Portland winter cruising

[II Lucky]

It is tough to see the boat everyday parked next to the barn. I would like to get out for a weekend or two. Is Sand Island and Coon Isand good destinations during higher water in the winter months? Any suggestions on where we could tie up to watch the Christmas ships? Does the St.Helens dock get alot of use this time of year? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[heymagic]

Welcome to the forum. We do have a couple members in the Portland area, hopefully the jump in and answer your questions. Gene

[Numbknots]

IILucky,

I live over in Battle Ground. I have never had my big boat on the Columbia but I have flown all up and down the river in my Bush plane. The south east end of Sand Island has a pretty good place to get out of the current and if you have a small boat you can beach it and camp light a bonfire or what ever. There is also a nice dock on the East end of Government Island that is a favorite of lots of river boaters. What type/length boat do you have?

Tim

[Fred P]

IILucky,

We were out the other day on a friends boat. We went out of Ridefield. We did a little fishing near the mouth of the Lewis, no catching. It was raining and there was a little wind. We saw three or four other boats. It was a nice boat ride. I had my boat out two weeks ago. We put in at the Vancouver ramp. After breakfast at the Quay we ran up near the air port and did not get any fish that we could bring home. There are still a few boats on the river

I am North of Battle Ground Three miles east of Tim.

Fred P.....................

[II Lucky]

Thanks for the replies. I guess I should have mentioned the type and length of boat. We have a Maxum 2700 SCR and this is our first season with the boat. I know that a lot of debris is in the river this time of year and that river height is also a concern. I have put the boat in at Vancouver and Willamette park this season. The Vancouver ramp works well in that we can go up around Government Island, up the Willamette, or Multnomah Channel. I was not aware of a dock at G Island. Any comments on the docks at Coon Island this time of year?

[Fred P]

IILucky,

You may want to get to know some of us with the Vancouver Power Squadron. The group has a lot of information on boating on the Columbia and a fun bunch of folks.

http://www.usps.org/localusps/ftvan/

Fred P..................

[SomeSailor]

Glad to see more of you guys from down South showing up. Nice to see the board spreading out a bit. Folks from Alaska, BC, Washington and Oregon. Also folks from as far and remote as the Netherlands... and Wenatchee... :D

[coolchange]

Welcome to the board...

I have spent a lot of time in the Willamette and Columbia (below G. Island) and here are some of my thoughts:

Debris is always a problem in the winter so keep a watch and dont (IMHO) be out after dark unless you have to.

The Christmas ships go right past Wilamette park you could hope for a tie up there or anchor off Ross Island, or try for a spot at the downtown docks For my money I would stay off the water at that time.

Cruising a trailer boat has a problem of where can you leave the rig (safely) while you are gone for a few days...I dont have many recommendations but you could call some of the launches and ask....I think Longview has overnight, Kalama winks at overnights but the ramp is really steep and my favorite place is Cathlamet (elochaman Slough) on the WA side near Puget Island $5 launch and retrieve leave the rig as long as you want ...talk to the folks in office, best hot showers on the river, easy run to Astoria and points west (watch the weather this is some big water and can get messy. Tide will make a difference in best times to go in and out....try mid to high

I always like the run down the Mult Channel: Hadley, Coon Island, Sand Island and St. Helens all great places to spend some time....be aware that in the afternoon the wind can come up, big time, in the area of ST. Helens

If you want to get gas or need help on the channel keep Rocky Point Marina in mind....they have a 10 cents off day for fuel call and ask if its in the winter

enough, if you want more details youre welcome to ask.

and in the words of a departed fill out the bio it helps ( I better check and see if mine is there)

(If I only had a boat I would consider meeting up....I gave it to a mechanic who has turned it into a cat box)




:D

[SomeSailor]

Just make sure Gene changes the litter in your boat every once in awhile... :D

[II Lucky]

Thanks for the replies and happy boating.

[Go Aweigh2452]

II Lucky, you are welcome to use our home as a jumping off point if you'd like. Got a nice walkout basement apartment and lots of driveway to park...

I am sure others on this board would also offer up a place to jump from...
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[Numbknots]

Coolchange,

Be careful of Gene, If he gets to liking you boat to much he will offer to buy it from you and then you will have to go looking for another boat????

Not to worry, Missy does the housework so you can bet the litter box will get dumped, (I think she is using some of Gene's floor dry from the shop?)

Tim