Is this too rough for Columbia Bar crossing?

SKP · 09-05-2003, 08:03 AM

I'm going on a friend's boat, and never been in the ocean from the Columbia. What really does this forcast mean? My humble opinion is that it looks pretty calm to me in the morning. Will any experienced Salty Dogs do some interpretation for me?

.SAT...SW WIND 10 KT...BECOMING S 20 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. CAPE
SHOALWATER TO CLATSOP SPIT...SW WIND 10 KT...BECOMING S 25 KT
IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 1 FT OR LESS...BECOMING 4 FT IN
THE AFTERNOON. S SWELL 4 FT AT 16 SECONDS. PATCHY FOG IN THE
MORNING.

Thanks,
SKP

Lucky Luke · 09-05-2003, 08:26 AM

SKP,
I'm not an expierenced Salty Dog but I can give you some clues as to what to expect with this forecast. I spent the summer going out on the ocean and watched these reports every time I went out.
Ther are numerous threads on this subject. Do a search and see what you find.
This forecast shows me that there's a good chance that the ocean will be calm in the morning. You need to go and take a look for yourself, but you'll probably be able to get out and do some fishing. The key to this quandry is what you'll hear from a lot of Dog's is, 'If it doesn't look or feel right, don't go'. I realize that this is vague to a newbie but if your out on the pond when the wind starts to build your instincts will start talking at ya right away. And that is the way to judge the safty factor out there. Keep in mind that the sea reports can change with little notice.

The weather or bouy reports can be inaccurate for the particular spot that you are going out of. That's why you can only use them as a loose guide.

A good thing to do is talk to others at the boat ramp, bait shop, or charter office. It is unlikely that someone will give you misinformation knowing the perils involved. Everyone keeps an eye on teh conditions out there.

Don't forget about the time that it will take to get back to the bar crossing. Be very liberal in your estimate of travel time taking into consideration current and traveling into chop, if that is the case. As soon, and I mean immediatly, travel back to port if you are inexpierenced and the wind starts to pick up. It's a judgement call and I've seen it go from flat calm to choppy in a half hour. Err on the side of safety.

The wind wave and swell numbers look rather good. The general rule of thumb being that the two numbers should not exceed ten. Then you look at the fishing trip in a much more sceptical way. :grin: You also need to find out what interval of time is between the swells. I don't kinow very much about this yet, but I think 7 seconds and above is ok. Not to sure on this one so you probably need more info. from a more senior member of the Salty dogs group. John(Pilar)? Rod(Corrirod)? Mel(Miss B Haven)? Bruce(Popeye)? Old hands to be sure.

You need to of course coincide your crossing with the tides.
As I said, I'm new to this to, so hopefully some other dogs will chime in with advice or recommendations to what I've already said. If you have any doubts, e-mail one of the dogs that posts a lot. You cannot learn enough about this issue. Good luck and take care. Remember, no fish is worth your life. The CR bar is referred to being the graveyard of the Pacific for a reason. Luke out.

[ 09-05-2003, 09:39 AM: Message edited by: Lucky Luke ]

Phil Layer · 09-05-2003, 08:34 AM

As far as ocean forecasts go, they don't get much better than that one.

However, crossing the Coumbia River bar involves more than rough vs. flat ocean conditions. You need to plan your crossing to coincide with the tide. Pick slack tide for crossing the bar and you may be okay.

Finally, stay in the main channel on your way out and in. There are some really gnarly areas out there.

Mel (Miss Behavin) is the fella to steer you clear on this one but he may be on the water today.

Zippy · 09-05-2003, 01:01 PM

:smile:

Zippy · 09-05-2003, 01:04 PM

Hey where did the text go??

Phil Layer · 09-05-2003, 01:18 PM

Zippy,

There is a sophisticated system on ifish that keeps you from posting words like ****** and *********.

You must have really loaded your post up to have the whole thing zapped!

Miss B Haven · 09-08-2003, 10:09 PM

I was there and di it. WOuldn't have wanted to be out in anything smaller although they were there. Forecoast was right on with 10 knots in the am and 20 or so in the pm. Ocean and wind was worse the closer you got in. Forecast was right on with negligable swell and 4-5 foot of wind wave in the afternoon.

8knots · 09-09-2003, 08:16 AM

Find out when the peak ebb tide is. You want to avoid coming back in against it, especially if the winds kick up fast. Otherwise the morning looks promising. Leave at first light and you should be able to beat the wind back in.