Looking for a boat

[tondelayo29]

Originally Posted by camaraderie

Prax...the coast of Oregon is no place to gain experience in any size or price boat. I would suggest you adjust your plans...perhaps buying a boat you can keep up in Washington or doing charters out of there until you really understand and become skilled in what is required off shore. You can cruise much more safely in the San Juan's than of the Oregon coast.
If I sound a little timid...just check out these pix from the Columbia River Bar Pilots web site and tell me what size boat you would feel safe on!

Great advice for a novice or anyone that may think the "Pacific" is a big millpond ... We bought our boat from a couple that live on Southern tip of San Juan Island. after moving our boat to Anacortes we sailed the Islands for a couple of months before bringing it down to Portland. I could easily spend a lifetime sailing in the Islands let alone the skills that can be learned prior to setting sail in the Pacific. Currents, tides, storms you can get it all ... but, the saying "Any Port In A Storm" carries a lot of weight as there is always a quick hide-a-way nearby.
The web link to the Bar Pilots photos is incredible. Makes me want to kick myself for still having dial-up.

[sailingdog]

There is a good reason for the USCG having their rescue boat training facility right near the mouth of the Columbia river... It ain't because the trees are so pretty...