Can I Cross The Bar - Where With ...

NETONE · 06-11-2003, 01:52 PM

I am the proud owner of a 21' Alumaweld Super Vee Pro, with a 225HP Pump, 30 Sides, OPEN boat.

Is is even logical for me to think of getting out in the ocean .5 - 1.5 miles, if so what locations are best and what sea conditions should I be advised of operation in based on your knowledged.

Miss B Haven · 06-11-2003, 02:01 PM

You kidding?- that's a BIG boat relative to a lot of them out there!
I've seen a 13 foot boston whaler about 15 miles SW of the CR bouy (that's 20 some miles from Bouy 10). I've seen a lot of car toppers with 3 guys out of T-bay. (not that I am recommending this).
Your boat is fine as long as the Ocean is cooperating. If the Ocean isn't cooperating then you proly don't want to be there anyway (regardless of hte size of your boat.
There is a ton of stuff on this board about being prepared, watching the tides and wind and trend. You should do a search and some research.
The boat will probably be better at this than you are at first. Worry more about you than the boat. Where are you thinking and what are you fishing for? T-bay, Chinook? (guessing by the distance). :smile:

Mello-Yello · 06-11-2003, 02:33 PM

It is absolutely logical to consider taking this boat offshore. I don't know much about the northern ports....I wouldn't hesitate for a moment going out of Charleston in yer boat on a decent day. Take Mel's advice and burn a few hours using the search function. What you will find is that, for each question answered you will end up with several new questions. Especially do a search on "safety equipment".

Use one of the many marine weather forecasting sites and learn what it all means. It's important that when you get out there, you can compare forecasts with what you're experiencing. It'll give you an idea what to expect next time.

Oh, and Nice Boat! I was gonna get one till I found out how long I'd have to wait for it....

M-Y

NETONE · 06-11-2003, 02:41 PM

I feel I have a good handle on what conditions I feel safe in, I just purchased a VHF today...and trust me am sometimes to safe concening the water, if you can be to safe. I know my friend goes out alot rock fishing in his 18 foot Duckworth, which scares the heck out of me, was not sure an open boat is the style one should venture out in. Also I have been told that the 3 top bars or the easiest are Depot Bay, Newport and Winchester....is that correct????

Also I have been told to enter/exit the bays to the more Northern jetty on Newport.

Mello-Yello · 06-11-2003, 02:50 PM

The 'Open' boat is something to definetly be cautious with. I've been in some really yucky stuff with my 20' Wooldridge and have yet to fill my bow. In fact, I've taken more water through my scuppers! Then again, I don't push things. If it takes an hour to get somewhere....see ya there in an hour. We spent 3.5 hours going 22 miles while Halibut Fishing off Port Orford...it wouldn't be so bad but the gps is constantly reminding you how long it will take at present speed.

As one wise man said..."Pick your battles". If the little voice says "I'm not sure about this"...that may be the only warning you get.

fishinfool · 06-11-2003, 03:50 PM

Sure you can cross the bar just pick your days. I run over the columbia bar with an 18' Open Bow Larson but I PICK MY DAYS. If something don't feel right I don't go. Been out a long ways too had one great day out west of the CR catching a BIG Chinook. unfortunately that day was one day after they closed chinook in the ocean.

Oh well. Just remember if it don't feel right don't go and be darn sure you know what areas to stay away from if you cross the columbia bar. Also don't try to cross on a large Ebb tide that bar gets ROUGH!!! Take care and be careful. Any more questions just ask. Tim

Orca · 06-11-2003, 09:22 PM

Netone,

No problem going out, once you get familiar with the tides, weather forecasts, and ocean conditions.

Do some searching in the "Salty Dogs" archive for something like "bar crossing" to get you started. After reviewing some of the previous posts, ask away with any questions about anything you want clarification on, or anything you couldn't find a good answer for.

About Newport, Depoe Bay, and Winchester - All 3 can be very easy when the ocean is laid down. Newport is a pretty tame and easy bar to cross most of the time. It is rarely closed, and not as subject to the tide messing things up as with some of the other bars. I know of no reason to bias towards the N jetty at Newport. It may be calmer initially alongside the jetty, but should be rougher exiting near the N jetty than it would be in the middle.

Only been out of Depoe on charters, and not with my boat yet, but I wouldn't really consider it an easy bar. Others who use it can weigh in.

Winchester is a breeze when the ocean is nice, but it can roughen up fast if the swell and wind picks up, and you need to stick close to the South jetty. When a decent swell is coming in (with a NW wind), I have seen breaking waves starting at the tip of the N jetty, covering 1/2 of the distance between the jetties and traveling in for 1/4 mile or more. Even then I will see folks running up the N side or middle ground, and cutting N right past the N jetty. I guess they didn't see what I just saw 3 minutes earlier.

This brings me to my last suggestion - Get a copy of the Marine Board publication "Boating in Oregon Coastal Waters" Click HERE for an on-line copy, or pick one up at your local marine dealer. If you read the information about the Umpqua bar, you won't be one of those folks running toward the N jetty oblivious to the fact that there may be breakers appearing from nowhere off the N jetty. I would heed the areas shown in the publication as places to avoid. Every year commercial and private boaters are killed in areas indicated where rouge waves can appear out of nowhere. Recent examples come to mind of fatalities at Peacock Spit at the mouth of the Columbia, and on the south side of the south jetties at Tillamook and Newport.

Mr. BrownTrout · 06-12-2003, 04:38 AM

I use to go out in my 13' Gregor all the time, but like everyone is saying, watch the tides and the weather. Remember if its an ebb tide and you have a big swell outside, wait until the tide slows or wait until the flood tide. Another thing to remember is that on the flood tide the area around the sunken jetty can get real nasty. But other then that, good luck and catch lots of fish. Of course I am talking about the mouth of the Columbia river.

NETONE · 06-12-2003, 06:14 AM

Great information...thanks all...bottomline is yes the boat can go out...but the human factor must control the timing and use safe common sence before going and how far to go. Since I have done lots of bay I feel I will stay there for a while until I become good at feeling my boat ability. Last thing I want to do is have 2 hours of operating time and think I can go out. More than likely I will try to hook up with a friend that is going out to try the buddy system first with two boat, or possibly beg one of you to allow me to follow you out....

Orca.....great reply thanks for the link...awesome....

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Tinman · 06-12-2003, 02:40 PM

Yes, you can go offshore in your boat. I routinely go out in my 15 foot Bayrunner open skiff. But I insist on the best weather and a stable weather pattern for the next few days. I have a kicker in addition to the main outboard, with twice as much gas as I need. I've got a fixed-mount VHF plus a handheld, GPS, a chart, compensated compass and a cell phone. I leave a detailed float plan with my wife, that includes my departure and return point, a FIRM return time, and a description of my boat. If I'm not back when I said, she calls the Coast Guard, and tells them exactly where to look for me.

I also wear a full wetsuit at all times, just in case the boat sinks and I end up in the water. I also have 10,000 hours experience in small boats on the ocean.

And I follow the rule that others have mentioned...if conditions don't look right, I just don't go out. Period.

All this being said, It's a grand and glorious ocean out there, and I encourage you to try it. Just be sure you invest in the necessary gear and know how to use it.

Charles