|
|
Rank: Member
Joined: 7/29/2009
Posts: 3
Location: Port Townsend
|
Hi All,
Having no experience on the Columbia I'm very interested in opinions on boat choice. Does the anticipated route favor a 900 pound + gear 16-foot cabin sailboat with 2-foot fixed shoal draft and 5-hp outboard, or a very light 14-foot open sprit-rigged skiff with oars and 1.5 hp outboard? I'd originally planned on the larger boat but after some investigation decided any sort of fixed draft might be a big drawback if we're going to be traveling or overnighting in "canoe trail" shallows. But reading the itinerary it looks like almost all of the stopping points will have some sort of typical moorage options.
The larger boat is much more comfortable and capable, but it will obviously need to anchor out a little bit--which presumably means an inflatable dinghy or some other solution. The smaller skiff would be much more exposed (and FULL with 2 men and a bunch of gear) but it will probably be light enough to drag completely up a beach as needed and I like that rowing would be an option.
Appreciate your thoughts.
Josh
|
|
Rank: Member
Joined: 8/18/2008
Posts: 52
Location: Salem, OR
|
Josh (and others) the route is starting to look doable by shoal keeled boats. Now that I found out there is a dock at Walker Island, you might be OK in Swallow. Check out: http://columbia150.com/route/090730_columbia/research_start.htm
|
|
Rank: Member
Joined: 7/29/2009
Posts: 3
Location: Port Townsend
|
Thanks for the new info. We've decided to take the "big" boat ;-)
|
|
Rank: Member
Joined: 3/15/2009
Posts: 15
Location: Astoria
|
Agree. None of the channels Andrew has described in the lower portion will be a barrier to a shoal draft of 2 feet. Even the thin parts of the Prairie Channel should be OK at mid-water and higher. Only at 1-2 ft on the tide book and lower would you run into trouble. Mind, there will be some "channel shopping" near Devils Elbow and at Settlers Point. But, the bottom is soft or sandy, and even if you do graze it, should be no damage.
|
|
Rank: Member
Joined: 7/29/2009
Posts: 3
Location: Port Townsend
|
Thanks, Dave. Appreciate the info.
|
|
|
Guest |