An Invitation to Cruise the Lower Columbia River Estuary

[Bruce Bateau]

This is the time of year where I am tired of being cooped up by the dark and rain and cold. I start to plot adventures and bug people to think ahead about all things to do in the long, pleasant days of the PNW summer.


I may regret letting the cat out of the bag, but I need some company. I'm looking for four good sail and oar boaters to join me on a summer cruise on the Lower Columbia River Estuary.



There are thousands of acres of marsh, gazillion gallons of water (mostly fresh), virtually no mosquitoes, and a cool variety of places to anchor from wild, to city, to historic.

[Bruce Bateau]

This isn't like a carnival cruise, where Gopher tells you the activities for the day. This is a ton of fun, but also some responsibility for everyone being self sufficient, comfortable running aground (welcome to the club), being content shifting plans with the weather, and telling tall tales around the campfire or wherever we end up.

[Hugh MacD]

Following I probably won't have time to join in, but I'll be watching with interest. Maybe I can sneak out for one day to join folks.

[WI-Tom]

If it were just a bit closer to my neighborhood, I'd be in for sure, Bruce. But...

A Long Way.jpg

Tom

[Bruce Bateau]

If you can get here, we'll find you a boat!

[rgthom]

Oooh, I need something to look forward to as well, not so much from the weather now the atmospheric rivers seem over but just because I am stuck in my office looking at a parking lot. I could make a trip of it and visit my brother up in Everett. Would have to get the admiral's permission...

Any objection to a solar electric and oar camp cruising Walkabout? I am self sufficient and can generally cover 20 miles a day by oar, up to 40 with plenty of sun. I regularly cruise in company with a band of sailors on the Sacramento Delta, sometimes making myself useful as the towboat



- Rick

[sandtown]

If I were just a few years earlier in my retirement . . .

Sailors, as long as you are physically able, don't pass up opportunities like these.

Infirmity can grab you at any time !!

[Canoeyawl]

Oooh, I need something to look forward to as well, not so much from the weather now the atmospheric rivers seem over but just because I am stuck in my office looking at a parking lot. I could make a trip of it and visit my brother up in Everett. Would have to get the admiral's permission...

Any objection to a solar electric and oar camp cruising Walkabout? I am self sufficient and can generally cover 20 miles a day by oar, up to 40 with plenty of sun.

- Rick

I love that estuary, used to stumble around there back in the 70's when the canneries were still going concerns, the Jenny Decker and Salvage Chief were the Big Boats in the basin, and you could buy a 2 story house on the river with indoor plumbing for $3k. (not a typo)
My clutch may now be slipping a bit, but I don't recall an abundance of sunshine...

[Yeadon]

Why four?

[Bruce Bateau]

Why four?

Uh, cause I want to re-create this scene:

[Bruce Bateau]

I love that estuary, used to stumble around there back in the 70's when the canneries were still going concerns, the Jenny Decker and Salvage Chief were the Big Boats in the basin, and you could buy a 2 story house on the river with indoor plumbing for $3k. (not a typo)
My clutch may now be slipping a bit, but I don't recall an abundance of sunshine...

I had breakfast on the Salvage Chief a few years ago. That was a memorable experience... Sunshine? Just come in August. You can even swim without freezing off your tender bits then!

[Canoeyawl]

Been there in August, but was working week long trips offshore.

I have been wondering about Jennie Decker for a long time now, she was a pretty famous vessel. I first read about her in "Fish and Ships" and to actually see her in the flesh still working at 70 years old, now that was something.
118 years is a long career for a wooden fishing vessel, and she looks much better in this image than she ever did when I saw her. I would like to know more about her demise, it sounds pretty grim.

"The Jennie F. Decker spent a long life in the fishing business, and occasionally came to the notice of the newspapers. Built in 1901 as a two-masted sailing halibut schooner, she was converted to power in 1907, and in the 1920s and '30s continued long-lining for halibut off the Oregon and Washington coast."

The Chinook Observer

96AAE7A3-87E7-4E4F-B99E-D8E34A1B4AF5.jpg

[Bruce Bateau]

I dug up a picture of the Salvage Chief. It was fun to explore all around her:

[Bruce Bateau]

Why four?

Also, if I invited more than four people, things might start to look like this out there:

[pez_leon]

This is a very kind invitation, Bruce, and I am sorely tempted. I suspect that between work and kids August would be a no go for me, and really I can't commit to anything at any time. But I'm very glad you put the invitation out there and hope to read a report of your exploits!

James

[Yeadon]

No more than five is smart. And five is a lot of opinions. I might make it this year. Or next year. But sometime I'll sail with you out to Astoria and back. I've never made that run. I was born along the Lower Columbia too.

[Eric Hvalsoe]

I would like to see that area.

[cstevens]

If I had a suitable boat I would be all in for this Bruce! As it is I could do the "oar" part, but the sailing bits would be rather more difficult.

[Chris-on-the-Boat]

From Cathlamet to Cape Disappointment is one of the most beautiful stretches of river in the country, and mostly untouched. Lots of side trips, channels, islands and history. If my wife ever dumps me I'll be living on an old troller in Cathlamet, with an old dog. Love that town.

I look forward to seeing your posts on this. August is king salmon season off the central Oregon coast, no time for sight seeing.

[Hugh MacD]

If I had a suitable boat I would be all in for this Bruce! As it is I could do the "oar" part, but the sailing bits would be rather more difficult.

Chris, would you deem a Joel White "Shearwater" adequate? I have the one built by Rick Stover that you could use. He built it without the CB so she has zero upwind capability, but he did do the lugsail. Might be kinda small for this sort of trip, but the offer's out there!
IMG_4999.jpg

[cstevens]

Chris, would you deem a Joel White "Shearwater" adequate? I have the one built by Rick Stover that you could use. He built it without the CB so she has zero upwind capability, but he did do the lugsail. Might be kinda small for this sort of trip, but the offer's out there!

That's a lovely boat and a great offer Hugh! I may take you up on it if Bruce still has room in the flotilla and depending on when this little excursion plans to set sail. Regarding the upwind performance, what is the adage? "Gentlemen don't sail to weather" or something like that? I'm not much of a gentleman, but I guess that's when the oar part of the experience would happen in any case.

[Bruce Bateau]

Thanks for the interest folks. Get your paddles ready, oars may dig too deep!

Practice your capsize drills.

Sew your fog tent.

And make sure I have your e-mail address.

I'll send out a survey for the best date for folks in the spring.

-Bruce

[Marty J]

Gentlemen don't sail to weather. [They pay other people to do it for them.]

[Hugh MacD]

That's a lovely boat and a great offer Hugh! I may take you up on it if Bruce still has room in the flotilla and depending on when this little excursion plans to set sail. Regarding the upwind performance, what is the adage? "Gentlemen don't sail to weather" or something like that? I'm not much of a gentleman, but I guess that's when the oar part of the experience would happen in any case.

Our daughter will be here from Oz to help finishing projects on the house (and my knee surgery recovery) so no point in denying someone an opportunity. Lemme know