Alaskan Sea-Duction: Chapter 2 Astoria to Neah Bay

After 13 hours of a slightly uncomfortable ride we are sitting in Neah Bay. Left Astoria at 0600m just as the sun was peaking over the mountains. We contemplating leaving earlier, but were scared of crab pots. As the sun broke we were in the middle of the Columbia River Bar. Mid-Channel had swells at 6 feet, but calm. As we got further into it the wind was blowing from the south and made for "confused seas." Once we were clear of the North Jetty and Peacock area, we turned NNW out to sea. Once we were a few miles, we got out of the Columbia River zone and the seas were fine with a south wind, wind waves 2 feet and swells at 8 feet, 13 seconds apart. Raised the Cats to a purr at 2150rpms and we were on our way at 12 kts.

Our first waypoint would put us off shore 33.5 miles. We saw whales and dolphins all over the place. One sad note. We saw a baby whale stuck in a green net. Oh and yes on our way out there we saw crab pots everywhere! Some idiot also painted his floats BLACK! yeah black. We are scared of crab traps as they can do lots of damage. Once we were 33 miles out, in 450 feet of water, no crab traps all the way to Neah Bay!

When we were across from Gray's Harbor we started to get shore wind from the east. I had swells on the port bow and these 3-4 foot wind waves from the stbd bow. Made an uncomfortable situation. Another 50 miles and the wind shifted to the south. This pushed the stern and made steering difficult. You got a workout on the wheel. Across from La Push we had everything and confused seas. Once we started toward Cape Flattery the seas died down and we were making almost 15mph!

Never being to Juan De Fuca Straits, it was hard to figure out the entrance. Trust the electronics, but I couldn't help to wonder how Cap'ts Cook and Vancouver missed this entrance at first. We called the Neah Bay marina and got a slip assignment of A-4. Cool. When we were about 4nm from Cape Flattery, we called Prince Rupert Traffic to report our position and intensions. They appreciated us calling. Pulled into Neah Bay with plenty of daylight, but we were tired.

It was a good run, but after 13 hours we were wore out! mmm Auto pilot...Kay!!!!!

Hope you followed us. We will spend a day or two here to explore this Native American Village