit crowded but would like to come back with my boat and fish. It seems a bit complicated with the commercial traffic among all the other boats. I am studying up on the OSMB rules and required equipment. My question here is there a navigational map available that might mark sand bars, and other things one would learn from experience? Where can I find this kind of info on a map?
Thanks :smash:
<font color="blue"> </font> BLIND BOBBER
Chart not map!
Boaters World or West Marine will sell you charts or you could look here, MAPTECH LINK (http://mapserver.maptech.com/homepage/index.cfm?lat=45.56691445348947&lon=-122.43592935738188&scale=40000&zoom=50&type=0&icon =0&width=498&height=498&searchscope=dom&CFID=36325 69&CFTOKEN=68454836&scriptfile=http://mapserver.maptech.com/homepage/index.cfm&latlontype=DMS)
Remember that a river is dynamic and always changing.
HOOKUP
08-02-2005, 09:43 PM
I was crusing the upper columbia today and thought I had better check my GPS (I have the C- map Colmbia charts in it)
and it showed I was in 3 ft. of water, I looked at my depth finder and it showed 1.5 ft
Never kissed bottom due to the jet but next time I will listen to the wife when she says "look at that pelican standing on the water!!!"
DriftR
08-03-2005, 04:07 PM
You can also get charts at Fishermans Marine in Delta Park. Don't go out there without them. Not to bad if you go downstream but upstream from Chinook, say on the way and close to Multnomah Falls it gets pretty skinny up there if your in the wrong spot at the wrong tide/time. Make sure you follow your range markers up in that area and pay attention to your chart, GPS, depthfinder.
Orion
08-04-2005, 08:06 PM
Blind Bobber,
There is a book of charts called the "Columbia River Cruising Atlas" I think the book is about $40.00 but it includes charts for the Columbia, Willamette and Snake rivers. As mentioned above, charts are good for reference but hazards and depths change frequently. The book itself is a large format and is well designed. The book I have was reprinted in 2003 by Evergreen Pacific Publishing. I purchased the book at Joes but you might find them in other fishing supply stores near you.
Good Luck,
Orion
USCGBoating
08-05-2005, 08:57 AM
The Crusing atlas is good for local land marks and information but I would not use it for navigation. When the charts are reproduced in the book format the scale is changed drastically and is not a true representation of distance, land mass, or features. Also the infromation, buoys, hazards etc., is not updated unless there is a reprint and that may be years. The NOAA charts are the best and most relyable source to safely navigate.
Orion
08-05-2005, 12:54 PM
USCGBoating,
Excellent points! Thanks the clarifications.
All the Best,
Orion
Bluto
08-08-2005, 06:27 PM
Charts are a definitely must have on the Columbia... I'd also highly suggest a GPS w/Mapping or GPS/fish-finder combo in your boat to assist in navigation. Many of the software packages also show submerged pilings & other hazards. We've gone out of Chinook many a time & had the fog roll in. Without the GPS showing our outbound trip line, we would have never got back. I wouldn't want to be out there without one.