dale: a tide table isn't enough as it will only tell you heights and time, NOT current. many marine GPS units have the tide tables (my GPS 76map does for example). for tides and _currents_ you want - Current Atlas: Juan de Fuca Strait to/a Strait of Georgia by The Canadian Hydrographic Service to use the above get the yearly Washburne's Tables plan your passage to use the tide in your favor, or be slack. tidal range is usually 10 to 15 feet. in general the greater the difference between low and high tide the greater the current. the _pattern_ is for the wind to build in the afternoon. can be strong in the afternoon into early evening on strait of georgia, rosario strait, haro strait, boundary pass and strait of juan de fuca. wind is usually from the north during good weather. poor weather brings southerly winds. again ... usually. wind is almost always westerly in strait of juan de fuca. depending on the pressure difference between georgia and juan de fuca straits the wind may blow north or south in rosario & haro straits and boundary pass. when in the islands (ie, south of the strait of georgia, north of juan de fuca, east of haro strait and west of rosario strait) the winds can be variable: blowing 20 and then around the point dead calm. i've needed to motor in the islands when a gale is blowing on stait of juan de fuca. NOTE: the above description does not include sucia as this northern island is best seen as being part of the south portion of strait of georgia. when crossing rosario be aware of how the current will set your course over ground. be aware of the sea state as a contrary wind to the tide can make for rough seas. tide rip locations are well known and noted on many charts and in the guides below. best books on the area - * Exploring the San Juan and Gulf Islands: Cruising Paradise of the Pacific Northwest (2nd ed), by Don Douglass and Reanne Hemingway-Douglass (detailed and the best of the three) * A Cruising Guide to Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands: Olympia to Port Angeles by Migael Scherer * A Dreamspeaker Cruising Guide: Vol. 4 - The San Juan Islands, 1st Ed. by Anne Yeadon-Jones and Laurence Yeadon-Jones some like the yearly (i'm not a fan) - Waggoner Cruising Guide 2011: The Complete Boating Reference by Robert Hale (waggoner guide is good for more up-to-date information on anchorages, tourist stuff and marinas; not so good on technical information on traveling the local waterways.) :: Dave Scobie :: been sailing the san juan since the late 1970s :: M17 #375 - SWEET PEA - www.m17-375.webs.com :: Sage Marine - www.sagemarine.us
----- Original Message ---- From: "nummij@aol.com" Sent: Sat, March 26, 2011 2:33:02 PM
Hi I am going sailing with some friends in the San Juan Islands. I was chosen for being responsible for knowing the tides. I am hoping you can point me in the right direction for a tide tables book with currents. We are launching at Washington park in Anacortes, WA, going to Orcas Island. Any and all help will be appreciated. I can navigate but I have never had to deal with tides. If you want to contact me off the list numij@aol.com is the best way. Thank you all for the great posts
Dale Nummi M17 LENTO KALA Superior, WI