Peter: The things to know about crossing the Juan de Fuca Straits - #1 understand the wind pattern - late spring, summer and early fall lightest winds are morning to early afternoon. wind builds from the west and likely a SCA to gale in the mid-afternoon through nightfall. In general if it is blowing in the morning don't go. some of the worse winds are in the Race Rocks area. In a westerly once north of this area headed the final way to the Victoria Harbour entrance you starting getting into the lee of Vancouver Island. winds are usually lighter east of the 'constriction' between Race Rocks and the WA coast. review forecasts the days prior to see how the weather is cycling and the difference between what was predicted and actually happened. Weather forecasts from NOAA are in three zones for the Strait: west, central and east. the US reports to read/listen are central and east - central - https://marine.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=PZZ131#.XE3J5VVKiUk east - https://marine.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=pzz132#.XE3JfFVKiUk the Canadian forecasts use slightly different zone names. East in CN forecasts are the waters north of the NOAA central area - https://weather.gc.ca/marine/forecast_e.html?mapID=02&siteID=07003 the Haro Strait CN forecast helps understand what is happening on the NW 'side' of NOAAs East Strait forecast - https://weather.gc.ca/marine/forecast_e.html?mapID=02&siteID=06100 further reading that assists one understand the wind's behaviors along the entire Salish Sea - 'Taken By the Wind: The Northwest Coast: A Guide to Sailing the Coasts of British Columbia and Southeast Alaska' by Marilyn Johnson ( https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1532895666/ ) #2 fog: calm winds and warm air means fog. usually this comes up overnight or just as the sun rises. if there is no wind it may never clear. Spring and Fall are the worse fog 'seasons'. #3 wind against current: if there is a strong west wind against the ebb tide the Strait can get UGLY. same can be said for a flood tide against the rare late spring, summer and early fall easterly blow. FYI - August is commonly called FOGust. #4 BIG SHIPS GOING FAST. keep an eye out for these ;-) you can listen to VHF channel 5A as large ships will report. you can also let Vessel Traffic know you are in the area if fog and/or heavy winds. The crossing is doable and has been done, many times, by M15s. During the first run of the Race to Alaska (R2AK 2015) a M15 took part in Sage 1 (Port Townsend to Victoria). The day started winds 20-25kts and seas 2-5'. The dayswas different in the winds moderated - not at all normal. The team crossed with no issues ... and when they arrived i checked their rig: it was way to loose. as it wasn't lost shows you how Jerry overdesinged the rig! :: Dave Scobie :: M17 #375 SWEET PEA - https://m17-375.com/ <http://www.m17-375.webs.com> FOR SALE! :: SV SWALLOW - https://sv-swallow.com :: Montgomery 6'8" #650 :: Truck camper - https://truckpopupcamper.wordpress.com/ :: Ramblings - https://scoobsramblings.wordpress.com/ :: former M15 owner #288 - http://www.freewebs.com/m15-name-scred On Sat, Jan 26, 2019 at 12:57 PM Peter Zimowsky via montgomery_boats < montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> wrote:
Hi all: Planning my cruise in the San Juans and Canada for August. Wondering about launching at Port Angeles and crossing over to Victoria in my M15. Been on several cruises in the SJs but never on this larger open water. Any warnings, advice, suggestions. Thanks all,
Pete Winter Sky (Zimowsky)
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